Boat Too Loud...
 

Three weeks ago I got my first ticket for loud exhaust. My boat is a 2002 Formula 271 with a 496HO which had the Formula Silent Thunder Platform on the boat until early this spring. I installed Dana's manifolds and exhaust tips on the boat, which have the mufflers installed in the tips. Dana advertises this system to be 88dba legal? When they conducted the test they told me the exhaust had an average of 98.8dba! The high reading was 103dba and the low was 96.

I don't think this test was done correctly to say the least, but I could be wrong. I did not notice a big change in the noise of the boat when I switched to the Dana system. I never thought the Silent Thunder was loud at all. The Dana system is a little louder, but not much.

Can anybody help me find out more info on how the test is conducted and if the engine is supposed to be at idle during the whole test, or are they supposed to have you start the engine at the beginning of the test when there is no water in the system (of course that is going to be louder than when water is running through the system).

Any help or comments on the subject would be great.

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.

Go under the region section, Great Lakes area and find the thread on exhausts too loud. They talk about how to test in there.

Gibson Mufflers are the way to go.


Gladheater- A lot of times the cops dont test it correctly. We were trained by the same people and we have the same equipment. NExt summer stop by and we will see if it really was 95

Hopefully I will have a new boat by then! I'd like to test the new one to see what it spits out though.

for any decibel test to be done correcty there can be no
refelecting surfaces around you (dock walls,other boats,etc) and
the meter must be in the right position.
The difference in being 1m away and .5m away is 6 db ,
having a dockwall or boat next to you can make it read higher by 3-6db ,etc.
Also what frequencies are these meters reading and what scale or correction are they using? How often are they checking calibrations? Just like a dyno you can make a db meter read anything you want if you know(or dont know) what you are doing.

I would like to add, that the DB meter was set to fast response not slow response which I believe it should be set on? I also think when they test the boat it has to be in the middle of the lake, or you can do a drive-by the pier at 50ft at WOT.
I would like some info on where the rules are written and how the test should be conducted for the lakes in the state of Wisconsin? Any help would be great...court date is coming up.

Thanks

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.

But the judge (if a fair judge) should take into account that the test is properly conducted. And, if the Db meter is not properly calibrated, the test is not valid. The Co. I work for is currently going through an ISO type Quality program, and somehow I got designated to head this up (lucky me:rolleyes:).
You wouldn't believe the things I've had to send out for calibration, a steel ruler for one, not a tape measure, a steel ruler 36" long 1/16" scale.

Check out this Link...We are going through the same thing
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ight=noise+law

Wisconsin's is one of the toughest, if not the toughest, in the nation currently. I watch all closely because we will all be facing this sooner or later. If you search some of myu ramblings on noise, mufflers, Michigan, Noise Gun, etc you will see what is coming.

Here is the current Wisconsin law. I edited it some because it is very long with a bunch of training and education requirements.

NR 5 .125(1)(b) ,An officer requesting a boat operator to submit to a noise test shall test the
boat using testing methods J34a, J1970 or J2005 .

SECTION 5. NR 5 .125(3)(b) is created to read :
NR 5 .125(4) CUTOUT MECHANISMS . No person may operate a boat t hat is equipped with a
muffler cut out, by-pass sw itch or similar device unless the operator of the boat can demonstrate at
the time of inspection that the boat cannot operate contrary to s . 30.62(2)(b),

NR 5.125,(3)(b) Operation standard. Noise level testing procedures J34a, J1970 or J2005
of the Society of Automotive Engineers shall be adhered to by boat operators when requested to
submit to one or more of them by officers conducting noise tests on boats operating in the state of
Wisconsin .

Here is most of SAE J2005 testing procedures.

Excerpt from SAE J2005
(copied and pasted from pdf)

4. Procedure

4.1 Measurement Site—A suitable site is a body of water free of large obstructions or reflective surfaces such as
buildings, boats other than those involved in this procedure, large embankments or breakwaters, etc. for a
minimum distance of 8 m (25 ft) from the boat being measured. The boat being tested shall either be moored
to a dock or lashed to another boat. If moored to a dock, the dock shall be of open construction so that it
presents a minimum of reflecting surfaces. If the measurement is made in open water, the boat being
evaluated shall be lashed to the measurement boat to prevent relative motion and to allow positioning of the
microphone in the prescribed location. The measurement boat shall be positioned to minimize reflected
sound.

