[newbie]

can anyone reccomend a good electric horn?? not looking for a piece of junk thats going to break after a year or two. also of course, want people to be able to hear the thing when its needed, unlike whats there now.

also need to pickup a good light for my night trips to spot buoys/hazards. last 2 handhelds i had, dident stand upto the salt. think id be better off going handheld again, or fixed searchlight mounted on the bow for night-spotting?

 

[MakoMike]

As far as horns go, you'll probably be better off with an air horn with its own compressor. Much less prone to corroding away after a season or two, less owrking parts.

As for the light, you'd be better off without one. Turning on a white light at night for any reason will ruin your night vision for over 1/2 hour and also ruin the night vision of anyone else who can see it (including another boat you choose to "light up."

 

[newbie]

MakoMike wrote:

As for the light, you'd be better off without one. Turning on a white light at night for any reason will ruin your night vision for over 1/2 hour and also ruin the night vision of anyone else who can see it (including another boat you choose to "light up."

i was told awhile back to shine a spot every couple seconds quick to help "paint" my buoys so i can stay in channel. im not looking to keep the light on, on a consistant basis. so either i explained what i wanted wrong, or i got some bad lessons

not quite sure how to see my marks in pitch black otherwise

 

[robsavino]

As long as the light doesn't hit your eyes directly or indirectly with some intensity than you can use the spot light. Your irises in your eyes are affected when the light changes. Most boats mount a spot light on a roof or bow to keep the source away from your eyes. I use a handheld spot light only when I absolutely need it. My technique for my spot light is I hold it outside above the roof of the cabin. I don't lose my night vision like that. FYI I hardly ever use my spot light.
I do second the air horn.

 

[MakoMike]

newbie wrote:
not quite sure how to see my marks in pitch black otherwise


1st of all it is rarely "pitch black" out, unless there is no moon. Have you ever tried to see the bouys at night without the light? You may be very surprized.

Try it, but make sure you aren't looking through a windshield or isinglass, just you and your eyes looking into the dark.


This post edited by MakoMike 09:17 AM 05/28/2008

 

[MakoMatt]

newbie, electric horns are fine, and inexpensive. Just angle it a little bit downward so water runs out. The mounts that come with most will provide for this downward angle. Also, get one, or get the baffle that goes on the front to help block water from even getting in. You should get a few good seasons out of it.

As for a spotlight,........ mounted on your hardtop, or bow usually is not problem, and a great aid for what you want to do.

MakoMatt

 

[newbie]

anyone have a decent brand of bow-mounted spotlight their happy with??

and yes mike, i have tried locating my markers at night without a light. while it is possible, i dont like doing it. much prefer spotting the light for a second to get a definate location of channel and colors.