Who has a horn in their boat?

[onerabbit]

Hi all,
after a bit of discussion in a recent thread I just wondering how many people have a good, loud horn fitted in there boat, for safetys sake?

[TimiBoy]

I have a compressed air horn in the grab bag

[garman1]

I thought about it now for a while, thanks for the thread.... I am going to add it to the grab bag, better safe than sorry. Doesn't weigh much or take up much room either

Garry

[PinHead]

came standard on the boat

[ozscott]

I have a compressed air horn that you re-charge with a compressor - I have it near me when driving. Someone in an unlit Cat mored in the middle of a channel go to hear it one night at midnight from about 4 metres away from the stateroom window...I think he would say it was deafening

Cheers

[dnej]

I am surprised it not compulsory,as a safety feature.
I installed one years ago,and have had an occasion to use it.
David

[Angla]

I have just put one of those portable ones in the boat. Close at hand for any emergency, but not hidden away in the grab bag.
I think that it is one of those things you may need straight away.

Chris

[leezor]

came standard on the boat

Me too, came standard with mine. Do any Australian boat manufacturers have them as standard?

[Noiseworks]

I carry the compressed air type as well. Haven't had to use it yet, but after reading the other thread, I'm happy i have it sitting next to me.

Noiseworks

[bassfanatic5]

My boat had one fitted as standard, i didn't know what this funny looking thing on the consol was untill i pushed the button on the dash, scared the crap out of me it's that loud.

[PinHead]

the big question is: how many know when to use it and do you use it?
(and no need for the double entendres..could recite many myself)

[Steve B]

the big question is: how many know when to use it and do you use it?
(and no need for the double entendres..could recite many myself)

Oooohh Pinhead....thats no fun

Seriously, that is a good question.

[tigermullet]

To be serious for a moment - no, a horn is not fitted and we don't carry one of the compressed air types either.

I have forgotten the horn signals but my friend has not. A couple of months ago we gave a short blast to indicate that we were overtaking on the starboard side of a boat. All that produced was a startled look from the skipper and all the passengers started giving us the finger.

My psyche was so damaged that I am still recovering from the rude episode.

Horns used as an emergency warning device might be ok but I think their day to day use is finished. Good thing too, otherwise our crowded waterways would sound like the inner city areas of under-developed countries. In the end we wouldn't know who was giving a legitimate signal or even know who it was who was signaling.

Evenings are bad enough with little yappy dogs and spotlights being shone all over the place without adding horn signals.

Besides, I cannot resist joining in when others start using spotlights. If my spotlight can be found quickly enough, I start waving it around too. Horns would be worse, I would find them irresistible.

[PinHead]

To be serious for a moment - no, a horn is not fitted and we don't carry one of the compressed air types either.

I have forgotten the horn signals but my friend has not. A couple of months ago we gave a short blast to indicate that we were overtaking on the starboard side of a boat. All that produced was a startled look from the skipper and all the passengers started giving us the finger.

My psyche was so damaged that I am still recovering from the rude episode.

Horns used as an emergency warning device might be ok but I think their day to day use is finished. Good thing too, otherwise our crowded waterways would sound like the inner city areas of under-developed countries. In the end we wouldn't know who was giving a legitimate signal or even know who it was who was signaling.

Evenings are bad enough with little yappy dogs and spotlights being shone all over the place without adding horn signals.

Besides, I cannot resist joining in when others start using spotlights. If my spotlight can be found quickly enough, I start waving it around too. Horns would be worse, I would find them irresistible.

I had the same happen TM..just laughed at the bloke. I did have another..at Horizon Shores..I had just untied my boat..was about to reverse out of berth..boat opposite was untying to do the same..still had one rope connected..gave the necessary 3 short balsts..he kept his last rope connected and gave a wave as I backed out and went on my way..made life very easy in that instance.

[tigermullet]

Well, that shows that at least one other person knows the purpose of signals and does not get upset, through ignorance, and get all rude and offensive.

Good to hear about. Perhaps sound signals could be better explained at the licencing stage.