Starting signals -guns and all

Thanks for everyone's feedback - I think the 120dB low frequency horns may be the answer.

I understand the flag/ light suggestions but point is when you 200m upwind of the startline sorting your compass reading, etc you need something loud to draw your attention to the flags.

Do like the cannon though!!

 

 

tbh the sound signals are only there to draw attention to the Flags. So just make people aware that a start can start with out any sound signals at all and that sould make them keep their eyes on the flags.

Alternitvly we have a Klakson (sp?) (old air raid siren style) at our club which is quite amusing and very loud. but they are moving to the good old air horn rigged on the comittee boat.

you can get some very nifty rigs with auto timing boxes and air-horns run off car batteries, Chichester YC have got one, no problems hearing it, even in the teeth of a serious blow

... Rock SC in Cornwall used to use horns and lights but you couldn't see the lights from the club line in a real Cornish squall (and you couldn't hear the old horns either)... just had to look for the flags, they are the constant!

Often wondered why a system couldn't be develped with a rib maybe 200 feet in front of the start line with a lighting gantry on the back, red - amber - green formula 1 style, all the sailors could see the signals then.. you'd still need your committee boat anchored at one end of the line to look out for the extra keen ones though.

Committee boat starts we use flags, club races we use horn and lights although we can't always see the lights as other peoples sails are in the way but not a problem if you get your watch right on the 4 minute light.