quiet outboard options for a well

[Ross Williams]

We have a CD26 with the outboard in the well. The boat is powered by a 9.9 Tohatsu 2 stroke O/B which runs fine and moves the boat well but is very loud. When running the o/b at 1/2 throttle we can't even hear people hailing us on the VHF located by the sink! Because of the loudness, we're considering investing in a 10hp 4stroke, probably either a yamaha or honda. We're under the big assumption that a 4stroke will be quieter given the well setup. Before making this type of investment I wanted to ask other owners if they find a significant sound level difference between the 2 and 4 stroke outboards in the well. I'd hate to make the purchase and still have to yell over the engine noise to talk with my family in the cockpit. If the consensus does come back that things would be quieter, any recommendations on honda vs yamaha? Would both require any re-working to the exhaust setup to be successful in the well? We prefer to run with the cover closed when possible to muffle some of the sound. Thanks in advance for any suggestions! Given that we live in the Portland, Maine area the boat is now tucked away for the season. It was our first season and we love the CD 26 and this website!! Ross & Sandra Williams



rosswilli@aol.com

[Tom Dale]

Ross and Sandra,
I used to have 8HP Mariner on my CD-25. The noise drove me crazy too. When it died, I replaced it with a 5HP Honda 4 stroke. What a difference! There is still noise but NOTHING like that noisy 2-stroke. I can't advise which motor is better (Honda/Yamaha). Both motors get very high praise for reliability from the people I know who own them. Since noise is such an important factor, you may want to inquire about the decibel levels if the manufacturer publishes those. Be wary though, there are different methods of measuring decibels so stated figures may be like comparing apples to oranges.
Tom



choice@nternet.net

[John K.]

Ross

My CD26 came with a Johnson 9.9 2-stroke and yes it was very noisy. I've since replaced it with a new Yamaha 9.9 4-stroke. It's less noisy than the Johnson, but I'm afraid it's still pretty loud even with the engine well hatch closed and boards dropped in. The next thing I want to try is installing sound proofing insulation inside the engine cowl (kits are available) and inside the engine well itself.

I chose the Yamaha over the Honda because the Yamaha:
1. comes in a "high thrust" model, perfect for pushing a sailboat. In fact, 1/2 throttle will give 4.5 to 5 knots and that cuts down on the noise.
2. has the engine controls out on the end of the tiller which puts them right in the cockpit - very neat.
3. seems to have taken care of the old "choking fumes" problem by re-routing some exhaust lines. I can run the engine with the hatch closed at all times and not choke the engine.

Good Luck

[John Reizian]

Any sense as to whether the Yamaha 9.9 4 stroke will fit in the well of a CD25?

Ross

My CD26 came with a Johnson 9.9 2-stroke and yes it was very noisy. I've since replaced it with a new Yamaha 9.9 4-stroke. It's less noisy than the Johnson, but I'm afraid it's still pretty loud even with the engine well hatch closed and boards dropped in. The next thing I want to try is installing sound proofing insulation inside the engine cowl (kits are available) and inside the engine well itself.

I chose the Yamaha over the Honda because the Yamaha:
1. comes in a "high thrust" model, perfect for pushing a sailboat. In fact, 1/2 throttle will give 4.5 to 5 knots and that cuts down on the noise.
2. has the engine controls out on the end of the tiller which puts them right in the cockpit - very neat.
3. seems to have taken care of the old "choking fumes" problem by re-routing some exhaust lines. I can run the engine with the hatch closed at all times and not choke the engine.

Good Luck

jlreizian@snet.net

[Jim Stull]

We have a CD26 with the outboard in the well. The boat is powered by a 9.9 Tohatsu 2 stroke O/B which runs fine and moves the boat well but is very loud. When running the o/b at 1/2 throttle we can't even hear people hailing us on the VHF located by the sink! Because of the loudness, we're considering investing in a 10hp 4stroke, probably either a yamaha or honda. We're under the big assumption that a 4stroke will be quieter given the well setup. Before making this type of investment I wanted to ask other owners if they find a significant sound level difference between the 2 and 4 stroke outboards in the well. I'd hate to make the purchase and still have to yell over the engine noise to talk with my family in the cockpit. If the consensus does come back that things would be quieter, any recommendations on honda vs yamaha? Would both require any re-working to the exhaust setup to be successful in the well? We prefer to run with the cover closed when possible to muffle some of the sound. Thanks in advance for any suggestions! Given that we live in the Portland, Maine area the boat is now tucked away for the season. It was our first season and we love the CD 26 and this website!! Ross & Sandra Williams

We have a CD25 with a 8 HP Honda. We have rerouted the bypass exhaust out of the well so we can cruise with the cover down. We have also fitted sound reducing insulation from Defender. The boat is now as quite under power as a friends CD28.



jtstull @icubed.com

[Jim Stull]

We have a CD26 with the outboard in the well. The boat is powered by a 9.9 Tohatsu 2 stroke O/B which runs fine and moves the boat well but is very loud. When running the o/b at 1/2 throttle we can't even hear people hailing us on the VHF located by the sink! Because of the loudness, we're considering investing in a 10hp 4stroke, probably either a yamaha or honda. We're under the big assumption that a 4stroke will be quieter given the well setup. Before making this type of investment I wanted to ask other owners if they find a significant sound level difference between the 2 and 4 stroke outboards in the well. I'd hate to make the purchase and still have to yell over the engine noise to talk with my family in the cockpit. If the consensus does come back that things would be quieter, any recommendations on honda vs yamaha? Would both require any re-working to the exhaust setup to be successful in the well? We prefer to run with the cover closed when possible to muffle some of the sound. Thanks in advance for any suggestions! Given that we live in the Portland, Maine area the boat is now tucked away for the season. It was our first season and we love the CD 26 and this website!! Ross & Sandra Williams

We have a CD25 with a 8 HP Honda. We have rerouted the bypass exhaust out of the well so we can cruise with the cover down. We have also fitted sound reducing insulation from Defender. The boat is now as quite under power as a friends CD28.



jtstull @icubed.com

[John K.]

John

I don't know the 25 so I can't say, but if you search this BB on that subject, you will find a ton of info!

[Dana Arenius]

If you like, button on the web page below for the Yamaha 9.9 installation details on my CD26...take a look at the bottom of the web page for a radio button to the outboard link....Dana

We have a CD26 with the outboard in the well. The boat is powered by a 9.9 Tohatsu 2 stroke O/B which runs fine and moves the boat well but is very loud. When running the o/b at 1/2 throttle we can't even hear people hailing us on the VHF located by the sink! Because of the loudness, we're considering investing in a 10hp 4stroke, probably either a yamaha or honda. We're under the big assumption that a 4stroke will be quieter given the well setup. Before making this type of investment I wanted to ask other owners if they find a significant sound level difference between the 2 and 4 stroke outboards in the well. I'd hate to make the purchase and still have to yell over the engine noise to talk with my family in the cockpit. If the consensus does come back that things would be quieter, any recommendations on honda vs yamaha? Would both require any re-working to the exhaust setup to be successful in the well? We prefer to run with the cover closed when possible to muffle some of the sound. Thanks in advance for any suggestions! Given that we live in the Portland, Maine area the boat is now tucked away for the season. It was our first season and we love the CD 26 and this website!! Ross & Sandra Williams

darenius@aol.com