Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

This is a direct quote from the 2007 Minnesota Boating Guide, a summary of laws and rules

"It is unlawfull to have an altered muffler, muffler cutout, muffler bypass, or any other device designed or installed so that it can be used to continually or intermittently bypass any muffler or muffler system, or to reduce or eliminate the effectiveness of a muffler or muffler system"

A sheriff told me that if they find a boat that has exhaust that can be switched by the operator, they issue a fix-it ticket and you have 30 days to remove it and come back for a decible test. 84 dBA in MN. They let me go with just a fine because my exhaust switches automatically, but they said it's still 'technically' illegal.

Has anyone else faced this restriction in your state? What did you do?

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

Most states that have noise restrictions on the books include the switchable clause. And yes "technically" it is illegal. However if your boat will pass the restrictions in the open position they shouldn't have a problem with it.

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

Yes I would agree that if I'm below 84 dBA even with it switched off, it shouldn't be a problem. However, the risk is that even if they suspect I'm over and want to test, part of their procedure is to board your boat and inspect the exhaust. This is the part that scares me.

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

They're illegal in NY too. Dumb.

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

Yes, it is dumb. I think switchable is better for everyone. When I'm coming in at night and near someone's house, I'd switch it on to be respectful. And when I'm out in the middle during the day I'd switch it off and let it rip!

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

It is illegal to switch from muffled to underwater? I can understand all open to all closed underwater, but why would they complicate things if your exhaust dba choices are all within the law? Oh yeah, its the govt.

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

It comes from the old laws for on road vehicles that state its illegal to have exhaust cut-outs on your automobile's exhaust system to bypass emission controls and mufflers.

So, technically, they are illegal, but I've never seen anyone get a ticket for such. The same law is on the books here in VA, as well as a mandatory baffled exhaust. Well, internal flappers and wet exhaust are legal to fit the baffled exhaust requirement here in VA. It all depends on the law enforcement official that you might piss off.

For a neat trick/safe bet; place a hidden toggle switch on your boat that overrides your dash switch. This way you can toggle your dash switch all day long in front of the officer with no effect on your Captain's Call/Silent Choice. They can't ticket you if it does not switch.

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

Anything that may potentially quiet a boat should be legal.

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

Been on the books in AL since 1963,and yes,came from the old days when you could unscrew caps from your exhaust. Rarely,if ever,enforced. Unless you make an officer mad over something else,you are probrably OK.In 1987 an officer jumped me about the new Merc Silent Choice on a new Glastron,told me I better remove it,but nothing else was ever said,and the boat is still on the lake.

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

Now that would make sense!!! But the lawmakers are thinking the other way around. They are thinking that it would make a quiet boat louder.

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

It's the ability to "switch it off and let it rip" that put this law on the books.

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

Ah yes... Minnesota. The land of a thousand lakes. And a$$hole water cops.

I am so happy that I live in Texas! :D

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

What exhaust do you have that "switches automatically"????

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

I wouldn't go so far as to call them a$$holes, but yes, they are trying. I've gotten pulled over five times for noise on Lake Minnetonka. Each time it was $133 and major hassles. They make you go to the Sheriff station and test you along side a row of covered boat lifts so your boat will echo and it's really loud there.

On the Missippi river I've been sited on three times. You guessed it, $133. There, they hide in the back water area behind the entrance/exit of the lock and damb. When you leave the lock you might not realize it but they could be about 500 feet behind you when you bring it up on plain. Busted!

I did buy a set of muffler tips, but they didn't quite it down any.

It is kind-of fun knowing that big, bad a$$, bone stock, Scarab 22 has the whole state in an uproar, though:evilb:

In all seriousness, my next boat will have to have a legal and proven 84 dBA or less system.

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

BTW, I test at 86 - 88 dBA on Lake Minnetonka and 85 - 86 dBA on the river... kind-of thought the river cops would let it slide for a point or two because we are always 'Minnesota Nice'.

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

Not sure if 'automatically' is the right word to describe, but I have a Corsa 50/50 system. At idle, all the exhaust goes through the hull. After you plane out and a certain amount of back-pressure is acheived, a flap in the elbow direct part of the exhaust through the outdrive.

This system attempts to reduce the noise of the boat when running at higher RPMs.

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

You can always do this:

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

LOL

Yes, I know. I always keep this option in the back of my mind; effective and smart, but sacrilegious. But probably still beats having your day split-up with a trip to the Sheriff station.

I've actually seen these on some of the boats at the river. The ones in this picture don't look so bad. Some that I've seen were Horrendous!

Thx!

