If you’ve ever ridden in a boat in open waters, you will agree that it is an excellent way to spend time outdoors. But while the experience can be warming and cooling at the same time, you do have to deal with the cranky and vibrating noise of the boat engine. For boat owners who travel on water frequently, they could make their trips more relaxing by soundproofing the engines anytime they are out on the lake or at sea. You could choose to buy soundproofing materials for your boat, but there are also DIY methods that you can use to reduce the noise from a boat engine.
There is a lot you stand to benefit by traveling quietly when on water, and before I share with you all the tips on how to soundproof a boat engine for your needs, let’s first talk about why your boats need soundproofing.
Why Should You Soundproof your Boat?
If you are looking to escape the rat race that is terrestrial living, you often would love to enjoy the peace that comes with hanging out by the sea. Whether it is sunbathing by the beach or a short cruise across a long stretch of waterway, you can be sure to find some natural refreshment to cool the heat from the hustle and bustle of life. The noise from a boat engine can be both unpleasant and harmful to the ears, and the only way to protect your hearing is by soundproofing. Here are some of the top reasons why you should soundproof your boat.
Prevent Damages to your Hearing
The noise from a working boat engine can reach an excess of 110 decibels, and experts say that continuous exposure to sound over 85 decibels can damage your hearing. When you sit close to the motor, usually at the boat’s rear end, you stand a risk of filling your ears with all the vibrations and noise. Let’s not also forget that you also get to safeguard your passengers too from any form of hearing loss, or impediment. You can learn more from this website about some of the activities that are harmful to your hearing.
Makes for a Noiseless Trip
Let’s face it, with the boat engine yelling at the top of its voice; it can be challenging to have a decent conversation with other passengers without screaming your throat out. This can quickly have a toll on you if you do that for a long time. There is also the risk of suffering from brain splitting headaches when you have to scream repeatedly.
Increase your Fondness for the Boat
You certainly will love your water baby, even more, when she no longer nags your ears out whenever you guys are at the lake or sea. It will make you more interested in taking rides on the boat and no longer embarrassed when you bring your friends along on a cruise. If you think you spend too much time with your boat already, wait till you have soundproofing installed, and I bet the two of you will become inseparable.
Boat Soundproofing Techniques
As mentioned earlier, you could purchase an already made soundproof set up for your boat engine or get crafty and get yourself involved in the process of reducing the noise pollution whenever you are out at sea. You should be aware that soundproofing does not eliminate the noise from a working engine, but it does make it a lot easier to relax and clear your head for a refreshing boat cruise. Some of the techniques you can try to soundproof your boat includes
Insulate the Outboard and Inboard Motors
The cover on the outboard motor known as the cowling functions by protecting the inner parts of the engine, and does little to reduce noise. With insulation around that area, you can significantly reduce the sound of the engine when cruising at high speed. You could make use of Styrofoam or shop for a proper boat insulation material that fits into this section of your boat. You can check a list of suitable insulation materials in the website link here: https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-decor/decorating-styles-techniques/how-to-soundproof-a-room1.htm
The panel joints could also use tape or sealant to prevent sound from leaking through, and you can equally try using fasteners also in case the water comes in contact with the seal and ruin it. You want to be careful when soundproofing not to obstruct the air vent to prevent overheating of the inner chambers.
The inboard motor of your boat, in most cases, already features some insulation, but there is more you can do to make it noise proof. You can purchase a rubber matte and use it to add extra stuffing to this section of your boat. Fasteners could also work here is you do fancy adhesives, but you want to use the ones that don’t cause your motor to overheat or malfunction.
Final Note
You can insulate your boat engine with a rubber matte to soundproof it when next you plan a trip to the lake or sea. You can check here for additional tips to care for your boat if you don’t mind to get your hands messy with simple boat repairs and maintenance. Remember, you can always shop for a noise suppressant for your boat engine if you wish to.
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