Outboard noise levels

codprawn · 23 June 2005, 13:07

Everything I have read lately informs me that modern 4 stroke outboards are the way to go for quietness. Other then say the new Etecs are also very quiet. Old 2 strokes are noisy and smoky.

Yesterday I skived off a job for 2 hours and stood watching boats coming in and out of a small harbour - it was high tide and weather stunning!!!

None of the outboards seemed that noisy anyway but some were better than others - what really suprised me was that an old shetland I saw with a nail of a 40hp Evinrude was actually quieter than a boat with a new Mercury 4 stroke!!!

Another guy had a new Evinrude about 60hp or so - that was pretty quiet but even quieter was an old Suzuki 2 stroke oil injection.

Pete7 · 23 June 2005, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Everything I have read lately informs me that modern 4 stroke outboards are the way to go for quietness. Other then say the new Etecs are also very quiet. Old 2 strokes are noisy and smoky

Yes, but isn't a 2 stroke carb V6 outboard on hard acceleration a glorious noise. Even better with 6 holes drilled in the leg

Pete

Nauti Buoy · 23 June 2005, 13:30

I currently have a Suzuki DF140hp 4 Stroke which is ultra quiet, everyone who has been on my rib always end up saying " I cannot believe how quiet your engine is" even other boat owners as I go through the Lock at Chichester Marina say "if only my engine was a quiet as yours!!"

jlanng · 23 June 2005, 14:05

I have the same engine as N.B. and it's a real luxury having such a quiet motor

Nasher · 23 June 2005, 14:12

I agree with Pete, wonderful noise.

Nasher

Carl · 23 June 2005, 14:24

xr2 all the way baby

eupa · 24 June 2005, 08:04

I have the same engine as N.B. and it's a real luxury having such a quiet motor

The resaon to have a noisy motor in the first place is that people hear you coming and get out of the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is nothing like twin yams going flat out!!!!!!
But then I am just an anti social git.

On the same subject - nothing beats the sound of a spitfire with the RR merlin engine going into a shallow dive...

Jonathan

Nasher · 24 June 2005, 09:20

Eupa

We are all just petrol heads at heart, can't agree more about the merlin.
Have you ever heard one of the old MTBs with twin meteors, which I think is the marinised merlin.

Nasher.

eupa · 24 June 2005, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Eupa

We are all just petrol heads at heart, can't agree more about the merlin.
Have you ever heard one of the old MTBs with twin meteors, which I think is the marinised merlin.

Nasher.

Yes Nasher - thats a good sound as well- but that "spitfire" sound when its just coming down towards you- just makes you feel good , and all goose pimples
inside- it means business, and its beautiful at the same time.

jonathan

Scary Des · 24 June 2005, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Eupa

We are all just petrol heads at heart, can't agree more about the merlin.
Have you ever heard one of the old MTBs with twin meteors, which I think is the marinised merlin.

Nasher.

This is the CMB (early MTB) that my grandfather commanded in WW1

it was made by Thorneycroft with twin V12 petrols producing 1000hp

so basically all fuel tank and engines.....oh it also had a couple of torpedoes as well

Interestingly it had a stepped hull , so there is a new idea

and could do 40 knots

Des

eupa · 24 June 2005, 11:18

Now this seems familiar- Could you private mail me your grandfather's name?
I think we may have something in common?

Jonathan

codprawn · 24 June 2005, 11:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scary Des

This is the CMB (early MTB) that my grandfather commanded in WW1

it was made by Thorneycroft with twin V12 petrols producing 1000hp

so basically all fuel tank and engines.....oh it also had a couple of torpedoes as well

Interestingly it had a stepped hull , so there is a new idea

and could do 40 knots

Des

Something like this???

http://www.bmpt.org.uk/boats/MTB-331/

Obviously not Merlin's at that age!!!

In fact the WWII MTBs were fitted with Packards - Merlin's built under licence by the Yanks - all the best ones went into planes!!!

People always harp on about modern technology etc etc but the Merlin was capable of some serious power - and they used to run on 150 octane petrol - imagine that in a Verado!!!

Another awesome engine was the Napier Sabre - an X24 configuration - they managed to push that beyond 6000hp!!!! Imagine a pair of those in class 1

Scary Des · 24 June 2005, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by eupa

Now this seems familiar- Could you private mail me your grandfather's name?
I think we may have something in common?

Jonathan

Are you trying to stalk me

My grandfather along with others was based at Portsmouth and Dover (or somewhere near). What is your connection?

Des

eupa · 24 June 2005, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scary Des

Are you trying to stalk me

My grandfather along with others was based at Portsmouth and Dover (or somewhere near). What is your connection?

Des

my great grandad was in cherge of the mtb section in the south- but i believe he was based on the solent..he was later tansferred to the fleet air arm

jonathan

Scary Des · 24 June 2005, 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by eupa

my great grandad was in cherge of the mtb section in the south- but i believe he was based on the solent..he was later tansferred to the fleet air arm

jonathan

I know that my grandfather was originally part of the Dover patrol base I think at Margate or Ramsgate. He was then transferred to Portsmouth attached to a land based ‘frigate’ HMS

Can't remember the name now, but he was involved in some sort of development work

Des

The Jackeens · 24 June 2005, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Everything I have read lately informs me that modern 4 stroke outboards are the way to go for quietness. Other then say the new Etecs are also very quiet. Old 2 strokes are noisy and smoky.

Have to say Paul initially got a 4 stroke as I wasn't too keen on a noisy engine.

Our new engine (E Tec) is a happy compromise. Purring 2 stroke with an occasional growl when more power is needed

Nice to have feedback as you go along

but to be able to chat as well

missus

Andre · 24 June 2005, 20:33

Guys if you are talking of a silent outboard then it has to be the Mercury Verado. I do not think there is another engine around like that one . You just cannot hear it and at low speed when leaving the marina you get the feeling it is the wind that is pushing you out.

I must admit that having switched the engine off I still double checked it was off before lifting the leg

codprawn · 25 June 2005, 02:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andre

Guys if you are talking of a silent outboard then it has to be the Mercury Verado. I do not think there is another engine around like that one . You just cannot hear it and at low speed when leaving the marina you get the feeling it is the wind that is pushing you out.

I must admit that having switched the engine off I still double checked it was off before lifting the leg

Isn't the sound part of the fun??? That's why I LOVE TVRs!!!!

Rogue Wave · 25 June 2005, 07:35

[QUOTE=The Jackeens] Have to say Paul initially got a 4 stroke as I wasn't too keen on a noisy engine.

Our new engine (E Tec) is a happy compromise. Purring 2 stroke with an occasional growl when more power is needed

Nice to have feedback as you go along

but to be able to chat as well

missus

I seem to remember you managing to get a few words in when we were being serenaded by the Happymax on a trip back from Cowes!

I I took up ribbing cos at heart I am a renegade and quiet engines aren't exactly renegadyish are they ? so it's 2 strokes for me!

The Jackeens · 25 June 2005, 08:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

I seem to remember you managing to get a few words in when we were being serenaded by the Happymax on a trip back from Cowes!

Only in the interests of the Official Secrets Act

Quote:

I took up ribbing cos at heart I am a renegade and quiet engines aren't exactly renegadyish are they ? so it's 2 strokes for me!

Have to admit I now appreciate engine noise too though perhaps not quite as much as some of you!

There's a Cigarette on the Hamble that's a right show-stopper when it comes out of its lair!

Go renegades and free spirits everywhere!!!!!

missus