Noise Level on 410 Express Cruiser

D

Dutch's Treat

New Member
Feb 11, 2014
10
SW Florida
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boatless
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Does anyone know the Decibel level at the helm for a 410 Express Cruiser. In particular, a 2002 410 EC with twin 450 HP Cummins.
- Thanks!
 
I don't know the answer, but I do know it will differ between the hardtop and non-hardtop version. That detail may get you a more accurate answer to your question.
 
The boat I'm looking at is a soft top. I suspect it might be somewhat quieter than a hard top. I know Sea Ray developed an underwater exhaust in an effort to reduce noise. What I'm looking for is something around 80 dBa or less at the helm.
 
I am pretty sure it is less than that and it can be lowered more. On my 410DA, I plan on adding some sound insulation in the engine room. There is not much currently and there are many un-insulated areas.
 
I don't find it being loud at all. Talking is not an issue when up and rolling. But I bet my "For Sale On This Website" 2001 410 EC is a hair quieter than the 2002. Well maybe not but worth throwing out there!
 
Thanks for that boattest information. Unfortunately it's slightly apples to oranges. These test results are for a Sundancer with twin 3126 Cats. The EC I'm looking at has twin Cummins, 450 HP. Dancer vs. Express, Cat vs. Cummins. With the engines right beneath the helm, I've got to believe ECs are noisier. I don't know what the difference in noise would be between a Cat and a Cummins. According to boattest, the results at 2200 RPM appear to be 87 dBA. I would consider anything above 80 dBA loud. Any sound above 85 dB can causehearing loss, and the loss is related both to the power of the sound as well as the length of exposure. You know that you are listening to an 85-dB sound if you have to raise your voice to be heard by somebody else.
Anyone else's experience or opinion?
 
Yep, all valid points... In fact even though it says 400 DA, I think the info is regarding a 410 DA.

Like I said, I thought it might give you a bit of a baseline. It shows numbers higher than you were asking about regarding a boat you believe should be quieter....

That said, if I was you and concerned about engine noise level, I would sea trial with a sound meter and take my own readings.

I can tell you from my perspective, as an owner, the boat is pretty loud when running. I would say you have to raise your voice considerably to be heard. Still, I don't know any boat of a similar class that would be different. I would guess you could add additional insulation to lower the noise.

Good luck.
 
I have 2002 Sundancer with 3126 CATs and I also think the boat is loud at cruising speeds. I have heavier weight cockpit carpets and I added sound barrier materials and gaskets in couple of places around the hatches. The efforts helped but you still have to raise your voice to converse at cruising speeds.
 
I have never seen sound measurement data for Sea Ray boats, however, a sustained 90db level is considered dangerous and there are no warnings or placards for wearing ear protection so the assumption is that the sound level is lower than that.

You are correct, soft top boats are generally quieter than boats with hardtops because the hardtop reflects sound.

This isn't a Caterpillar vs. Cummins answer, but Cummins engines tend to be louder than Cats because of differences in the fuel delivery system. Cat has a unit injection system where the injectors are mechanically opened under a sealed valve cover while Cummins have external plumbing and injectors that are pressure fired. On the other hand, Caterpillar turbos emit a pretty high pitched squeal that can be objectional. It isn't so much loud as it is bothersome because it is so high pitched. While you cannot change the engine designs, there are ways to minimize engine related noise that are easy to do. If your boat does not have or has old Walker Air Seps you can change the breather assembly to the new style that has a sound muffler incorporated into it design. To reduce overall engine noise, you can add sound deadening materials applied to the underside of the deck, but honestly, Sea Ray does a very good job in the sound deadening they apply under the deck.

For what it is worth, if a 400/410 boat is too loud for you, then you need to be looking for a different style of boat to give you physical separation from the mechanical spaces, because they are not loud.
 
Thanks everyone for your input. This coming weekend I'm going out on a 400 Sundancer with Cats (year ~2000) and will get decibel readings. I'm sea-trialing my prospective 410 EC (with Cummins) on Monday and will be able to report the actual numbers. Stay tuned.
 
Boattest generally had db readings for any boat. I have owned and researched 3 sundancers vs regal, cruiser etc and it seems SR runs a little louder, generally in the low 80's. Aspreviously mentioned an express maynot be for you. Sedan bridge boats drop down to the 60's and thats a significant difference. As for hardtop vs canvas? Maybe fiberglass is louder but having run both extensively I would take a hardtop over wind flapping canvas and whistling over zippers. My .02
 
Every boat is different. I had a 2005 420DA which I thought was very loud in the cockpit/helm, the 48DA I own now is very quite.
 
I've done some sea trials this weekend, and this is what my decibel meter read. dBA readings with slow weighted response:
Sea Ray 2000 400 Dancer with 3116 Cats:
23 knots- Cruising Speed- 82 dBA
28 knots- WOT- 85 dBA
Sea Ray 2002 410 EC with Cummings 6 CTAs:
23 knots- Cruising Speed- 82 dBA
28 knots- WOT- 88 dBA
Just for comparison's sake, my 2000 Wellcraft 330 Coastal (express fishing boat) with twin 3116 Cats (that I just sold):
21 knots- Cruising Speed- 86 dBA
27 knots- WOT- 89 dBA

One question for those of you with Express Cruisers and 6 CTAs, does 23 knots cruise and 28 knots WOT seem a bit slow?
Sea Ray's spec sheet shows this boat with these engines to run as much as 5 knots faster.

Thanks everyone.
 
With a clean bottom, mine will hit 31 knots
 
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Mine will easily cruise at 26kts/2200 rpm and top out at 33kts/2700 rpm. When you sea trialed it what were your engine RPM's
 
I have the 330ec (iknow not the same at all nor do I have diesels. 7.4 gassers) above water exhaust. At idle its very quiet but as soon as u move the throttles its disturbingly loud. Esp at cruise. No normal conversations can be held unless your ontop of each other. Cant hear music so I had to installl a beter system. But its strictly from the exhaust. You cannot hear the engines at all. Sr did a very good job insalating the er. Best of luck
 
SeaRay Chuck,
That's certainly faster than I've heard. I gave up on the 2002 EC in Tierra Verde, Florida. She's the one that only got up to 28 knots at 2570 RPM, full load. I think her props were pretty filthy. Going to Tennessee to sea trial a 2001 EC with the same engines next week. We'll see what she can do.
Gps Readings while underway:
Gps @ 900 Rpm speed - 4.4 Knots
Gps @ 2000 Rpm speed - 20.8 Knots
Gps @ 2500 Rpm speed - 24.2 Knots
Gps @ Full Load - 28.8 Knots
 
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A little off topic,

I've noticed on several different boats the cockpit carpet cuts down the sound significantly.
I need new cockpit carpets and ran the last 2 seasons without it.....much louder.
When I get new ones made I'll make sure the mats seams don't line up with the hatch seams.
I want an over lap to seal out some sound.
 
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