Everybody thinks I'm the Sheriff!

[Boris the Tug]

I have an all white R-21EC and people think I'm the Sheriff!

First time launching, a guy on the ramp said, "what did that boat used to be, some sort of government boat?"

Later that day, a woman waved excessively so I thought she needed help. I rolled up to her and she said "sorry I thought you were the sheriff."

An hour later a guy holds up a bass (too small), unhooks it, shows it to me, then drops it in the water.

Just about everyone slows down when they see me, then speed up as they get closer.

I'm getting a kick out of it! There are a couple photos in my album.

Any other R-21 owners encounter this phenomenon?

 

[baz]

If you install a Hailer horn on top of the Cabin (as I did) you'll get even more anxious looks as well. :lol:

 

[Boris the Tug]

Well then Baz, I guess I gotta do that too! Does that work off my existing VHF? I just checked I have an iCom IC-M304.

 

[baz]

Boris the Tug:

See my post at http://www.tugnuts.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9096&p=63038&hilit=Hailer#p63038. I'm unsure about the use of your iCom unit.

 

[Boris the Tug]

Those units seem like such overkill for someone who needs just a single PA. Maybe there's a simpler, non-marine branded solution. After all, it's just a microphone, amp, and speaker.

 

[baz]

Those units seem like such overkill for someone who needs just a single PA. Maybe there's a simpler, non-marine branded solution. After all, it's just a microphone, amp, and speaker.

I'm not sure what you looked at, but all I did was to install the hailer on the cabin roof and route its wire down to the Garmin VHF radio and connect the wires. Using the Garmin's hailer feature it works without issues and I can shout out commands to the deck hands, dock workers or any other boat around me. 😀 😉 Easy peasy IMO.

 

[Boris the Tug]

Yes I get that it can hook up to the VHF

The post you pointed me to talks about using a dedicated transceiver so you don't have to push the Hailer button on your VHF. Those devices you provided links to seem expensive and overkill for a simple PA. I'm just wondering if there is a simple mic/amp solution out there that's doesn't cost so much.

 

[baz]

Yes, I agree those other sources did point to more expensive solutions for hailing. My point was that in my case all I had to do was to spend a little for the hailer and then to connect it to my Garmin VHF.... and yes, one does then have to use the radio's hailing feature to engage the hailing horn.

I don't know what feature your iCom radio has wrt hailing.... sorry. 🙁

 

[Two killicks]

Up here people think that we are the Coast guard because of our red tug... I have 3 flags in the mast, it is true that we look alike...

 

[baz]

Well then Baz, I guess I gotta do that too! Does that work off my existing VHF? I just checked I have an iCom IC-M304.

See this - http://www.airadio.com/Icom-Marine-Mobile-Radio-IC-M304*productID_116-products_details

The Icom IC-M304 delivers a multitude of functionality providing better audio clarity, receive specifications, and hailing capabilities. Designed for submersible construction, it is equivalent to IPX7 waterproofing and offers an Aquaquake draining function that lightly vibrates to clear water away from the speaker.

 

[Boris the Tug]

Yes, I agree those other sources did point to more expensive solutions for hailing. My point was that in my case all I had to do was to spend a little for the hailer and then to connect it to my Garmin VHF.... and yes, one does then have to use the radio's hailing feature to engage the hailing horn.

That's great. And as you pointed out my VHF will work. Seems like a relatively easy install. I'm thinking of ways to mount it to my mast so I don't have to drill. Where did you mount yours?

Up here people think that we are the Coast guard because of our red tug... I have 3 flags in the mast, it is true that we look alike..

That's awesome. I checked out your pics and I can definitely see that. Now you got me thinking, I think I'll buy this one and have some more fun with this. The more I can have other people play it safe around me, the better!

https://flagladyusa.com/nyl-glo-u-s-coa ... fgodZlAPUg

 

[baz]

...snip...
That's great. And as you pointed out my VHF will work. Seems like a relatively easy install. I'm thinking of ways to mount it to my mast so I don't have to drill. Where did you mount yours?

...snip...

You asked - Where did you mount yours?

I mounted the hailer horn on the cabin roof directly above and slightly forward of where the Garmin VHF radio was located high up on its shelf near to the cabin roof at helm station. I drilled 3 holes in the cabin's roof and then used bolt/screws and applied sealant for water proofing the horn's base to the cabin roof. After a few days waiting for the sealant to really set, I then sprayed water at the hailer horn's base and it was water tight.

I drilled a 4th hole (and sealed it as well) to thread the wire down to behind the radio and connected it to radio.