Loud Exhaust

[OleRed]

I been trying to find some up-to-date info on the exhaust systems ... it seems like the USCG and Many of State Patrols are enforcing their own interpitations of the exhaust regulations on our boats, I'm beginning to have second thoughts about going with thru-hulls on my boat ?  It seems to me by reading the Mn State regs that me and Barb will be Ok as long as they are lower than 84 desibels ... don't know about that for sure, and if I put the 4" pipes on mine it will be louder than that probably ?  

Because the USCG is cracking down on the exhaust mods, I'd probably be in trouble ... I'm thinking about just going back through the "Y" Pipe  call it a "sleeper"

SL 8. Muffling Devices To reduce noise, motorboat engines must be equipped with factory-installed mufflers, underwater exhaust or other device that adequately suppresses the sound of the motor. It is unlawful to modify, equip or operate a motorboat (except under a permit from the county sheriff or U.S. Coast Guard) so as to exceed the sound levels noted below. Cutouts are specifically prohibited. - For engines or motorboats built before January 1, 1982, the sound level may not exceed 84 decibels on the A scale at a distance of 50 feet. - For engines or motorboats built on or after January 1, 1982, the sound level may not exceed 82 decibels on the A scale at a distance of 50 feet. Measurements may also be taken with the motor at idle and the sound meter held at least 4 feet behind the transom and 4 feet above the water.

http://74.6.117.48/search/srpcache?ei=UTF-8&p=mn+marine+exhaust+regulations&type=W3i_DS%2C136%2C0_0%2CSearch%2C20101044%2C6901%2C0%2C8%2C0&fr=w3i&u=http://cc.bingj.com/cache.aspx?q=mn+marine+exhaust+regulations&d=4666653962144893&mkt=en-US&setlang=en-US&w=edd3742e,485adca7&icp=1&.intl=us&sig=c8_FdgI05yBN_GDESEqUWw--

Oklahoma law .. http://74.6.238.254/search/srpcache?ei=UTF-8&p=oklahoma+boating+exhaust+regulations&type=W3i_DS%2C136%2C0_0%2CSearch%2C20101044%2C6901%2C0%2C8%2C0&fr=w3i&u=http://cc.bingj.com/cache.aspx?q=oklahoma+boating+exhaust+regulations&d=4779718975817514&mkt=en-US&setlang=en-US&w=38f7d8d,4fbcf550&icp=1&.intl=us&sig=xi1p3xtqNKtFpK_Im33pjw--

8. Muffling Devices To reduce noise, motorboat engines must be equipped with factory-installed mufflers, exhaust water manifolds or other effective muffling system. Boaters are prohibited from: ? Using cutouts; ? Removing mufflers or muffler baffles; ? Cutting or punching holes in mufflers; and ? Modifying the original muffler or muffling system in away that increases noise level

[oldskier]

Watercops with decibel meters? As if we needed any more evidence that government has got WAYYYY out of hand. Gotta wonder how many taxpayer dollars it takes to enforce this.  The Coast Guard is now in the hearing protection business hmmm?.....wonder what they will do about my Merc BP (stock 1969....but LOUD) midsection?

[Jason]

I hope Alan chimes in. He's a water cop on the St. Croix river.

[Green with Envy]

Copied from Boater Safety Check discussion:

I can see how they can get away with busting you over "modified" exhaust but if its "factory", can they do that? You'd have to "modify" it to make it quieter.  
I'm not even sure how you can do it. Internal baffles?

Yes 'they' can bust you.  Manufacturers are not mandated by local laws as to what they can produce and sell.  Just because you can buy it doesn't make it legal.

I am torn here because as a civilian on the beach enjoying the day, I would complain to anyone who would listen when a 'noisy' boat (86db or higher) keeps buzzing past.  I am also a motorhead who loves speed and the deep rumble of a finely tuned engine, innie or outie. (Did I just coin a term for type of motor?!?!?)

When in uniform, I would listen to anyone who has a complaint of the same, and investigate it.

Water Patrol in our local area is about education and safety not harassment.

[wiliermdb]

Not sure of the manufact. by my friend that has a 502 with through hull exhaust has a "Hush" system installed that with a flip of a switch sends the exhaust through the hub. He'll use it at the dock and in no wake zones if there are a lot of other people. Take off and flip the switch and you're back to through hull exhaust.

I'll ask him about it next time I speak with him.

[Hotwired]

That is Captains Call or Silent Choice Exhaust .... http://www.marineparts.com/mpf/mpf324.aspx

[Grinder]

Wow, I'm glad mine came from the factory with thru hulls.  

