Train horn for a boat horn?

s022mag

s022mag

New Member
Apr 17, 2017
28
Croton, OH
Boat Info
1998 330DA
Engines
7.4 EFIs
I have a Nathans Airchime that I got a few years back and had it mounted where the spare tire went on my truck. Thinking of mounting it on the radar arch when we acquire a Sea Ray. Anyone else do this?
 
Might create some controversy when you blow it. There is an old Chris Craft in Grand Haven that gets stopped for safety checks by the Coast Guard, probably because the boat is really old. I saw one such inspection in Frankfort Michigan while we were tied up facing Betsy Lake. The coastie was standing on the bow of the boat looking at running lights. Then he must have asked the skipper if he had a working horn and if so would he sound it. The horn sound nearly blew the guy into the water it was so loud. He was not too pleased. Spoke with the owner of the Chris later who got a real kick out of the experience. He told me he gets stopped every year when cruising in northern Lake Michigan.
 
I have the same horn placed under my Silverado with a stainless steel curved sound sheld. You can't miss the sound.

Placing it up on the arch would seriously mess up your hearing, you sure you want to do that?
 
dwna1a said:
I have the same horn placed under my Silverado with a stainless steel curved sound sheld. You can't miss the sound.

Placing it up on the arch would seriously mess up your hearing, you sure you want to do that?
Click to expand...
WHAD HE SAY?!
 
Many marina sheds are arranged in parallel. It is the custom, at least in my area, to blow the horn when entering the common fairway to give any potential cross-traffic a warning. A train horn would not ingratiate you to your new marina-mates in this situation. If you install it, consider doing so in addition to your normal horn so you can use it judiciously. (when some idiot really deserves a stern warning)
 
I have an air horn mounted on the Radar Arch and I brace myself every time I blow it. Sounds great but it’s literally three feet from my ear! If I had enough motivation I’d move it to the outside of bridge ahead of the starboard nav light!
 
I never considered that it would screw my hearing up being right above me. Good point! Also it would be in addition to the normal horn. I think the only way to control the loudness is to limit the pressure.

Up at PIB in the summer they play the National Anthem while they lower the flag at sunset. Everyone in the harbor blows there horn after its over. I just thought it would be cool to have one of the loudest.
 
I just looked at those horns on youtube. I don't think anyone would be very happy if you blew them near them, for any reason...
 
We have dual air horns on our arch. They are just loud enough to get the attention you are after. Not obnoxious at all. I would imagine a true train horn may be an overkill.....
 
I just installed a set on a customers truck.
They are VERY LOUD and can easily be heard from 6 blocks away.

A very short “toot” “toot” brings smiles to peoples faces, but anything more in a congested area would likely not be appreciated.

However, I’d love to hear them out on the open water!
 
If you are responsible for your wake can you be held responsible for the heart attacks you will cause? :D
 
I've added air horns to all the boats I've owned, including a 17ft runabout. The Sea Ray factory horns are a joke and are probably not even legal. My first cruiser didn't have an arch so I mounted the horns up on the bow next to the windlass and this is probably the ideal place if you can. Current boat has 3 trumpets on the hardtop. It's not too bad as long as the vent is closed. You don't want to be standing on the bow when I honk them but they are usually only needed while underway. I also have a switch so I can revert to the factory horn.
 
I am so envious of you guys.... If I fixed, replaced, upgraded everything on my list and the only thing left to mess with was the horn... I would be one happy camper :)
 
Have two sets on our 450, Arch and anchor box. Replaced the originals with the train horns from a big rig parts store.Don't blow them much but when I do its a event !!:):):eek:
 
Guess I'm the oddball out, I think train horns sound great on a boat - if done with moderation and courtesy. My CY has great factory horns, far better than my previous SR's - and there's a guy across from us that has a wonderful sounding set of train horns on his 420DA. Only does a couple of quick toot toots - and they sound great. If I had nothing else on the boat to spend money on, I'd do it, even though not needed.
 
Like I said, we would only use it when everyone else is blowing there horns which is right after the sunsets and the National Anthem is done playing. It would be nice to replace the stock horns with it but thats to much if I'm just trying to get someones attention. I know they need about 150psi to really scream, not sure if I can change to the psi to control the loudness.
 
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