Reducing the noise

[Beowulf]

Like all express boats the helm area is located right on top of the engines. This feature makes for a noisy ride when making the 3 hour trip to the Canyon's. While at the New York boat show I came across what looks like a solution. Piratecom makes a headphone set for boats. The headset looks like the same I have used on small planes. You can have outlets installed at any point on the boat and you plug your headset into that port. We tried them at the show and where impressed with the sound quality. You can talk to others that have the set or listen to your VHF or sound system. It eliminates almost all the outside noise. You can actually speak with someone on the VHF at full speed. I understand the company is comming out with a wireless system next year. I wanted to know if anyone has this installed on their boat.

Steve
Beowulf, Cape May, NJ
CC 32

[Nutz]

So far all I did was add extra rubber insulation tape around the underside of the hatch making sure to leave no gaps. It cut down the noise quite a bit, especially the high whine of the turbochargers. I can hear the radios good at cruise and can converse with crew at a just slightly higher than normal level.

[JohnD]

noise

I simply mounted a small speaker on the box over helm, I can hear the radio even when running to fishing grounds. Since don't have a turbo I don't get that whine.
Buddy with 32 (Phenoix) found sound deadening material in 4x8 sheets. About 1/2 thick and very heavy. We glued inside his engine boxes and significantly reduced sound from his big detroits.
jd

[Agitator]

Noise Reduction

The as needed replacement and addition of gaskets around the helm deck help. I tried some shooting muffs and other headsets, but found that I would rather hear the sounds that the boat makes when running. After all those hours of running to and from the stream I know what the boat sounds like when all is well and nothing is adrift or vibrating. After the instruments, I am not sure that my ears are not the best source of detecting problems.

Agitator CC28

[Nutz]

Forgot to add that I have 2 VHF plus SSB and each radio has its own remote speaker mounted at the helm beneath the steering wheel where the helm station slopes towards the bulkhead. If I was relying on the built in speakers I would probably have some difficulty hearing complete transmissions.