[Jason]

I thought i saw recently someone on here having mufflers hanging off the back of there thru-hull system....

[Hot Carl]

Wow, I'm glad mine boat came from the factory with thru hulls.   

Ha me too...mine even has built-in mufflers from the factory. Talk about rare AND convenient. Funny how this topic comes up now 

[wiliermdb]

My friend with the 502 has Corsa exhaust with the electric diverters on his boat.

This is another supplier.  http://www.knbsupply.com/insi.html

[Hotwired]

ya ... I was the BUTT of that joke!  LOL .... it was just that though ... a joke.  You could do that ... but only in Red Neck Country!  Not that you'd get tarred and feathered at Red Wing but you might come back to camp and find your tent on top of the office or something!

[Shrom CVX-18]

Wow, I'm glad mine boat came from the factory with thru hulls.   

Ha me too...mine even has built-in mufflers from the factory. Talk about rare AND convenient. Funny how this topic comes up now 

Woops... At least my tips are mainly under water, when not on plane.  I'll just have to idle till i'm far enough away from the water police.

[carlsoncvx18]

Hey Red

How about installing some slip in baffles

Put a set of Corsa baffled tips on my cvx which are also 3/4 under water at idle just a nice low rumble to them.

[OleRed]

The thing that bothers me is the fact that they say you can't make Any modification to the exhaust system.  I have not been concerned about any of this untill I see people getting ticketed at lakes that me and the Fox want to visit this year, and the water cops seem to be getting tougher on the subject.  Lake Stanley Draper in Okc, when I frequently went on Sundays, party cove, some of those fellows got warned to install Baffles, but didn't get tickets, and at lake Thunderbird, in Norman Ok, I've been told that they are cracking down on the loud boats, and have issued tickets ... Two things, I don't want a ticket for Anything, but worse, I don't want to take off to one of the meets / shows and be told I can't put my boat in the water, or get a ticket. 

It's also a fact, here in Oklahoma, that the US Coast Gaurd reserve, volenteers, show up at the loading ramps and insist on giving your boat a Courtesy inspection, often resulting in them notifying the Oklahoma Lake patrol to carry out action.  I don't know it the reserve personel can write tickets or not ?   but they give you a little inspection sticker if your boat seems to meet their criteria, but if it don't, and you put the boat in the lake anyway, the lake cops come get ya.

Last year, I was idling around the far side of the harbor, waiting on my friend to back my trailer in the water for me, several trailers in line waiting to load out, busy ramp, and the USCG reserve got done with the inspection they were conducting on another boat, they started motioning me over to their boat,  I ignored them, a couple minutes later, there were two of them directing me to their boat, with some attitude,  I just went out in the lake and made a short run wile my buddy got my trailer in the water,  I met the uscg boat on the way back to my trailer, they were waiving me down.  I got on my trailer and out of the water befor those guy's even got back to the dock.  Next day, I called the Lake Patrol and told them what went on, and asked if those guy's had the authority force and inspection on me,  their reply was that  the uscg reserve could not issue tickets unles they were working with a scheduled inspection team, so who knows ?

[TomLund]

Is there such a thing as loud exhaust. I thoght it saved lives. lol


Tom

[Jerry]

They have no idea what loud is.

[OleRed]

LOL  !
and Yes, the uscg re3g's state that you can be as loud as you want too if you are participating in an organized race.
I saw this boat make it's first run here in the Oklahoma River drags a few years ago,  it turned 142mph in 1000 ft, just UnBelievable... talk about a HoleShot !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0sv01Z16zU

[Hotwired]

LOL  !the uscg re3g's state that you can be as loud as you want too if you are participating in an organized race.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0sv01Z16zU

Maybe we need to "organize" a race from no-wake to no-wake zone every day for the club meet!    Oh .. It Think we already do that!   

[Tonka Jim]

Maybe we need to "organize" a race. I think we already do that!  

There is nothing "organized" about our run to Lake City & back.  

[OleRed]

LOL ...
I heard that Loud and clear Jim.

I still think about it, and wish someone would have taken a video of us lining up throught the last no wake zone before we got back to the camp ground from that lake .. there were 8 of us come out of that zone, I was waitinng on someone else to open up, and I think the others was waiting also, but when someone did, it sounded like a thunder storm headed up the river ... was So Cool
I Think that was  when the pretty red Intimidator ran out of nitros, but he was coming up front till that happened.