Really loud Boat Motors

[BugsBunnyBoater]

Since I have my boat in a wet slip I have spent a lot of time at the marina. I have noticed how really loud some of the boats with inboard motors are. One guy started his bot at the fuel dock and it sounded like a Harley.

Has anybody else noticed that Ib's are getting louder?

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

Yup, My dads 300 Searay with twin 350 Bluewater inboards are loud when started but quiet some once the water starts coming out the side 5in exit holes. The boat has 2 big factory watered mufflers under the floor of the boat as well.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

Since I have my boat in a wet slip I have spent a lot of time at the marina. I have noticed how really loud some of the boats with inboard motors are. One guy started his bot at the fuel dock and it sounded like a Harley.

Has anybody else noticed that Ib's are getting louder?

Music to my ears!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

Even if it sounds "cool" the first few times you start it up, it must get old after a while.

Some people just need to be the center of attention, I guess.
Or they are intentionally trying to tick off the other 95% of boaters.

In most jurisdictions, noise ordinances are in play, just not enforced unless you call and complain.

 

[BugsBunnyBoater]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

I guess that might be it. After they run for a while the are not as loud. I guess the noise was loudest as people restarted after refuled. My slip is right across the water from it.

 

[Philster]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

More boats are inboard/outboard nowadays. A very popular setup is a through-hull, unrestricted exhaust.

At the point of sale, and on promotional videos, the loud exhaust is a good selling point. Then the dealer will demonstrate the 'switchable' exhaust, which is soooo much more common now. This allows the operator to send the exhaust out the outdrive, making it quiet or out the pipes above the water line (loud!).

Howevever...

First: It is an expensive option.

Second: Many owners like to show how cool they are by firing the engine(s) up with the exhaust coming out the open pipes. Underway, after they are on their own nerves and no one on the boat is enjoying the day, if they have the switchable exhaust they shoot it out the outdrive (under water).

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

Even if it sounds "cool" the first few times you start it up, it must get old after a while.

Some people just need to be the center of attention, I guess.
Or they are intentionally trying to tick off the other 95% of boaters.

In most jurisdictions, noise ordinances are in play, just not enforced unless you call and complain.

If the OPs is talking about offshore boats with thru hull exhaust, then I agree for the most part. To me it looks as though he is referring to Inboard equipped boats, which are more than likely family cruisers and sedans. My fathers old Chris Craft had twin 350s, and although not ear piercing, was reletively loud when at the dock. The boat had factory equipped mufflers, but for some reason still made some noise. I wouldn't say it was showing off or being the center of attention, simply the nature of the beast.

Not sure with my new boat, the PO actually said it sounded like an offshore boat when on the water, but I take that claim with a grain of salt... I'm not sure muffled 350s will ever sound like thru hulled big blocks...

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

In some cases, at least, a loud boat is just another way to say, "LOOK AT ME!"

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

Some people, me included, just like to hear the sound of the exhaust from a four stroke internal combustion engine. Back in the '60s, we had a split manifold and glass packs on a Chevy six cylinder. The throaty purr of the Austin Healey 100-6 dual exhausts also sounded great.

It has nothing to do with wanting to attract attention. A good friend looked at my rather loud Chevy big block and asked, "What's wrong with it." Others can't help but smile when they hear the exhaust of a healthy sounding engine.

 

[OldePharte]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

Ya, nothing says "I'm here" more than triple 1075's starting at 5:00 am.

And ya know, most "normal" boaters, can drop/slide the boat in the water, start up and go. Not the "big boys". They have to play with the motors for a half-hour or more before they can leave.

A couple time a year we will watch a turbine-powered cat (think Geico) being launched and it makes less noise than the piston-powered boats.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

I personally have mine going through the drive due to my wife not liking the loud sound. However we were on a friend boat the other day that had through hull exhaust and on the boat is was not much louder than ours. It is WAY louder to the people behind and away from the boat. I agree that it is a "look at me" gesture, but to each his own. I love hearing a healthy motor fire up at the dock.

 

[skargo]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

I love hearing a healthy engine, my corvette with side pipes and my Lemans sound great, but inside the car it is not annoying.

Those guys with the big boats who rev their engines for a half an hour are compensating for something. Classic self esteem issues. Just like the biker on his Harley at the stoplight who continually blips the throttle. We get it guy, you're sooooooo cool and we all want to be like you LOL

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

I was under the impression you had to do that to Harley's to keep 'em running

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

Yeah, I like the sound of engines, too. I like the sound of a top fuel dragster -- at the strip. I love the sound of a Formula 1 car running at full tilt -- at the racetrack.

A straight-through exhaust in my residential neighborhood or at the lake where I'm trying to have a nice day? Not so much.

Yes, a loud boat gets my attention at the lake. That's normally followed by a singular gesture indicating just how happy I am to have the boat near me.

And there you have it. Not everyone enjoys the sound all the time.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

I was under the impression you had to do that to Harley's to keep 'em running

Ha! You may be right. I suspect some HD owners of setting their idles so low the engine won't keep running unless they blip the throttle. Besides, it makes people next to you look over to see your bike. It's all good.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

Hey look on the bright side, guys...at least it drowns out that stereos you hate so much.

I keed! I keed!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

On my river there are only a few loud "go fast" types so I think it's fun to watch one go by. Occasionally. Like once or twice. I am glad there aren't a lot of them or constant traffic, though. But if there were, so what? I suppose the sail boats don't like my 2 stroke and the kayakers don't like the sails flapping.

 

[skargo]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

I was under the impression you had to do that to Harley's to keep 'em running

Yeah, or the rider is just a giant tool

I don't have room to talk, my truck has a basically straight exhaust and MANY mods done to it's mighty Cummins engine, sounds like a semi. I idle out of my driveway for respect for my neighbors.

 

[SeanMcl]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

/Just a little levity. Nothing to get excited over.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Really loud Boat Motors

And then there are those "personal water craft" going in circles with their undulating, whining two strokes. They sound a lot like a mosquito that needs swatting!