Horn is pitiful - Anyone found a replacement?

[safetynut]

The stock, factory horn on my Checkmate is pitiful sounding. It's more like a buzzer than a horn. I like the chrome bezel for the oval horn on the side of the boat (don't want to remove anything). I'm just hoping to find a better LOUDER horn for the boat.

Has anyone found a replacement? I called Mike Combs and struck out. They only have the "buzzer" type.

I also don't want to have some big chrome horn sticking up or something non-stock throwing off the look of the boat. If I can't find a replacement I'll have to just buy the $20 Bass Pro handheld air horn I guess???

 

[PapaMaC]

My horn hasnt worked since before I got my check so I dont even know how it sounds. I have a distress whistle (VERY loud) on my key cord and a hand-held air horn next to the seat. That works fine for me.

 

[hac]

Now that you mention it. I'm pretty embarrassed by the sound of my horn as well. I would hate to actually use it! It certainly doesn't make a sound you would expect to hear when you press it.

I think I'll start looking for a replacement as well.

 

[TheNerd]

My horn was about the same, I remembered something I heard a lond time ago, it is common for the brass contacts inside to get dirty or curroded(sp) from lack of use. Try using it a bunch and see if it gets better, It worked for mine. Mine sounded like a half dead baby duck, then would change tune, then eventually came around. I did it at home in my garage though so not to attract to much attention on the water.

 

[fiftyp]

Funny thread!!!

My horn SUCKS!! sounds like stepping on a cat, when it works..
Sometimes you push the button, get sound,3 seconds later, nothing.

 

[justcheckin]

VERY SAD SOUNDING HORN I WAS GOING BAY POINT CHANNEL BLEW MY HORN AT A BUDDY OF MINE THAT WAS DOCKED,AND SOME PEOPLE THAT WERE ON ANOTHER BOAT YELLED NICE HORN I WAS PRETTY EMBARRASSED,BUT AFTER THINKING ABOUT IT YOU DONT HAVE TO USE THE HORN MUCH PEOPLE ALWAYS LOOK WHEN A CHECKMATE ROLLS DOWN THE CHANNELS,DUE TO THE LOOKS OF THEM AND OF COURSE THE SOUND OF THEM

 

[Mr. Buss]

Try using it a bunch and see if it gets better, It worked for mine.

that sounds like a good project for some kids!!!

 

[85Predictor]

My horn works great!!
The people in the boat are the ONLY ones who can hear it!!!


I hate to mount an ugly horn on the bow.

 

[remlinger]

My horn works great!!
The people in the boat are the ONLY ones who can hear it!!!


I hate to mount an ugly horn on the bow.

I was about to say that you can actually hear it form outside of the boat. The padded cover over the electrical componets muffles mine to a quite hummmmmm.

 

[Big Red]

All the Checkmate horns suck. But I have heard the same horn on a lot of boats. Be careful in getting a new horn if you get a louder one every body in the boat will be blasted. My wife laughts everytime I blow mine but I think just the riders in the boat can here it.

 

[TheNerd]

I wish I had a place to mount some air horns that played dixie, like on the General Lee.

 

[PapaMaC]

I wish I had a place to mount some air horns that played dixie, like on the General Lee.

how about la cucaracha, lol

 

[fiftyp]

All the Checkmate horns suck. But I have heard the same horn on a lot of boats. Be careful in getting a new horn if you get a louder one every body in the boat will be blasted. My wife laughts everytime I blow mine but I think just the riders in the boat can here it.

When I hit my horn, it is more for comic value than anything. usually the
people IN the boat have a hard time hearing it.

 

[Costa]

Mine sucks too!!! I was once stopped by the game warden and he wanted to check everything and when he asked me for a sounding device I hit the button and it blew I asked him if it was loud enough and he replied "good enough".
Heck I cant hear it if the motor is running!!