Sea Ray Wins 2012 Inovation Award for Quite Ride Technology

[Sea Ray 215]

[h=1]Brunswick Corporation : Sea Ray® Wins 2012 Innovation Award For Quiet Ride (TM) Technology[/h]Link to article

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/brunswick-corporation-sea-ray-wins-2012-innovation-award-for-quiet-ride-tm-technology-2012-02-21

Aticle:
Illinois, U.S.A., Feb 21, 2012 (Thomson Reuters ONE via COMTEX) -- KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Feb. 21, 2012 - Sea Ray, the world's leading manufacturer of superior quality pleasure boats, is proud to announce that it was honored for innovative achievement by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) at the 71st annual Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail.
Sea Ray received a 2012 Innovation Award in the "Cruisers (25 feet to 60 feet, including fishing craft)" category for its 250 SLX ® with Quiet Ride, a new and innovative technology proven to significantly reduce sound and vibration while the craft is under way. "We are very gratified to receive this award, which recognizes the emphasis Sea Ray places on superior quality, true innovation and customer satisfaction," said Rob Noyes, vice president of marketing for Sea Ray. "This exclusive technology will create a quantum leap in boating enjoyment."
The Sea Ray 250 SLX with Quiet Ride is notable for its "comprehensive effort to lessen the total noise and vibration level by 20 - 50 percent, depending on a person's location on the boat," said the NMMA and BWI in a joint press release. "This [technology] makes a huge difference," commented Jan Mundy, Innovation Awards judge. "It'll be nice to actually hear yourself think after a long day on the water."
According to tests conducted by Sea Ray, in certain areas of the cockpit, Quiet Ride reduced noise by more than 10 dB*. To put this measurement in perspective, a decrease of 10 dB equals a sound being half as loud. Vibration was also greatly decreased, which means a more enjoyable and smoother ride.

"By significantly reducing unnecessary sound and vibration, with very little added weight and no added mass, Quiet Ride is a true innovation with a real, desired consumer impact that makes boating more enjoyable," said Noyes. "Just imagine being able to hear your cell phone or stereo at cruise speeds, or being able to have a conversation without shouting while under way . That's what Quiet Ride does."
Quiet Ride is now available as standard equipment on board the Sea Ray 250 SLX and 270 SLX, and plans are to expand the technology to other boat models in the near future.

"The winners recognized [by the Innovation Awards] are a testament to the ongoing commitment to boating ingenuity necessary to the future of our industry, and we're excited to see how these products adapt in the marketplace," said Zuzana Prochazka, Innovation Awards judge chair.
*Test data arrived at after comparing a model-year 2012 Sea Ray 250 SLX with Quiet Ride and a 2012 Sea Ray 250 SLX without Quiet Ride measured at 3500 rpm, both equipped with the same power. Decibel readings will change with variances in wind strength, wind direction, current, water conditions, and exact location of the decibel meter.

ABOUT SEA RAY
Founded in 1959, Sea Ray is the world's largest manufacturer of superior quality pleasure boats. Sea Ray is headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., and operates as part of the Boat Group division of Brunswick Corporation. With more than 40 models ranging from 17 to 60 feet, Sea Ray makes a boat for every lifestyle - each built with a unique commitment to quality, craftsmanship and excellence throughout. Additional information about Sea Ray is available at www.searay.com .

ABOUT BRUNSWICK
Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation endeavors to instill Genuine Ingenuity(TM) in all its leading consumer brands, including Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood marine parts and accessories; Land 'N' Sea, Kellogg Marine, and Diversified Marine parts and accessories distributors; Arvor, Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Cabo Yachts, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris FloteBote, Hatteras, Lowe, Lund, Meridian, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Suncruiser, Triton Aluminum, Trophy, Uttern and Valiant boats; Life Fitness and Hammer Strength fitness equipment; Brunswick bowling centers, equipment and consumer products; Brunswick billiards tables and foosball tables. For more information, visit www.brunswick.com .

 

[Loneranger]

Shame I cannot retrofit this onto my boat. A sound deadening project is on my list. I have reduced my generator noise by 5 db so far with a muffler change. I have antivibration mounts that I will be installing soon.

John

 

[320Bob]

There was an article in this month's Boating magazine where they tested a 250 SLX with this Quiet Ride techology against one without. They measured a 9 Db sound reduction which isn't that far off from Sea Ray's claim or 83 Db. The typical bowrider is 94 Db from their tests. What I found fasinating is part of the technology involved using a special coating on the inside of the hull that converted sound energy into heat. Another interesting thing they did is robotically drilled holes for the surface hardware like cleats to reduce any movement of these items. If Skipper Bud's had been willing to take my 320 in trade I would have purchased a 250SLX instead of the Chaparral 267 SSX. Chaparral is a much smaller company than Sea Ray which was one of the concerns I had since they would not likely have the R&D capability nor as sophisticated manufacturing techiques that Sea Ray does. In my opinion this is a pretty innovative piece of technology that most other smaller manufacturers would not likely have been able to develop. I know there have been a number of posts complaining about Sea Ray's declining quality. Well here is one dimension where it is definitely improving.

 

[andy k]

That is smart Idea. I cant wait until they install it on their larger boats.

 

[MonacoMike]

There was an article in this month's Boating magazine where they tested a 250 SLX with this Quiet Ride techology against one without. They measured a 9 Db sound reduction which isn't that far off from Sea Ray's claim or 83 Db. The typical bowrider is 94 Db from their tests. What I found fasinating is part of the technology involved using a special coating on the inside of the hull that converted sound energy into heat. Another interesting thing they did is robotically drilled holes for the surface hardware like cleats to reduce any movement of these items. If Skipper Bud's had been willing to take my 320 in trade I would have purchased a 250SLX instead of the Chaparral 267 SSX. Chaparral is a much smaller company than Sea Ray which was one of the concerns I had since they would not likely have the R&D capability nor as sophisticated manufacturing techiques that Sea Ray does. In my opinion this is a pretty innovative piece of technology that most other smaller manufacturers would not likely have been able to develop. I know there have been a number of posts complaining about Sea Ray's declining quality. Well here is one dimension where it is definitely improving.

Great insight Bob.

MM