I remember the grin on Ralph's face when he yanked the pull cord for the
horn.  I really think I may have overdone it with this one.

And Jon, not it's not 12 volt, it's compressed air.  There is a small tank
and compressor in the engine room.  There's an air valve with pull cord on
the pilothouse ceiling, and the 4 trumpets on the roof.  The compressor
does run on 12 volts DC.

Ya can get various versions here:
http://www.buellairhorns.com/

Fred
Tug 44

From: "jonathan olenick" jdolenickmd@yahoo.com
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 7:15 PM
To: "Ralph@alphacompservices.com" Ralph@alphacompservices.com
Subject: Re: GL: ... Re:  non-radio slow pass

Fred, Is the AMTRACK horn 12 volt electric?? If so how do I obtain one.
Jon,Nordic Tug 37, Valentine.

From: Ralph Yost ralph@alphacompservices.com
To: fred@tug44.org; 'great loop' great-loop@lists.trawlering.com
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 3:41 PM
Subject: Re: GL: ... Re: non-radio slow pass

And I can tell you first hand....it is LOUD.
R,

-----Original Message-----
From: great-loop-bounces@lists.trawlering.com
[mailto:great-loop-bounces@lists.trawlering.com] On Behalf Of
fred@tug44.org
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 5:33 PM
To: great loop
Subject: Re: GL: ... Re: non-radio slow pass

Most boaters are clueless about signals ... and probably about everything
else.  That is why there is an Amtrack horn on my boat.  I point my boat
in
the right direction to make my intentions abundantly clear and then I make
them think a train is approaching.  Occasionally they notice.

Fred
Tug 44

Ya can get various versions here:  http://www.buellairhorns.com/

Fred

We have a dual Buell horn on Viking Star - I will always remember the look
on my wife's face when she opened the garage door (and very quickly closed
it) just as I was starting to testing it :-)

It does get attention; I have yet to have another boat not notice it.  Now -
even if they noticed it few (actually none) really changed their action.
But I was clear in signaling what I intended to do, and they at least
started looking my way.

Will also comment - we use a 120v compressor (Thomas T-35HD + an extra 3
gallon air tank) that is part of the hookah system.  I notice during Fog
even this compressor works to keep up with the air demand.  I do have a
backup 12v compressor as well, but would not want to depend on it for our
primary compressor during fog.  (I did fall back to it once, and had to cut
my sounding time short - plus stretched out the time between signals)

So LOUD horns are GREAT.  But do make sure you have a GOOD air source.

And yes - I too get a Big Grin whenever I get to sound the horn for show.
Plus a really obvious eye-roll from my wife . . . .

-al-

Viking Star
45' Monk Sr. / McQueen
mvVikingStar.blogspot.com