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

Illegal here in IN also. Was once told by a CO he would give me a ticket if I was on his lake. He was a *****. I was just asking him info at a boat show. No one on 'his' lake was ever ticketed for this reason though.
Better off annoying the piss out of your marina neighbors at 2 am in the morning with your exhaust loud, according to the law. Can you simply disable the switch to be legal? That's was a way around the law from what I have been told.

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

I believe it is also illegal here in Michigan 2 have a switchable exhaust! Don't understand it! They should appreciate boaters spend about 2 grand plus per engine 2 make it quieter!!!

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

Same here in Ohio. No switchable exhaust allowed. I wonder if the manufacturers will stop selling and installing switchable systems on new boats since most states technically don't allow them.

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

Here is the Michigan law. You must have mufflers. I do believe however that Donkey ****s with water injectrion would be legal under the current law. They will most likely not pass the proposed "Pass-by" law if it is implemented. Under the current law even the automatic bypass mufflers are illegal. Also, different than some states, you must have mufflers!

Cut and pasted from MCL law library

6.10 Equipment Requirements and Required Personal
Flotation Devices
A. Misdemeanor—Equipment Requirements
MCL 324.80156 details the sound requirements for motorboat mufflers and underwater exhaust systems. MCL 324.80156(1) states:
*MCL 324.80156(2) allows the DNR to establish rules for alternative sound level tests and maximum decibel levels.

“Subject to subsection (2),* a person shall not operate a motorboat on the waters of this state unless the motorboat is equipped and maintained with an effective muffler or underwater exhaust system that does not produce sound levels in excess of 90 dB(A) when subjected to a stationary sound level test as prescribed by SAE J2005 or a sound level in excess of 75 dB(A) when subjected to a shoreline sound level measurement procedure as described by SAE J1970. The operator of a motorboat shall present the motorboat for a sound level test as prescribed by SAE J2005 upon the request of a peace officer. If a motorboat is equipped with more than 1 motor or engine, the test shall be performed with all motors or engines operating. To determine whether a person is violating this subsection, a peace officer may measure sound levels pursuant to procedures prescribed in SAE J1970, issued 1991-92.” A person who violates MCL 324.80156(1) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by: • imprisonment for not more than 90 days; and • fine of not less than $100.00 or more than $500.00. MCL 324.80156(6). In addition, the person must install a muffler or underwater exhaust system that meets the act’s requirements before putting the vessel back in use. Id.


R 281.1238 Mufflers; cut outs.
The exhaust of all internal combustion engines used on any waters of this state shall be muffled effectively by equipment so constructed and used as to muffle the noise of the exhaust of the engine in a reasonable manner. The use of cut outs, bypasses, or similar devices is prohibited, except for vessels competing in a boat race or regatta sanctioned by the department under sections 151 and 152 of the act. A modern device, underwater exhaust system or a system discharging cold water through the exhaust of an inboard engine, each of which is capable of muffling the noise of the exhaust of the engine in a reasonable manner, shall be considered as meeting the requirements of this rule.

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

They got you for 85-86 on the river?!?..... That sucks. At least there aren't speed limits.... yet

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

I put "snufflers" on mine in order to make the cockpit quieter on plane (I also have mufflers, but they barely did anything). The redirection of the exhaust while on plane has basically made the boat much quieter while still allowing unrestricted exhaust movement. The snufflers also make the boat completely quiet at the dock and at no-wake speeds. Now, I have a small-block so I'm generally quieter than a comparable boat with a big-block.

I will probably install snufflers when I get the Stinger back together... though without a swim platform, I'll have to be a little more creative so that it looks good.

Re: Switchable Exhaust... Illegal in Minnesota?
 

There is a debate over speed limits in the "Any Thoughts on performance boats and Poker Runs" thread in this (General Boating Discussion) forum. There are some pretty interesting opinions advocating speed limits...wtf? :eek:

I sold my Scarab to a guy in Mn, he was told if the boat came into the state with switchable exhaust then it is legal, however switchable exhaust is not installable in the state of Mn. He bought the kit and I installed it on my boat. I do not know if this is right or not, I just did what I was asked to do. He has not picked up the boat yet so I can't say if he is getting by with it or not.

In GA, open exhaust is illegal and switchable to open is illegal but switchable to muffler exhaust is o.k. (thats what I have). So I guess it depends how "switchable" is defined.

feel sorry for you guys.......only thing water cops up here care about is alcohol.......no alcohol......"nice boat man.....see ya"

I don't understand the noise law and the abilty to just install the tubes that hang down in the water. Sure at idle the noise is muffled, but as soon as you go fast enough to get them out of the water, it's loud. That's telling me the laws are only for while in marinas or at ramps, for the most part. So you'd think switchable would be ok. ??????