Horns - Hoot Hoot

[John100156]

Everyone says good but expensive about the Kahlenburg. But what was the ££££?

High cost, it’s true, but quality was good so I was not disappointed. I just got fed up with previous horns failing after a while. Can’t remember how long I had them on my F43 but worked as good as new when I sold the boat!

 

[Elessar]

High cost, it’s true, but quality was good so I was not disappointed. I just got fed up with previous horns failing after a while. Can’t remember how long I had them on my F43 but worked as good as new when I sold the boat!

My question was literal John. Nowhere can I find an actual price! How much did they cost?

 

[henryf]

Just out of ignorance, but what do you need the horn for (other than the Queens Jubilee hoot and very occasional fog)?
Never heard of a private sailing yacht having an installed horn.

There are some commonly used signals.

1 blast turning to starboard
2 blasts turning to port
3 blasts reverse propulsion engaged
5 blasts I am unsure of your intentions - or similar.

We don’t use the first 3 routinely but it can be useful. Leaving the Cowes fuel pontoon on a busy weekend with boats waiting to dock it signals our intention. Of course it does assume knowledge on the part of other vessels which is sporadic. But I’ve done as much as I can to help other skippers help themselves. If nothing else people look thinking what the hell is that all about and realise we are moving.

5 blasts can be handy every now and again. In most instances I will try to avoid but once again it lessens the chances of an accident When applicable.

Henry

 

[John100156]

My question was literal John. Nowhere can I find an actual price! How much did they cost?

I am away at the moment at Studley Castle will dig out the cost when I get back on Monday - it was quite a while ago. I bought the double horns, compressor and air receiver which I mounted just below the eyebrow and used existing wiring to previous horns. Bit noisy when on but only topped up receiver infrequently! If my existing horns fail I would buy another set but mount the compressor further away albeit closer the better I suspect.

 

[tico]

Used 5 blasts yesterday! Commercial boat approaching from my port side while holding for a lock.

 

[dunedin]

There are some commonly used signals.

1 blast turning to starboard
2 blasts turning to port
3 blasts reverse propulsion engaged
5 blasts I am unsure of your intentions - or similar.

We don’t use the first 3 routinely but it can be useful. Leaving the Cowes fuel pontoon on a busy weekend with boats waiting to dock it signals our intention. Of course it does assume knowledge on the part of other vessels which is sporadic. But I’ve done as much as I can to help other skippers help themselves. If nothing else people look thinking what the hell is that all about and realise we are moving.

5 blasts can be handy every now and again. In most instances I will try to avoid but once again it lessens the chances of an accident When applicable.

Henry

Interesting thanks. I know the official signals, but in decades of boating have only ever heard such signals used by large commercial ships. I don’t frequent the Solent, but never heard a yacht sized yacht (ie below superyacht size) sound a horn for such signals.

Thinking further about it, which I haven’t previously, for things like boats leaving fuel dock we instinctively look for signs like somebody moving to attend to the ropes etc, rather than expecting any signals. In the melee of boats around a fuel dock in France mid summer, if yachts had horns it would be deafening - as more like dodgems than ColRegs

I will keep my manually blown fog horn for fog and opening bridges in canals.

 

[Fire99]

Well I should have Fiamm TA Dual horns on the way so I'll let everyone know how they respond..
I actually also carry a handheld pumpable horn which is mega loud but the boat deserves some fixed trumpets where the previous mounting holes are located..
I think it comes with a half decent warranty so let's see how hooty mc hoot hoot my little ship becomes.

 

[John100156]

Interesting thanks. I know the official signals, but in decades of boating have only ever heard such signals used by large commercial ships. I don’t frequent the Solent, but never heard a yacht sized yacht (ie below superyacht size) sound a horn for such signals.....

Here's a good reason..........

From cruise liners to destroyers, frigates to motor cruisers, narrowboats to ferries, if you’ve got a horn, then blow it!

On Saturday 4 June, to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, there will be a ‘Ships Salute’ where every vessel, in every UK harbour, is being asked to sound a simultaneous long loud blast on their horn or whistle at exactly midday (12.00 BST).....

Good old Lizzy, deserves a good blast!

 

[Elessar]

Interesting thanks. I know the official signals, but in decades of boating have only ever heard such signals used by large commercial ships. I don’t frequent the Solent, but never heard a yacht sized yacht (ie below superyacht size) sound a horn for such signals.

Thinking further about it, which I haven’t previously, for things like boats leaving fuel dock we instinctively look for signs like somebody moving to attend to the ropes etc, rather than expecting any signals. In the melee of boats around a fuel dock in France mid summer, if yachts had horns it would be deafening - as more like dodgems than ColRegs

I will keep my manually blown fog horn for fog and opening bridges in canals.

It’s part of the colregs. And most yachts are not capable of complying which is shocking.

It’s a method of communication. Professional mariners such as ferry captains know them and would much prefer a clear hoot than a “guess what I’m going to do”.

As Henry said it’s hit and miss if others know them. Two hoots to clarify you are passing green to green for example and some think you are beeping them.

 

[dunedin]

It’s part of the colregs. And most yachts are not capable of complying which is shocking.

It’s a method of communication. Professional mariners such as ferry captains know them and would much prefer a clear hoot than a “guess what I’m going to do”.

As Henry said it’s hit and miss if others know them. Two hoots to clarify you are passing green to green for example and some think you are beeping them.

Every yacht I know of IS CAPABLE of making sound signals - eg in fog as I stated. Generally a horn sounded by blowing or a small canister.

What i said was that I have never heard any yacht, sail or power, under 30m or so using these sound signals other than in fog. but only sailed for a few decades and tens of thousands of miles.

 

[Elessar]

Every yacht I know of IS CAPABLE of making sound signals - eg in fog as I stated. Generally a horn sounded by blowing or a small canister.

What i said was that I have never heard any yacht, sail or power, under 30m or so using these sound signals other than in fog. but only sailed for a few decades and tens of thousands of miles.

What going down below to get a canister when you are in a close quarters situation?
Not really “capable”

I use sound signals. And I’ve heard others do so.

But yotties tend to treat them like a motoring cone - a curiosity to be used only during your yachtmaster exam.

 

[John100156]

Yep - I have certainly used my horns for signals before, even had correct replies when intending to overtake in the past, where giving a wide berth was not possible, which was comforting, not often I do agree, but useful when needed, like much of the kit we have on board. I would consider good working horns essential.

On one occasion, I gave 5 when approaching a SY at a reasonable distance that seemed to be running a bit erratic in the straits of Gib. on a busy day, with some big ships around!

The crew seemed very busy on board and when they heard our signal as we approached, they used hand signals to tell us they were in trouble. They had an experienced crew on board, there was no wind, they lost power (not a good place to do that) so we approached slowly and lashed them to us and dragged them back to the marina. I can’t tell you how truly relieved and happy they were! Turned out they lost their prop!

If it had not been so busy, I may well have just given them a wide berth and slowly passed, as I would normally do, it had just happened to them so they were still working out what had gone wrong. They did not notice us creeping up on them, but in that instance they recognised the signal and what I was asking!