Trevor,
I'm thinking of doing the same thing to my platform. Where did you drill out the baffle? Did you drill right up through were the stock hole is in the bottom?

Thanks,
Scott

Scott

Actually, I sent out the 4 exhaust tips to have them polished and while they were off I drilled out the baffle via the larger access area from having the exhaust tips removed. At that time I drilled one 2.5" hole in each baffle. The next year I added the 2" hole - mainly because I was to lazy to remove the tips again and that was the largest I could fit in via the exhaust opening.

No melt down has occured. I believe that if you started drilling out the bottom of the platform there would be too great a loss of water within the platform and a meltdown might occur.

Hope this helps

Trevor

Does anyone have an actual or good SIDE VIEW SECTION of the silent thunder? what is the flow. I'm sure the second I took mine off I'd understand but haven gone that far yet.

I wonder. does the bottom hole allow more water to fill INWARD when trolling to muffle the most sound, then when on plane there is little "standing " water actually in the reservoirs/baffles?

hmmmmmmm


boilerdaddy???

My understanding is that the bottom holes are to have plugs in place all the time to permit the water to be traped in the chamber, thereby creating a canaster effect and silencing the rumble.

The plugs are to be removed for winterization, i.e. draining of the water. However, most remove them to remove some of the water when running to make the silent thunder ...... less silent. By cutting open some of the baffle, the water is still inside keeping the platform from melting down, however, the silent chamber is now open above the water line....and ALOT less silent

With the baffles removed, the boat had a nice rumble. But, definitely quieter than a regular thru the hull exhaust system. This was with twin small blocks. No performance gain. The boat was run without the drain plugs in the bottom. With both baffles removed & no plugs, the boat ran fine & no effect on the platform. i have seen a few of the big block boats(typ. 292's & 311's)where they had cut large openings in the bottom of the platform. Some for noise, others claimed better performance.

I've heard that by making the holes larger under the swim platform will lower the chances of burning exhaust valves on the big block magnums? Anyone else heard this??

I have an 87 242ls with the 454, holes are open in bottom . Do any of you still have the rubber exhaust flaps on your platforms. These platforms quiet the boat down to much,wife likes it. How long was your drill bit?

I used a hole saw with an 8" extension to reach.

TTT for Formula

Rambunctious, last year I removed my platform because of it leaking exhaust around the back of the transom. I replaced a piece of marine plywood that was rotted out from age and water. As I removed the large piece of wood I was then able to see the complete route the exhaust has to travel before exiting out the rear of the silent thunder. I don't believe you will gain anymore access by simply removing the platform without removing this wood as well. Removing the platform from the boat is a pretty involved because the caulk Formula uses is very tough stuff. It takes some time and heat gun to remove all of the caulk. Then to remove the piece of plywood it to is caulk in and encapsulated in fiberglass as well. This piece runs the full width of the platform. Only then was I able to see the back side of this baffle ever one is talking about. Maybe some of the other guys have other ideas but this is what I remember seeing on mine, 1988 242. The job turn out to be much bigger than I expected but I had no choice because of the annoying leaking that was taking place. It all turn out very well I thought but it took some time and a little money for that plywood. Hope this helps you a little, sorry no pictures. Propwash.