4.2 Boat Operation—The engine shall be operated at low idle speed within the engine manufacturer's
recommended operating range, in neutral gear if so equipped. For motorboats without a neutral gear, the
engine shall be operated at its lowest operational speed. The engine shall be operated for a sufficient amount
of time to allow water to flow through the exhaust system before taking measurements.

4.3 Measurements

4.3.1 The microphone shall be placed at a distance of 1.2 to 1.5 m (4 to 5 ft) above the water and no closer than
1m (3.3 ft) from the vertical projection of any part of the boat in the area adjacent to the exhaust outlet(s).

4.3.2 The meter shall be set for slow response and the A-weighting network.

4.3.3 The observer reading the meter shall not be closer than arm's length from the microphone to minimize sound
reflections.

4.3.4 The applicable reading shall be the average sound level measured during a period when the background
sound level is at least 10 dB lower than the measured sound level. Background sound level includes wind effects, noise from boats other than the one being measured, wave action, boat wakes, and other extraneous
noises.
Peak readings of intermittent sound levels created by wave slaps or changes in sound level due to
wave action and/or engine speed variation shall not be included in the applicable reading.

4.3.5 The observer shall record the applicable reading and the background sound levels taken immediately before
and immediately after the applicable reading.

5. General Requirements

5.1 The measurements shall be conducted only by persons qualified by training to perform these measurements.

5.2 Proper use of all test instrumentation is essential to obtain valid measurements. Operating manuals or other
literature furnished by the instrument manufacturer should be consulted for both recommended operation of
the instrument, and precautions to be observed.

5.3 Proper acoustical calibration shall comprise the complete measurement system including extension cables,
etc. Field calibration shall be performed immediately before and after each test sequence.

5.4 A measurement shall be invalid if changes in the background sound level affect the applicable reading.

5.5 The use of the word "shall" in the procedure is to be understood to be mandatory, while the word "should" is to
be understood as advisory.

PREPARED BY THE SAE MARINE SOUND LEVEL SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE SAE MARINE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE AND THE SAE SPECIALIZED VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT SOUND LEVEL COMMITTEE

I just removed my Gibson "donkey Dong" mufflers about 2 weeks ago from my boat. They made the boat quiet at idle (off-plane) but it just wasn't worth having water soak the back half of the engine hatch. My wife was sick of getting soaked every time she went back there to attach lines. :hitfan::D:ernaehrung004: The cops around where we boat don't enforce it. We passed by DNR two different times yesterday within 25 feet in no wake zones and they didn't mess with us. I had it tested before installing the donkey dongs and it registered 110+ on the the meter.:eek::party-smiley-048:


Take it to court and ask the cops what the ambient noise registered before you started your boat. Gets 'em every time because they never check it!!!!

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

And silent choice is illegal in most states. If that ain't a crock, I don't know what is. Also someone explain this to me. Why is it that most of the noise laws pertain to testing at idle, at rest?
You can have the loudest MO FO boat as soon as it gets up on plain, and it be whisper quiet while idleingand be legal.
One would think they want you to have the restriction while running. Granted there are some states that do have this ruling.
I have silent choice and use it 99.5% of the time when off plain to keep the noise down. Yet I'm illegal. Good thing the CO's everywhere I boat don't even blink an eye at noise levels. Yet.

Indiana has no Db ruling. Just no cut out, silent choice, modified exhaust. Noise level is up to 'officers descrection' <---WTF?

The CO that was on lake Wawasee here in Indiana stoped a friend of ours who has twin 350 with the exhaust out the back and didn't really do anything and then was gheading thru the sandbar I as he went by me I asked if there was a sound level and the co said no and then looked at my boat a Baja 275 and asked if I had captains choice and I said yes and he said I was illegl and better take it to the marina and have it disconnected and I also had Fl. number's and was waiting for my new ones to come in that I ordered so he asked to see my registator and saw it was registered in Indiana and said where are your numbers so i told him there are on order and hadn't came in yet. He said go to Wal-Mart and buy a set of number and get them on. I asked why do I need to buy another set of number to put on since I have a set ordered. His response was if you can afford the boat then you can go out and get another pair of numbers and if he cought me out the next day he would right me up. He did give me a warning and said we are keeping our eyes on Baja so he would be seeing me around. Needless to say next day went to the marina and bought a set of number and was able to cancel my order for the other numbers. As for the exhaust I disconnected the switch like i was told and now it's in the open position. So now when I go thru the channels I can't be quiet. I think the no captains choise is a sill law also.

