Engine noise question

B

bphillips

New member
Hi, Newbie here looking for advice on engine noise,

My wife and I are former Macgregor 26 motor/sailor owners who have decided to drop the putting up the mast and sail drill and go with a C-Dory 22 Cruiser.

So here is my dilemma, I am getting ready to buy a boat through Lake Union Sea Ray in Fife, WA, they are of course a Mercury dealer; however, they can put Honda on it from the Factory. I plan to go with a 90 EFI and they are offering the Mercury at a reduced price.

I am satisfied that both engines are sufficiently reliable and efficient, so I am mainly concerned with noise. I suspect they are both quite at ideal; however, does anyone have experience with differences at cruise rpm, and if so would it matter in the cabin configuration of a C-Dory (in the Macgregor you just about sit on top of the outboard so motor noise at cruise speed is important)?

Great site by the way, the Macgregor community has a similar site, great addition to the boat class.

Thanks,

Brennan
 
Brennan,

I have the Honda 90 EFI and had an ETEC before. The Honda is much quieter than the ETEC, I mean alot. The main issue with the ETEC was harmonics at certain RPMs that would drive you up a wall. I haven't seen that with the Honda. I can't speak to the Mercury since I have no direct experience. I am not sure if the Mercury 90 and Suzuki 90 are still in fact the same engine. If so, maybe a Suzuki owner can chime in.
 
Hi Brennan and welcome aboard,

We had a Mac 26x several boats ago. Anyone who has had a small sailboat with an outboard aux knows about the noise in the cockpit (yes, even with a Honda). You will find that the noise level in the cabin of a C-Dory is MUCH less. There may be a difference in the motors you are considering, but keeping that motor to the back, you towards the front, and the cabin door between you is really nice. Even at high cruise speed, we don't have to holler to be heard in the cabin.

Sorry I can't speak to the noise difference in the motors. We have neighbors who have Mercs, Suzukis, Evenrude, etc. I hear them when they are flushing motors, and there doesn't seem to be an appreciable difference. Since we're the only C-Dory around here, no way to compare.

Some other differences to consider: plenty of standing height throughout the cabin, a good view from anywhere in the cabin, and the best part - you are out of the elements when running the boat. Lower freeboard for easier dock handling. You do lose some berth options, especially that big one aft, but the V in the C-Dory is very functional. You can still sit out in the cockpit when the hook is down and enjoy the sunsets (but you bring your own chairs :wink:).

We enjoyed our Mac - certainly a lot of cabin for the $$. Both boats are functional, both allow opportunities to customize and personalize. The set up and use underway are major differences. Good luck with your decisions.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Welcome,

Our C-Dory was almost named "No Boom" for the same reason our sailboat was almost named "Duck-a-Boom" Your going to like the CD.

Since LUSR is wanting to put you in front of a Merc, Can they demo a CD with that Mercury on one. I just bet if you asked, somebody here could find a Honda behind their CD and get you a ride. Take a decible meter and measure it, (RadioShack about $39).

I'd be happy to demo a Yami twin 40 setup for you. I think they are pretty close to as quiet as the Honda 90, but have never measured.

Harvey
SleepyC
 
Rob & Karen in Franklin, TN have a Mercury on their boat and was on one of the Cumberland River gatherings with us. Nice motor. I personally am not a Merc guy....but that takes nothing away from the current 4 stroke Mercs. Night and day different from an old 2 stroke Merc we had.... years ago. As long as you ran it wide open...it was a great motor... but, if for some reason you wanted to just idle along a bit....like an extended no wake zone in areas.... or just pulling some deep water lures.....it would load up, fowl plugs, and cause Dad to cuss a lot.

But, todays 4 stokes are a different world. I think Rob and Karen (Life of Riley) are very happy with their motor. I think it may be a 115?? Not sure, but I know it runs very nice, and was too very quiet.

Good idea about a sea trial on a boat with the motor of your choice on it. sound levels may all be very close...but the tones may be more suitable to YOUR ears...and noise comforts.

Thanks for the noise meter at Radio Shack... I need to go there anyway..when the snow clears a bit off our roads.


Byrdman
 
I'll throw in an opinion here, purely my own opinion: Get the Honda. Lighter. More advanced technology. Better cooling system. VTEC. Awesome alternator. Easier resale. Better. Honda is the Honda of outboard motors, Merc is the Ford/Chevy. Silver lining with the Merc: you'll likely get a much better price and you'll be "buying American". Either way you'll make out OK. Best, Mike.
 
Bhillips
I cant tell you about noise at higher RPMS,But at idle the Merc is reportedly quieter. This is according to their brouchuer. Was just looking at it a couple of days ago. I have a 90 Merc EFI on my 22, am happy with it. See you live in Kent, we live there also You are welcome to come and hear it if you would like. Of coarse it will sound alot louder out of the water and hooked up to the garden hose

Chuck
Bootleg Hooch
 
Thanks for all the good advice, very helpful; I did actually try to set up a sea trial at LUSR in Seattle, they jerked me around a bit unfortunately, was not able to take a boat out; good news is that the LUSR folks in Fife were willing to makeup for the poor behavior and offer a good deal.

I think either motor will do the trick; although I am leaning toward the Honda.

My objective to optimize my ability to get on the water and explore; I am hoping the C-Dory is the boat.

Interesting and reassuring to hear from other former sailors. I have not entirely given up sailing, I am active in a Sea Scout unit here in Kent; we built a 28 foot wooden boat over the last year and have been building oars and sewing sails with the youth (www.sss407.org). We hope to row and sail the boat from Nanaimo to Quadra Island this summer.

All the Best,

Brennan
 
A few years ago while we were doing the Erie Canal Cruise with a bundh of C-Brats, one of our group had a db meter and asked that we all take readings at various speed. You can read the table below, but the Yamaha twin 40s were the quitest, the Yamaha 80HP was second, the Honda 90hp third and the Zuzuki twin 40s was the noisiest. All were 4 strokes. For what it's worth. We did not have a Mercury owner among us.

Noise Level in DB
Engine Manf. Twin/Single HP Idle 5 MPH 10 MPH 15 MPH 20 MPH
Honda Single 90 56 60 70 72 74
Yamaha Twin 40 46 58 64 66 72
Suzuki Twin 40 60 63 73 75
Yamaha Single 80 53 56 68.5 70 72
 
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