Noise laws

[chase1]

Originally Posted by NightWing

Switchable exhaust that passes sound test either way?

Adjustable exhaust systems are an expensive option that can add several thousand dollars to the price of a boat.

How many people do you think would spend that money on a system that would not exceed legal sound level limit in the open position?

That would be like buying an option on a car that would allow 45 mph top speed adjustable to 65mph top speed.

Those that say they want adjustable exhaust to make the boat quiet are fooling nobody. They want it to make the boat loud. If they really wanted quiet, they would choose a boat with through the prop exhaust. If they want mellow, then they could choose through hull with GOOD mufflers.

I would add a swichable system if it were legal.

My boat currently has a thru hull system that is muffled, legal and meets back pressure requirements from Mercruiser. I would not change this part of my system but in some situations it would be nice to have more noise reduction, late night, town docks, crowded areas.......

The cost of a system is not bad at all. Cost is pretty minimal when you consider the coat of most boats and accessories. I know people who have spent more on fish finders, and chart plotters. I would gladly spend the money and I have come close, however I can’t get past the fact that updating my boat with the ability to be even more respectful to others would be reason itself for a ticket. Then there is the part of the law that would keep me off the lake until I disabled the system. Cost would become an issue once I was forced to disconnect it.

Until the law changes, I will run my boat as is .....Legally loud and I will spend my exhaust budget on stereo upgrades. That is until some groups lobbies to outlaw the volume control knob in the name of safety.


Chase1