LOUDNESS: By far the number one concern of these machinenes is they are too loud. This has been known annoy RC members, scare small Opti sailors to the point of crying and threaten lawsuits by neighbors. Extreme measures have been taken including:
THROWING a WET TOWEL over the TRUMPETS
STUFFING SOCKS in the TRUMPETS
DISCONNECTING one of the TRUMPETS
DISCONNECTING both of the TRUMPETS
It is a bad idea to stuff things into one or both trumpets as it hinders the air flow and hastens the corrosion of the diaphragms. Disconnecting one trumpet might produce a louder sound since twice as much air is forced into the remaining trumpet. It may also weaken the remaining diaphragm by forcing more air into it!
I have devised a muffler made from a rubbery plastic muffin containerMuffin Muffler and packing material. The trumpets are a lot quieter but the they definitely sound sick. Lately I have been recommending zip lock bags put over each trumpet and zipped about tube.