Those stinkpot peeps have weird sense of whats important!

First, I must declare I having an interest in a ship's whistle (horn) company (Kahlenberg UK Ltd). Having said that, here's some info.

Any (repeat 'any') vessel of 12m loa or more must be fitted with a horn that meets the COLREGS requirements. When buying a horn that meets these specs, it will come with a certificate of conformity from an approvals board to prove the fact.*

Two main problems exist to boat builders.

1) An approved horn is more expensive (and heavier) that the 'normal' electric horns usually fitted to leisure boats.

2) For yachts, the main question is where to fit it to stop it from snagging the sails?

COLREGS requirements are summarised here: http://www.kahlenberg.co.uk/attachm...quirements-Sound-Signalling-Kahlenberg-UK.pdf

Some FAQs: http://www.kahlenberg.co.uk/faqs

So with regard to wingless and his installation, at least he'll be heard even if his installation is somewhat 'over-engineered'.

* Note that a RENA certificate only covers the use of the horn whilst in Italian waters. RENA specs do not agree with COLREGS.
 
harstonwood said:
Stu.....what's your beef? You must have visited the motor boat forum to read the thread and now started this one on here?
I don't understand the need for "us and them" ( I own and operate both sail and power and don't subscribe to being in any camp) lets chill out and enjoy our time on the water!
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Aye, you're right
S
 
skipper_stu said:
He has fitted a serious air compressor system to blow his horns!
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...-Volume-High-Pressure-Oasis-Compressor-System
S
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Sorry I missed this topic in a forum I didn't visit...

It was stated in the second paragraph of the custom Oasis compressor topic that the compressor is also used for air tools at my home. I just stretch out a long hose and can use compressed air in my driveway for usage all day long. I stretch out a short hose and use air on my patio.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...-Volume-High-Pressure-Oasis-Compressor-System

As was stated in the topic, this was designed for 100% continuous duty cycle. This system is happy running air tools all day long. This has been VERY handy for me and my current automotive projects.

The Kahlenberg D-1 Chimetone air horns only need pressure w/ normal sized plumbing. This horn is LOUD! The tonal quality is outstanding. The finish is outstanding.

The Kahlenberg 117 whistle requires volume. It doesn't make a peep when using an air blow gun, but will sound when using lungs and lips to blow. I used 20' of 1" ID plumbing from the tank to ensure the whistle is happy. I LOVE the sweet sound of this whistle.

I would not hesitate to recommend any of the devices in these topics, including the Kahlenberg horn, whistle and the Oasis compressor.
 
quote "I LOVE the sweet sound of this whistle." quote
Sounds more like a comment from a steam train forum!
Good on you for fitting a decent horn/whistle, should clear the way of all those sail boats drifting around in the fog.
And remember 5 short blasts when they do that zig zag tacky thing right into your path just to upset you.
 
southseaian said:
quote "I LOVE the sweet sound of this whistle." quote
Sounds more like a comment from a steam train forum!
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There is LOTS of good information on the train horn forums.

A recent outing on the Jungle Queen steam boat started w/ three short blasts of their whistle. It sounded identical to mine.


southseaian said:
Good on you for fitting a decent horn/whistle, should clear the way of all those sail boats drifting around in the fog.
And remember 5 short blasts when they do that zig zag tacky thing right into your path just to upset you.
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What makes you think I am not also a sailor?

The whistle would be great in a fog. I have never seen fog in this area.
 
LittleSister said:
Foghorn Requiem, anyone?

'Performed by the Souter Lighthouse Foghorn, the Felling, Westoe and NASUWT Riverside brass bands, and the horns of sixty ships on the North Sea.'

There's a button about halfway down the following page to hear a recording of the Requiem.

http://foghornrequiem.org/documentation#.VYxcO1KBFrk
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Those clips are too long. What is the time index for the fog horn?

That horn system and structure look massive and are probably very loud.
 
I think its pretty cool. the ultimate horn would be the old whoop whoop horn used by the navy, waiting for someone to bring out an electronic one,
the person who could do this would probally make a few bob."!!
 
Piers said:
Any (repeat 'any') vessel of 12m loa or more must be fitted with a horn that meets the COLREGS requirements. When buying a horn that meets these specs, it will come with a certificate of conformity from an approvals board to prove the fact.

Two main problems exist to boat builders.

2) For yachts, the main question is where to fit it to stop it from snagging the sails?

COLREGS requirements are summarised here: http://www.kahlenberg.co.uk/attachme...lenberg-UK.pdf
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One option for a sailboat is to use a vertical whistle, instead of a horizontal horn, w/ a large trumpet that will get in the way. There are much better mounting options on a sailboat for a vertical cylindrical shape.

A whistle creates a unidirectional 360° sound, instead of the sound directed by the trumpet on a horn.

I don't know if the Kahlenberg whistle options satisfies the COLREGS requirements.
 
wingless said:
One option for a sailboat is to use a vertical whistle, instead of a horizontal horn, w/ a large trumpet that will get in the way. There are much better mounting options on a sailboat for a vertical cylindrical shape.

A whistle creates a unidirectional 360° sound, instead of the sound directed by the trumpet on a horn.

I don't know if the Kahlenberg whistle options satisfies the COLREGS requirements.
Click to expand...

Apart from the (assume expensive) Kahlenberg whistle, are there other ships whistles that people use on yachts? Never heard of that before, but I'd like something better than what I've got. Any recommendations for ships whistles please?
 
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richardm47 said:
Apart from the (assume expensive) Kahlenberg whistle, are there other ships whistles that people use on yachts? Never heard of that before, but I'd like something better than what I've got. Any recommendations for ships whistles please?
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The problem is that a proper whistle needs a lot of air. It's one thing to screw a self-contained unit to your mast and run a wire up to it, but quite another to find space for a compressor and the associated plumbing, and have the thing maintaining a pressure vessel all the time the boat's in use when the chances are you won't use the whistle at all in any particular trip.

All I've seen on larger yachts is an electric trumpet horn pointing downwards.

I use the hailer horn powered by my VHF, as described earlier in the thread. It's nestled between the legs of the radar mount on the mast, pointing forward and slightly downward.

Pete
 
richardm47 said:
Apart from the (assume expensive) Kahlenberg whistle, are there other ships whistles that people use on yachts? Never heard of that before, but I'd like something better than what I've got. Any recommendations for ships whistles please?
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Here is the topic on my whistle.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?429085-wingless-Kahlenberg-117-Whistle&highlight=

The pricing on the whistle is appropriate. They also offer their OUTSTANDING polishing and chrome plating for a reasonable cost. Mine is the natural brass / bronze so it now has a very nice patina.

Here are the other Kahlenberg whistles. Mine is a 117AMP. Smaller has a higher pitch, larger has a lower pitch. IMO the 117AMP is the most appropriate for a yacht.

http://www.kahlenberg.com/products/industrial-signaling/air-and-steam-whistles

The difficult and potentially costly aspect is the air supply and distribution. It can also be the most effort. (It was the MOST effort in my case.)

The best way to handle the air is to get a decent compressor and tank, then use a 1" ID air distribution up to the valve to provide an unrestricted column of pressurized air. A whistle uses LOTS of air. My 20" of 1" ID plumbing and my 15 gallon tank give me PLENTY of toots before the compressor kicks in.
 
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