Elk River
Yacht Club
Excessive Boat Noise
Committee Report
September 29, 2007
Source of excessive boat noise comes from
high performance power boats made in the last 20 years
Boats have two exhaust systems
- Through
mufflers and out through the propeller under water (makes less noise)
- Straight
pipes from engine through transom of boat above the water line (makes more
noise)
By turning a switch a boat operator can select a quiet
exhaust system or a loud exhaust system.
Reasons for using straight pipe
- Better
engine performance
- More
speed
- Better
fuel economy
- Boat
operator likes making noise (“macho”)
It should be noted that the boat operator hears less noise than
other people because the sound is emitted from the stern behind him.
Source of the Problem
is in the
Maryland
State
Law which
stipulates that
- Boat
noise should not exceed 90 decibels
- Boats
built after 1990 must have a muffler system and must use it
- The
test for boat noise is the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Standard
SAEJ2005 which tests a boat while idling in neutral.
- The
boat operator can turn the switch to the quiet muffler system to limit
noise while the SAEJ2005 test is being conducted.
The
Maryland
Law must be changed to require
compliance when a boat is idling or cruising.
- Add a
shoreline noise standard (SAE J1970) to the current boat law.
- The
maximum shoreline noise level should not exceed 75 DB
Action being taken
- Kay
Brawley is working with the CBYCA Legislative Committee.
- John
Ward has collected a lot of information on the internet. Excellent source
is National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).
- John
Ward has purchased a noise meter and is measuring the noise levels from
his pier on Randalia. Noise levels
are exceeding 75 DB.
- Ted Pauley
has spoken to State of
Maryland Delegate
Michael Smigel
(Elkton) and will write to Maryland
Senator E.J. Pipkin.
- Tim
McCann provided information from Mercury Motors on boat noise laws for all
fifty states.
- Robert
Hodge, chairman of the Cecil County Republican Party, has agreed to help
with a legislative initiative.
Further action
If Jim is unable to obtain the SAE shoreline noise standards
from a free source, he would like permission to spend no more than $150 from
ERYC funds to purchase them. |