Horn Recommendations for SPORT 15

[pistolpete]

Q1: where can a horn be mounted on a 1978 SPORT 15?

Q2: can a horn be mounted to the console of a 1978 SPORT 15?

Q3: what manufacturer and model designator of horn is recommended for mounting on a 1978 SPORT 15?

[Jefecinco]

I also wanted a horn on our 1981 Sport 13 but didn't want to add anything to our nice console. We opted for a hand held horn with a replaceable canister of compressed air. It is easily as loud as an electric horn at a fraction of the cost and effort of wiring it to a switch and to the battery. We keep it close at hand in case of an immediate need. The horns can be found at virtually any boating store and I believe I saw one at our local Walmart.

[jimh]

Continuing in the manner suggested by Jefecinco, I have to note that on my 1990 REVENGE 22 I have an air horn, which by now is at least 21-year-old and probably older. The horn still works--at least it did the last time I tested it. I don't recall ever using the horn while underway in the boat in the last 21 years, other than maybe testing it once or twice to see if it worked. The only reason I carry the horn is to be in compliance with the USCG required safety equipment on the boat. I have been boarded by the USCG or other on-water law enforcement agencies, and being able to produce the air horn has satisfied their request to demonstrate the vessel has the proper gear aboard.

The regulatory basis for need to have a horn is in the ColRegs (both International and Inland) at RULE 33(a), wherein a list of required "Equipment for Sound Signals" is stated. However in RULE 33(b) there is an exemption provided for smaller vessels:

RULE 33(b) A vessel of less than 12 meters in length shall not be obliged to carry
the sound signaling appliances prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule but
if she does not, she shall be provided with some other means of making an
efficient sound signal.

Source: https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/sites/defau ... vrules.pdf

Certainly a SPORT 15 would qualify for the RULE33(b) exemption. All you really need is a whistle.

[jimh]

My earlier remarks about horns notwithstanding, here is a nice air horn for use as a marine horn:

Kahlenberg Zero Series Dual Marine Air Horns
$686.99
https://defender.com/en_us/kahlenberg-z ... -air-horns

Kahlenberg Compressor/Tank Kit - CO/36331/012DC/00
$496.99
https://defender.com/en_us/kahlenberg-c ... 1-012dc-00

Kahlenberg Horn Solenoid Valve Kit
$63.99
https://defender.com/en_us/kahlenberg-h ... -valve-kit

In addition you will need to have an branch circuit from your 12-Volt house battery, a fuse or circuit breaker, and some sort of momentary switch to operate the horn.

It is a bit expensive at about $1,240 for the air compressor, valve, and horn. And you will need some fittings and tubing to route the air to the horn, maybe another $50. And for the electrical components, perhaps another $50, bringing the total cost to around $1,340. That does seem a bit excessive, but the outcome--a beautiful two-tone marine vessel horn--will be quite impressive.

Going in the other direction, a small handheld air horn can be bought for about $10. This might be the most practical for a 15-foot open boat. Here is one vendor's listing:

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/qu ... u=22669923

[pistolpete]

Thanks for your inputs. I will buy an air horn with [an aerosol-type] gas canister. The expense of a powered horn cannot be justified.

That battery-operated (non-12-Volt) horns are not being made is [unfortunate].

[jimh]

Between $10 and $1,700 there are a lot of options for a device for producing "an efficient sound signal."

I have noticed that many new boats are equipped with a small electrically operated horn and have a switch at the helm console marked HORN. I assume the boat manufacturers are doing this so these boats, even though most of then are less than 12-meters in length (40-feet), will come equipped with a horn. I can appreciate the thinking on this.

Imagine you just bought a new boat, say a 210 MONTAUK, and you take it out for the first time. The USCG stops you, comes aboard, and demands a safety equipment inspection. You need to show them all the safety gear required. Oh, sure, you have PFD's for crew; you have a fire extinguisher (or two); you have a bailing bucket; you have daytime visual distress signals and nighttime visual distress signals. But where is the "efficient sound signal" device. Oh, yes, right here on the helm, with that switch marked "HORN."

Now if I just paid $150,000 for a 21-foot boat and I discovered, rather painfully and embarrassingly, that the boat builder did not include as standard equipment a device that would qualify as an "efficient sound signal" device, then I would be really upset.

The typical horn I have seen looks something like this one:

Fig. 1. ATTWOOD Low Profile 12-Volt Boat Horn, $41

loProfileBoatHornAttwood.jpg (16.92 KiB) Viewed 1521 times

Cf.: https://www.easternmarine.com/boat-horn-114787

By the way, I picked ATTWOOD because ATTWOOD is just a operating segment of Brunswick, much like Boston Whaler.