Bill would allow 'switchable exhausts' on boats

[classic22]

ITD, Just to be clear on the intent of this bill....It would take a boat that is IN COMPLIANCE with the current State of NH laws regarding decibel levels of boat exhaust, and give the captain of the vessel the opportunity to make his boat quieter. I think most logical people would think that this option would be welcomed in NH, just like it is everywhere else in the country.

[ITD]

Originally Posted by classic22

ITD, Just to be clear on the intent of this bill....It would take a boat that is IN COMPLIANCE with the current State of NH laws regarding decibel levels of boat exhaust, and give the captain of the vessel the opportunity to make his boat quieter. I think most logical people would think that this option would be welcomed in NH, just like it is everywhere else in the country.

Thanks Classic, I get that and understand that the bill doesn't make noise above the present limit legal. But the law can also and most likely will be used to make quiet boats louder, and I think that sucks. Too much noise already, and trust me, I'm not a kayak paddling, granola crunching environmentalist here, I just hate unnecessary noise. My opinion....

[classic22]

Originally Posted by ITD

Thanks Classic, I get that and understand that the bill doesn't make noise above the present limit legal. But the law can also and most likely will be used to make quiet boats louder, and I think that sucks. Too much noise already, and trust me, I'm not a kayak paddling, granola crunching environmentalist here, I just hate unnecessary noise. My opinion....

ITD, while I appreciate your concerns, the cost of modifyng a quiet boat into a "switchable exhaust" would most likely be prohibitive with the cost to modify in the 3k range. Most of the boats you hear on the lake today that might be considered by some as offensive, actually are legal and have mufflers. Most boaters today that want some "sound" to their boat would just opt for above water line exhaust with mufflers, and be perfectly happy and legal. Alot of boats produced by manufactures today with above water line exhaust build them with a switch to quiet them even further. It seems counter intuitive that the same boat has to be modified today to remove the switch to be able to legally operate in NH waters, regardless if it is legal on the "loud" setting. This law also drives away tourists, who may choose to take their boating dollars somewhere else, because they would have to modify their boat today to be compliant with law in NH and no where else.This new proposed legislation makes sense for residents of NH and tourists alike.