Pre-2016 horn replacement - banish the duck!

[msavold]

The ridiculous quacking device that Yamaha called a "horn" pre- about 2016 gave out at the start of last year. Made due with an air horn at hand and kept meaning to replace it the whole season but a pain to do with the boat on the lift.
Ordered the newer version (which is a Fiamme horn rather than the piezo of before) but the shape is wrong and the size of the grill is different (smaller).
Turns out that all you have to do is widen the hole a bit and the new one will fit! It bolts to the outside of the hull so no contortionist required - and fewer fiberglass shard cuts.
Yeah, the grille is a bit smaller but by careful placement and a couple of new screw holes, the new grill covers the old screw holes and fits in nicely.

The hole for the original is circular and for the new one you'll need a rectangular (offset!) one. This is one of the worst hole cuts I've ever done but jigsaw died about 30 seconds into it so hand cut, deliberately small and then enlarged with a rasp to make sure that the end result was centered on the horn depression.
Oh, I cut the wires and attached them to the new horn with new spade connectors. The original horn leads extend about 10" into the hull where they are connected to the boat wiring with spade connectors - too far in to attach to the new horn with the boat wiring. Easier to just cut and add new connectors.

I must say that I was tempted to replace them since the black wire was badly rusted. (hard to see in this picture). Cutting it back a bit farther I got some decent clean wire.
End result:


And, for the sound effect:

 

[Scottie]

So what horn is this?

 

[msavold]

Whoops, I never posted the part number. It's the horn for the newer models.
Single Horn Assy. Yamaha item: F3H-U8304-10-00
Item #3 here: 2016 Yamaha SX240 HIGH OUTPUT (SAT1800BR) Electrical 3 | Yamaha Sports Plaza
Also on amazon Amazon.com: Yamaha F3H-U8304-10-00 Single Horn Assembly (St; F3HU83041000 Made by Yamaha: Automotive
(No surprise really but looks like it's the same part # for the newer 212x - I'd bet same for all boats.)

 

[Scottie]

Great, thanks! The one on my 2013 works fine, but it's a white plastic and it has yellowed and cracked, so I've been looking to replace it. This looks like it will be great.

 

[giroux68]

I thought about replacing mine with a air horn, but my son loves to just blow it for now reason. So the quiet one is perfect.

 

[Beachbummer]

Great solution for a horn that is still mounted from the outside.

 

[Funtacular]

Many thanks for your write-up. I purchased this horn and installed it this weekend. I was super nervous making the appropriate cut for it, but once it was done and installed it looks and sounds phenomenal. I couldn't be happier!

 

[CaptainBill]

Many thanks for your write-up. I purchased this horn and installed it this weekend. I was super nervous making the appropriate cut for it, but once it was done and installed it looks and sounds phenomenal. I couldn't be happier!

Funtacular, could you post a pic? I also have 2008 AR230. What was your experience with the mounting holes?

Thx!!

 

[Funtacular]

I can take an installed pic but cant remove as I put a bead of clear silicon around the outside. Just had to cut the hull enough to fit the new unit down inside. Aside from the cut everything was a straight forward swap. Edit: upon re-examination of the original post I believe I lined up the cover to fit over the existing holes and then drilled in new holes to match the new cover.

 

[Funtacular]

Msavold's installed pic is exactly what mine looks like.

 

[CaptainBill]

Great, thx. As long as the old holes are covered, I am good.

 

[Funtacular]

Great, thx. As long as the old holes are covered, I am good.

Yup holes are covered. Mine is identical to the third picture above (except of course my hull is red/white!)

 

[Pewaukee Dave]

If anyone is looking for one of these newer horns, I have new one sitting in the garage.

 

[biffdotorg]

If anyone is looking for one of these newer horns, I have new one sitting in the garage.

I have been holding off replacing mine, as the old style just craps out so quickly. Maybe these new style will last longer. What's it worth? I see what Amazon wants for them. (ouch)

 

[Kaiser211]

How did you cut the fiberglass or what should I use for best results?

 

[msavold]

Just a jigsaw running slowly. I put some tape over it first. (My jigsaw died half way through so I switched to a (hand) hole saw and a rasp to square it off.
And the recommendation when drilling the screw holes is to make them the same size as the screw (not too tight), running the drill in reverse to avoid splintering or splitting the fiberglass.
Secret to happiness is to take your time and work slowly. In the end it's covered by the grill so complete precision isn't essential - as long as you don't go past where the grill goes!