Sound Proofing Engine

[David]

I have a 1987 C34 with a M25-XP and wanted some information regarding sound proofing the engine.  My engine has the standard sound proofing foam with the foil on the back of the steps and side of the engine.  Will sound proofing the area under the aft berth make a difference?  Does anybody have any advise to quiet the engine.  I installed new mounts, vetus k50's, have a new shaft, and just had the engine aligned.  I hope I got rid of unwanted vibration, now I want to work on the noise so my wife will enjoy sailing a little more.  :)

Thank you for you advise,

David

[jentine]

Diesel engines, by design, are noisy.  Your best bet for quiet is to sail with the engine off.  When the engine is running, the best sound insulation is lead sheets.  It is heavy but effective.  There are some products available that combine the lead with foam for lessening the noise.  You have to realize that you can never lower the level of the noise to a level that will please your wife.  I am sure she wants it quiet.  That is not possible.

Jim Kane

[Jim Price]

:Di I removed the old material from my compartment and replace all with a product from Sailors Solution [www.sailorssolution.com. I covered the original areas, added insulation to both access doors on port and starbord side, added to seacock acces in the head (lot of noise comes from head area, insulated the interior walls in the head access compartment (area where sump switch located) and added insulation to front of upper area behind engine under cockpit.  The engine is bacically surrounded forward, port starboard, top covers and part of aft overhead.  Sound is reduced at least 60%.  I can talk to someone IN THE CABIN from the wheel while running 2600 RPM.  I love it as much as my wife and passengers don't mind being below when motoring.

[Jim Price]

:rolleyes:Sorry, I put in the wrong link.  Should be www.sailorssolutions.com.  A little "s" goes a long way!

[DEMERY]

Jim,

Which kit did your order? Was there sufficent space around the engine for insulation 1+ inches thick?

Thanks, Dave

[Jim Price]

I ordered the 18 tile kit and later added the 6 tile kit because of the additional areas I wanted to cover.  Cheaper to buy the 24 kit to start with.  The 18 will do OK if you only want engine box and make no mistakes.

Surprisingly, yes, there is room around engine.  I have not yet done the lower peices on starbord side of engine due to tight fit of cooling lines.  I have to replace my lower line and did not want to possilby tear up a panel getting the line out.  Remember, this stuff has semi-hard surface but will give and spring back into shape.  I was surprised to be able to cover the access door next to alternator - plenty of clearance.  I also added extra instalation on engine step covers to fill in the open places around peremter.  Only area of noise you cannot close up is the lovered area in aft berth.  Still needs cool air.

[jrupinsk]

I have some material left over from insulating my engine box.  This is foam with foil and a dense plastic layer in between.  It is 1" thick and the sheets are [I think 28" x 54"].  It did a great job on the engine box and I put some under the board in the aft berth.  I would like to sell what I have left over for $40.00 per sheet and could send you a sample and some pictures if you were interested.  I installed it with clear silicone sealant and stainless steel screws with fender washers, then finished it off with aluminum tape.  It was one of the most satisfying jobs I've undertaken as it was done in one day, and with very little cursing.  Let me know off line if you want me to send a piece to you.  jrupinski@comcast.net

Jan & Liz Rupinski
s/v La Vie Dansante
r/v Southwind 35S "Moose"
C34mkII #1311
Cape May, NJ

[David]

Thanks to everybody who gave me some good sugestions.  I think I going to buy the kit from sailsolutions.com.  They are not to expensive.

David
HydroTherapy

[Bob Mack]

Has anyone investigated a quieter air cleaner? I find that the bulk of the engine noise seems to come from the air cleaner. I have an '87 (Hull # 52) and believe the engine to be a Model 25 - 21 HP (vertical air cleaner as opposed to horizontal). I've reinsulated the engine compartment with 1" material as well as replacing the mounts with the Vetus engine mounts Ron Hill recommends (not sure why mounts would matter regarding noise, but it sure seemed to make a difference!). All in all it isn't bad right now, but I'd sure like to kill off the air cleaner noise. Thoughts?

[Stu Jackson]

AIR CLEANER

Bob,

There is a newer version air cleaner which has a sponge material around the outside of it.  I purchased mine from a local Universal dealer, but there may be less expensive alternatives.

You should be able to see a cut sheet of it on the Universal website.  

My inventory shows:  Engine: Air Cleaner   11/13/98   Universal   302181   $49.17

We, too, have the M25 21 hp engine.

Stu

[Tweetybd]

David,

I, too, just ordered the kit from sailorsolutions.com (large size); we'll see whether it lives up to its reputation (hope so, since the Admiral hates it when the engine's running -- and the trip back up to SF from Half Moon Bay [~20 mi] sometimes requires several hours of motorsailing) against wind and current.

Jon