Sundeck horn - design stupidity?

[Jdr01930]

I thought it was odd that the opening for the horn faced straight up to the sky on the bow of the boat. Seemed like it would just fill up with water.
But I assumed Sea Ray would have it worked out so there must be something under the cover to divert water or let it drain right?

Wrong. After a month or so (new boat) the horn stopped working.
Finally got around to pulling it out to inspect, and sure enough it's just a little speaker that points straight up, and fills with water with no way to drain.
The horn basically becomes a bowl of water. I drained it out, but not surprisingly it's toast.

I haven't checked with the dealer yet - just curious if others have encountered this...

 

[Banagy]

I had my boat since new but have not encountered any problems with the horn.

 

[blackdog043]

My 210 has the same set up, but there was fabric under the plastic cover so the water would not run into the horn. The material that they used rotted away, so I used a piece of house wrap under the cover, works great.

 

[Jdr01930]

I don't think there was any fabric in mine - just the stainless steel cover then horn with plastic baffle.
That might explain it.

 

[vanceboroguy]

Same thing with my new Sea Ray. Pulled horn apart, full of water. Printed curcuit board under that little speaker,imagine that! Horn was a joke anyway. Looking for a better design that will fit,since hole is already cut into my 185 Sport.

 

[jacktm]

I drilled a drain hole in mine, no problems since

 

[surfinjoe]

Same issue here. I drilled a hole and it worked for a while. Now nothing. Maybe it's tost, maybe the small hole got pluged and needs a bigger hole. I need to check this week.

 

[Weave]

Mine used to work last year....Now all I get is an audible click

 

[Jdr01930]

Yeah, I get that click too.
Never had a boat with a built in horn anyway, and I got portable compressed air horn anyway for safety, loudness, and something that will work if things get really tough (no power).

I had this thought that the factory horn was like the ignitor on a department store grill - they last a year, then after that you're on your own. However, continuing that line of thought, I would consider the Sea Ray brand to be more analogous to a Weber grill than a dept store grill. The ignitor on my Weber grill has worked first time every time for 10 years now. :grin:


Oh well - the hull is solid and the engine is great. If something's gotta fail in that first year I guess the horn is no biggy. And the fresh water sprayer pump that keeps acting up. And one of the blue cockpit LED's that failed after a few hours of on time. (We've been too busy having fun on the boat to even mention any of this to the dealer yet.)

 

[Lazy Daze]

If you find a solution, let me know. The problem is, at least as far as I know, there are no other manufacturers making a better compact horn. Replacing that fabric before it's worn out is about all I know of to keep them working. I hadn't thought of drilling a hole - that's an interesting idea. On the plus side, at least this is an inexpensive part... In fact, "cheap"... In "boat" dollars!

I'm glad this post came up. My horn works, but I haven't checked it in almost 4 years... Putting that on the "to do" list.

 

[quailrunner]

Did you find a model/make that fits? I'm looking for the same thing...

 

[themikehyde]

The original I just removed did not appear to have any fabric, the new one does. I will definately have to remember to stay away from the horn when washing the boat. I don't want it to get "wet" or anything!
HAHAHAHAHAHA! Come on Sea Ray, we deserve just a little better than this!

 

[Weave]

Does anyone know what the cost to replace this idiotic horn is?

 

[themikehyde]

Mine was $60.

 

[tpetpe]

I had the same issue with my 260 Sundeck. The horn was replaced under warranty with a new style horn. The new horn was not an exact fit - the hole had to be enlarged. Sounds the same as the old horn and looks just as nice.

 

[Weave]

part number?

 

[Bama Boater]

I have the same issue - no horn this year. I use compressed air.

 

[sdl22]

Crappy design.. My 2007 230 Select has the same horn... It has been replaced the first year under warranty. Now it blows once then dies off... Just havent felt like messing with it.. Another design flaw with the searay sportboat line.... horns and helm switches... My biggest *****....