Boat Too Loud...
10-02-2007 | 08:06 AM
#21
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 53
From: Rockford, IL
The way they were all over your boat I couldn't get the hell out of there fast enough. I'm sure that 38 Special Baja on the other side of me had to be just as nervous. Did they give you a ticket? If so hopefully you can prove they did it wrong and get out of it. Many obstacles to echo off of in that marina. NIce Boat!
10-02-2007 | 08:59 PM
#23
Charter Member # 55
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 20,252
Likes: 2,500
From: Omaha/LOTO
There are a couple ways that they test you, but the most common one is the 1 meter stick test.
I was lucky enough to get tested on Lake George, NY last summer when I backed into the public docks adn my exhaust bouncing off the seawall triggered the rent-a-cops to come over. The guy explained how everything works and said that the test is done at idle and that you have to wait 30 seconds after starting up the boat to get all teh water cycling through. Then they take a meter stick, put it to the back of your transom and attach the DB meter at the end. I have a stock engine/exhaust but still pulled 95.1(limit is 90.0) on the DB meter and got a $50 ticket.
I was lucky enough to get tested on Lake George, NY last summer when I backed into the public docks adn my exhaust bouncing off the seawall triggered the rent-a-cops to come over. The guy explained how everything works and said that the test is done at idle and that you have to wait 30 seconds after starting up the boat to get all teh water cycling through. Then they take a meter stick, put it to the back of your transom and attach the DB meter at the end. I have a stock engine/exhaust but still pulled 95.1(limit is 90.0) on the DB meter and got a $50 ticket.
Thats not a proper test. Its measuring the echo created by the back of the dock and seawall also. I highly doubt you were even over the 86db.
10-02-2007 | 09:03 PM
#24
Charter Member # 55
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 20,252
Likes: 2,500
From: Omaha/LOTO
Ask to see the calibration records of the test equipment.
And also ask if the particular unit is traceable with NIST standards?
The meter they used should also have a sticker or label on it showing the last date of calibration, and when it is next due to be calibrated.
And also ask if the particular unit is traceable with NIST standards?
The meter they used should also have a sticker or label on it showing the last date of calibration, and when it is next due to be calibrated.
Use that in court. he does not have to show you the meter any more than a land cop has to show you a radar reading.
10-02-2007 | 09:13 PM
#26
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,658
Likes: 1
From: IL
Was putting in a Ben Watts Marina on Saturday on the Chain O Lakes. Water Cops were hasseling a big cat for being too loud. I hated to even start mine up . I have the CMI Sound Elimination Mufflers. They didn't even look at me when I started up. Guess I must be pretty quiet, or maybe it was because they already had one on the hook. I did back up a long way before I turned the transom toward them. 
10-03-2007 | 12:36 AM
#27
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,123
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From: Wis
10-03-2007 | 03:10 AM
#28
Rob
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 21,637
Likes: 12
From: Ms
Here is what I did to my 38 Cigarette w/PSI blower motors to quiet it down. The 2 things that I believe helped the most for this instillation are 1) the exhaust points down and is under water @ idle and 2) all 4 of the pipes are between the drives which helps greatly for "noise" going to the sides.
I tried air activated mufflers with "down pipes" with limited success. The trouble with that type of muffler is that the butterfly cannot completely close off the exhaust from around it's circumference, otherwise it will "stick" in the bore when you shut it. Puting "caps" on the ends to eliminate the "leakage" worked great to pass the test, but you didn't want to run the boat at more than part throttle with that resistance to the flow of the exhaust.
If I can be of any further help, either e-mail me or give me a call. I'm in Minneapolis, Mn.
Gary
Ph: 763-473-8963
I tried air activated mufflers with "down pipes" with limited success. The trouble with that type of muffler is that the butterfly cannot completely close off the exhaust from around it's circumference, otherwise it will "stick" in the bore when you shut it. Puting "caps" on the ends to eliminate the "leakage" worked great to pass the test, but you didn't want to run the boat at more than part throttle with that resistance to the flow of the exhaust.
If I can be of any further help, either e-mail me or give me a call. I'm in Minneapolis, Mn.
Gary
Ph: 763-473-8963
Gary nice set up
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10-03-2007 | 11:03 AM
#29
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 214
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We conduct all of our testing to the J2005 standards. California just adopted the J2005 noise regulations a couple of years ago. The development of the J2005 noise law is the reason we started making mufflers. The post that describes the method of testing for J2005 is correct. The Dana tips you have in your boat with a 496 HO will be right at 86db's with the test conducted properly.
Just for your information, a 496 HO is only 93-94 db's with no mufflers installed. Who ever conducted the test most likely had the noise meter set incorrectly. Not only does the machine need to be set on the slow setting, but it needs to be on the "A" scale. Most likely he had it set on the "C" scale. "C" scale is extremely sensetive and will raise the db's significantly.
Unfortuntaley, I have first hand experience with law enforcement on this issue, and not to generalize law enforcement officials, but the guys we delt with didn't have a clue of how to use the meter or how to administer the J2005 test.
Just for your information, a 496 HO is only 93-94 db's with no mufflers installed. Who ever conducted the test most likely had the noise meter set incorrectly. Not only does the machine need to be set on the slow setting, but it needs to be on the "A" scale. Most likely he had it set on the "C" scale. "C" scale is extremely sensetive and will raise the db's significantly.
Unfortuntaley, I have first hand experience with law enforcement on this issue, and not to generalize law enforcement officials, but the guys we delt with didn't have a clue of how to use the meter or how to administer the J2005 test.
