More quiet mufflers

[dogbert]

When I spoke to one of the Tige product managers who was driving the '06 22Ve, he told me that one of the improvements was something called 'quiet drive', which was supposed to reduce the engine noise coming out of the back of the boat. I also ran across something called 'silent rider muffler' that's apparently an option on a Malibu.

The question I have is whether or not there's a replacement muffler for the one's on my boat (a 1999 2100v Ltd w/ 315HP Mercruiser) that are more quiet than the ones I have now?

[2kims]

We put a "fresh air exhaust" on our 04' 24V and it cut the sound by at least 50%. also got rid of the co smell while surfing. It did make the steering a bit tough, but the sound level is great!

[delongheavyhaul]

quick question for ya. why would changing an exhaust make steering any different?

[flackpack]

delongheavyhaul -

I may be chiming in with a wrong answer as to 2kims set up, but the "fresh air" exhausts I have seen are down turn extensions. These turn the exhaust down low enough to feed into the water even at cruising speed. This may cause a bit of cavitation around the rudder area, and not allow the rudder to bite into the water cleanly. This could be his handling problem. They also may protrude below the hull's running surface. This would act as a drag against the hulls natural running line and also create a bit of a handling change.

They work well for wake surfing as the CO is mixed into the water and usually doesn't bubble up into the atmosphere until after the rider has passed that area of the wake when moving forward. This is a health benefit for wake surfers.

Mercruiser has made a product called silent choice for several years. This is available on their sterndrive applications and gives a boater the choice for performance exhaust through the transom or a water muffled exhaust. Malibu may be bringing it to their inboard applications now.

[delongheavyhaul]

oh, ok. thanks. i have not even looked into a quiet exhaust. i really did not knwo how they attached, or worked. but it does make sense if the exhaust is down into the water, it would cause drag, mess with the steering.

[2kims]

got the steering problem resolved, there are two lenghts on the exhaust. ours is too long. it basiclly is a pipe that connects the two exhaust ports then has a center piece that goes 90 degrees to the joining pipe. it really quiet. there seems to be no preformance cahnge.

[dogbert]

2kims,

Did you have the dealer install the mufflers or did they come from the factory that way?

[2kims]

The Dealer put in on. saw it at the boat show in Jan 05. here's the link.
www.boatpipes.com/
it should be easy to install yourself.
the co. is in TX. Fort Worth area.

[NICKYPOO]

Is there any change in the wake performance with the fresh air? I have one but, I have yet to install it. I don't suppose you have done any slalom skiing with it have you?

[dogbert]

2kims,

I'd also like to know about skiing performance. Are you happy with it overall?

[2kims]

Sorry about taking so long to get back... work has taken me all over the past week...
There seems to be no performance change in power or wake shape. as far as skiing...we've only pulled 1 skiier in the past 5 years... sorry. what I like about the FAE is the QUIET and no STINK when surfing. you can actually talk to the surfer when they are out there.

[2kims]

Got the new pipe on that is 3" shorter than the first. still quiet and no smell. the steering is back to normal.
this is a slick product. i'd get it again.

[SummerObsession]

I just visited the fresh air exhaust website.

I was curious as to what engine you have in your 24V, and how far below the bottom running surface of the boat does the pipe protrude?

I am interested in the theory, but it seems to me that the additional backpressure caused by this system would have to cause some issues. I was thinking of making my own, perhaps with polished stainless tubing using mandrel bends and two outlets instead of one.

[dogbert]

BTW, the company is located just outside of Austin, TX. The guy's offered to install it for me for free if I buy it.

Sounds like the way to go!

Thanks for all the feedback, 2kims.

[dogbert]

Ok, I stopped by and had Larry Mann (owner of Fresh Air Exhaust) install the system. I found out that he's also been innovating on wakesurf boards (see
Trickboardz). He's a super nice guy and did a great job installing the Fresh Air Exhaust system.

I'm going to try it out tomorrow...I'll let you guys know the verdict.