Water Tub Instead of Muffs

edgutgesell

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 18, 2004
Messages
144
I bring my boat back to my house to flush the engine. Running the engine on muffs is very noisy and I have some fussy neighbors. I have been thinking of getting a plastic tub with a drain to do the flush to decrease noise. How much of the lower unit needs to be covered with water so I don't damage the impeller by running dry? My 150 Yamaha has a water intake above the gearbox where you place the muffs. Is a tub that is deep enough to cover the muff intake sufficient to proper cooling or do I need a tub with deep enough water level as when the boat is floating on the water. I also know of a "flush muffler" but plastic tubs will probably be cheaper!
 

andy6374

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 4, 2005
Messages
1,617
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

You need the water pickups submerged. It's much quiter with the prop submerged. I use a large plastic trash can.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

i've use garbage cans before, to drain just use a 8' piece of hose submrge in can to fill with water, lower the outer end and siphon out.
 

AguaSki

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 4, 2005
Messages
545
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

I used a large storage container that was deep enough to submerge the prop. The submerged prop kept the noise down. At the same time I also used the muffs to ensure enough water. Try using both a tub and the muffs at the same time.
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

I drilled a 1" hole in the side at the very bottom of the drum I use(55 Gal Plastic) and put a drain plug in there to fill it. When done, just pull the plug...
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

I am not hot on drums or tubs for the larger engines even if the pick-up holes are covered. The volume of the exhaust is quite high and will interfere with the water entering the pick-up. If you put it in gear you will blow most of the water out.<br /><br />Buy a pair of ear muffs and a box of candy for the neighbor.
 

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,780
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

I have run smaller motors in 55 gallon oil drums. Usually in N they run ok but in gear even as small as 10 hp can evacuate the drum quickly if you goose it.<br /><br />One thing to remember, the engine heat is going into the water and if you run it for very long, feel the temp of the water in the tank. You don't want it getting hot on you.<br /><br />Mark
 

Pony

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 27, 2004
Messages
4,355
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

I agree with Solittle and Mark. Obviously some smaller/older motors need to be drum run, but for a motor your size it seems more practical to use muffs for the reasons already mentioned. Plus you mentioned flushing the motor as the primary reason for running it......so while heat is going into the water....so is all the crap you are trying to flush out in the first place.<br /><br />Without knowing your neighbors its easy for me to say, but I think that if its during the day they have no gripe whatsoever. Sure its loud, but its not so significanlty louder than lets say a lawn tractor, that it should require them to get upset about. You shouldnt have to change your routine just to appease people.
 

gss036

Commander
Joined
Jan 18, 2003
Messages
2,914
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

Make your own muffler out of 4-5 inch platic drain pipe and bungee cords, cheap and effective.
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

gss036<br /><br />Can you elaborate on this muffler?? Mine is considerably louder than a lawn mower. BTW- It's for a 70 HP rude....
 

gss036

Commander
Joined
Jan 18, 2003
Messages
2,914
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

Find yourself a piece of drain pipe that will fit inside the thru prop exhaust. About a 6 inch length of pipe and end cap to plug one end. Drill some 1/2 inch holes for water to get out and then holes for the bungee cord and put the cord around the back of the motor to hold pipe in place. Of course the motor needs to stay out of gear so the prop doesn't spin. It gives you some back pressure and makes it considerably quieter. I use one on my 200 Merc sometimes.<br />I agree that a small tub/garbage can is not the answer for flushing big motor, but better than nothing.
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

Thanks Gary. Something new everyday! I'll give it a try....
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,753
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

A livestock watering tank works great.<br /><br />It can also double as a mini paint spray booth.<br />Or a rainwater catcher for the garden and plants.<br /><br />75-100 gallon size is great.<br /><br /><br />
100-stock-tanks.jpg
 

eli_lilly

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 22, 2005
Messages
435
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

Sometimes I just stop by a freshwater lake on the way home and use the ramp with the boat still strapped to the trailer.
 

gss036

Commander
Joined
Jan 18, 2003
Messages
2,914
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

Yeah, me to, but they now have outlawed all carbed 2 strokers on the lake.
 

Dave Abrahamson

Lieutenant
Joined
May 8, 2003
Messages
1,497
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

I have a few of these in my warehouse just looking for a home. Tanks only. Shoot me an e-mail if you're interested. davidabrahamson@hotmail.com<br />Not looking for any $$. Pick-up only. (unless you're close...I got a pick up..we can talk)<br />
sstank.jpg
<br />
ssstank.jpg
<br />Stainless on wheels no less.
 

jnewtonsem

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 20, 2006
Messages
100
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

I've got a flush muffler, also supposed to increase back preasure to keep the cooling system full. I'm moderately pleased with it cuts noise about 25%, but your neighbors will still hear it.
 

Mark42

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

Its just not just the water intake that needs to be covered when using a tank. These pumps are not self priming, and the pump itself needs to be under water. That means that the water level should be as high on the lower unit as when the boat is in water to flood the pump with water. Otherwise, you risk damage to the pump impeller. <br /><br />If you worry about heat buildup in the tank, then let a hose run in the tank while the motor is running.<br /><br />With the 40hp Evinrude, I have run the motor for 10 or more minutes in a plastic garbage can without the water water warming up or the temperature gauge registering a change.
 

John_S

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 21, 2004
Messages
4,269
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

FWIW, I have used garbage cans for years on my small outboards. The largest was 40hp, and was still able to put it in gear at idle. Churned up the water, but enough stayed in to make the adjustment I was trying to do. As far as the water heating up, it would take considerable time, and as mentioned, could keep the hose running. The oil/carbon residue does build up after a while, and will need to clean things down after. If you want to see a "real" mess, do a decarb (seafoam) in the barrell. At least the mess is contained vs let it soak into the yard.
 

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,780
Re: Water Tub Instead of Muffs

Yeah John, but what do you do with it when you drain the barrel?<br /><br />Mark
 
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