We are getting hassled here in IL too. Sat. a cop actually asked my friend what he did for a living to afford such a big boat.

What is with these guys? They chose their careers and the pay scale that goes with it. Can't help it if the rest of us have very good paying jobs and can afford to be out on the water whenever we want. Far and few between are cops wthout attitudes for no reason.

If we can help anyone out with season end pricing on the CMI Sound Elimination Mufflers, let us know!! They really work well.


Ateco Engine and Dyno Shop - Your CMI Source (847)623-2737

Cops in NY also say silent choice is illegal. It is actually a misinterpretation of the law, which is actually a law made for autos that they copied for boats. Essentially cut outs are illegal. Silent choice is not cut outs, it's an additional muffling system. The water injection and internal flappers also count as muffling devices. When you get pulled over tell them you want to know which SAE procedure they are going to use, if a ticket is written you will want a supporting deposition, and you are going to photograph the procedure to bring to court. They won't want the hassle of writing you the ticket.

Turn down's put too much back pressure on blower motors and can hydraullic the motors very easily. mufflers will drop you around 10 dcb's. however if you have big hp motors or dry exhaust anything you put on will hurt performance, have tried several options, there is no perfect solution.

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. :D

That was me; public enemy numero uno this week. I was wondering if he was going to try and follow you out!

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!

Anger Manage: what lake did you get busted on?

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.

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.

These jealous a$$holes have nothing better to do but drool over our boats.

The Sound Elimination Mufflers work great. They usually wont even look at you honestly. Quieter than a stock 502 with through transom pipeS!!!

ok
 

hi there . will you refund my money if they fail the test 598 dry to the tips . i need muffs too

Gary nice set up:D

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.

This is all great information to help fight a ticket.
Thanks,
Steve

Downtown 42, He was stopped on Green Lake, the cop said the property owners bought the decibel meters for them, go figure! Steve

bummer, tnks.

Here's Florida's:

The 2007 Florida Statutes

Title XXIV
VESSELS Chapter 327
VESSEL SAFETY View Entire Chapter

327.65 Muffling devices.--

(1) The exhaust of every internal combustion engine used on any vessel operated on the waters of this state shall be effectively muffled by equipment so constructed and used as to muffle the noise of the exhaust in a reasonable manner. The use of cutouts is prohibited, except for vessels competing in a regatta or official boat race, and for such vessels while on trial runs.

(2)(a) Any county wishing to impose additional noise pollution and exhaust regulations on vessels may, pursuant to s. 327.60(1), adopt by county ordinance the following regulations:

1. No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of any vessel on the waters of any county or on a specified portion of the waters of any county, including the Florida Intracoastal Waterway, which has adopted the provisions of this section in such a manner as to exceed the following sound levels at a distance of 50 feet from the vessel: for all vessels, a maximum sound level of 90 dB A.

2. Any person who refuses to submit to a sound level test when requested to do so by a law enforcement officer is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(b) The following words and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in this subsection.

1. "dB A" means the composite abbreviation for the A-weighted sound level and the unit of sound level, the decibel.

2. "Sound level" means the A-weighted sound pressure level measured with fast response using an instrument complying with the specification for sound level meters of the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or its successor bodies, except that only a weighting and fast dynamic response need be provided.

History.--s. 7, ch. 59-400; s. 11, ch. 63-105; s. 1, ch. 65-361; s. 5, ch. 86-35; s. 47, ch. 91-224.

Note.--Former s. 371.56.

anybody know where i can find a printable DB test on hardin mufflers to keep my local fish cops at bay.

i got pulled over in flagler county and the fish cop told me that he shouldn't be able to hear the boat from 50 feet. he also told me he doesn't like loud boats. i have a 496ho mag. we have a hardin marine store(keith eickert) in palm coast. the boys there sold me the turn down mufflers. hopefully that keeps the fish cop happy. the officer doesn't even have a DB meter. he told me its up to discrestion. that aint right.

Right or not it is up to the officer to decide what is too loud if the db test cannot be performed as outlined in the book. From someone who has had his share of noise problems my advice to you would be to not ever slow down!:drink::drink:

I just had all the mufflers cut out of my cat. Lets people know i am coming up on them at high speeds and keeps the jet ski's on their toes.
I got a kick out of the can't hear the boat at 50 foot comment. You can hear my boat at half a mile if you listen and that is the way I prefer it. It's just safer that way.:evilb::angry-smiley-038::evilb:

I like that; safety first!

I agree!!! Loud pipes save lives.....