Sound Levels on a 21EC

[cruz-in]

Hi All,

Despite lots of shopping and looking, I have neverr been on a 21EC while underway.

My one concern is noise level. Underway how is the noise level in:

The Cabin with windows and doors open?

The cabin closed up?

The cockpit ?

I realize this is a tuff question to answer. I am interested in things like can normal relaxed conversations be had in these areas while underway or is chatting tiring for speaker and listener because of background engine noise?

Thanks
Dan

 

[andrewcraft]

At low RPMs, engine noise isn't an issue. But start cranking up the RPMs (1800+) and noise will be an issue for some. I don't think there is a significate improvement by closing the cabin door. When talking while under way (6 knots), and inside the cabin, I find that I need a slight elevation in my voice to be heard. I don't find the noise overwhelming, but I'm sure many would find it unpleasant for extended trips.

My wife and I are taking our first long-distance cruise up to the San Juan's in a week. I'll let you know how we feel about the noise upon our return.

Andrew

 

[Champ]

Hi All,

Despite lots of shopping and looking, I have neverr been on a 21EC while underway.

My one concern is noise level. Underway how is the noise level in:

The Cabin with windows and doors open?

The cabin closed up?

The cockpit ?

I realize this is a tuff question to answer. I am interested in things like can normal relaxed conversations be had in these areas while underway or is chatting tiring for speaker and listener because of background engine noise?

Thanks
Dan

My wife and I were sure the 21EC was the boat we wanted, until we had a chance to ride on one. Painfully slow and for me, painfully noisey. I call it the "drone" of the engine. I'm sure for many these are not issues. Ride before you buy. Ride for 3-4 hours. If we could get this in an R-23 configuration with a Yamaha 115 hp outboard we buy it in a heart beat. Hoping to find an R-23.

 

[Two killicks]

In the cabin below 2500 rpm, it is a normal conversation on ours and in the cockpit, it's not bad at 2000 rpm...

 

[cruz-in]

How fast does 1800 to 2000 rpm push the R21EC?

 

[Captain Nice]

About 5 - 5-1/2 knots with the Volvo.

CN

 

[Two killicks]

between 5-5.5 kts on the yanmar as well

 

[cruz-in]

so at 5 to 5.5 knots, sound from the engine is minnimized?

That seems acceptable. When out for casual cruising, and wanting to chat, operate in the range of 5 knots and the added bit of speed is therre to get you home or somewhere quicker. Seem like a reasonable operating philosophy?

I see the noise concern as being one of the benefits of the 23 outboard configuration. Last week I was out on a friends boat (a 21 foot powerboat) and was amazed at how silent the large Yamaha outboard was. At 5 or 6 knots you could barely hear it.

 

[rt11002003]

If one finds the sound too loud, additional (or better, exp. Sound Down) sound suppression can be added to the engine box. It also helps to add material under the engine; helps reduce resonance thru the deck. I've never found it too loud; but, I don't hear well. And, leave my hearing aids in their cases. 🙂 My experience with twin O/B Yamaha 115 HP says they're quieter at lower rpm and operating speeds. But, can get noisy at 15 knots plus.

 

[rayzickrick]

How fast does 1800 to 2000 rpm push the R21EC?

My 2014 21EC with 30HP Volvo at 2000 RPM with two adults, 18 gallons of fuel, normal gear, is 7 MPH.
My perception of sound is different than most due to the fact of working in a power plant for 25 years.
I much prefer the sound of the Volvo diesel instead of the steam driven turbines.

 

[greeninbetween]

My wife and I sea-trialed a 21-EC yesterday, equipped with the Yanmar diesel. Having read the previous posts, one of our primary considerations was to analyze the noise level at various RPMs both in the cabin and at the aft seat in the cockpit. As long-time sailors, we are accustomed to slow speeds, as well as being realistic enough to admit that sailors become used to the drone of a diesel. In all our years of cruising the Chesapeake Bay and New England (usually on something of a schedule), we have motored more often than sailed. In our former home port on Barnegat Bay, we always had good wind for recreational day sailing, and the diesel was for getting on and off the dock. We found the R-21 to be quite tolerable at 5.5 to 6 knots, both in and out the cabin. Seven knots started to get a bit noisy for us, and anything over would best be reserved for shorter runs. WOT was around 3650 RPMs and loud. Under 2500 provided a good balance between speed and noise. As we will be using the boat out of Mill Creek on the Rappahannock for creek crawling and exploration, dinner cruising, some over-nighting , etc., we feel the R-21 is a good fit. Yes, we would have liked a larger Ranger Tug, but the boat ramp is but a half mile from our house, so we'll be dry sailing the 21, without having to get a bigger pick-up truck than the Tacoma.

 

[LADY JANE]

We just close the door when a stern wind is coming in with engine noise. But that's seldom. Even at full throttle, all's comfortable with all windows wide open. Honestly, it's not as quiet as a car. Around 1800-2000 RPM (@ 6-7 knots) makes a quick "Putt-Putt" or purring sound from a racing, 4-cycle idle.

 

[cruz-in]

My wife and I sea-trialed a 21-EC yesterday, equipped with the Yanmar diesel. Having read the previous posts, one of our primary considerations was to analyze the noise level at various RPMs both in the cabin and at the aft seat in the cockpit. As long-time sailors, we are accustomed to slow speeds, as well as being realistic enough to admit that sailors become used to the drone of a diesel. In all our years of cruising the Chesapeake Bay and New England (usually on something of a schedule), we have motored more often than sailed. In our former home port on Barnegat Bay, we always had good wind for recreational day sailing, and the diesel was for getting on and off the dock. We found the R-21 to be quite tolerable at 5.5 to 6 knots, both in and out the cabin. Seven knots started to get a bit noisy for us, and anything over would best be reserved for shorter runs. WOT was around 3650 RPMs and loud. Under 2500 provided a good balance between speed and noise. As we will be using the boat out of Mill Creek on the Rappahannock for creek crawling and exploration, dinner cruising, some over-nighting , etc., we feel the R-21 is a good fit. Yes, we would have liked a larger Ranger Tug, but the boat ramp is but a half mile from our house, so we'll be dry sailing the 21, without having to get a bigger pick-up truck than the Tacoma.

We live not too far from you all...in Southern Maryland on the Patuxent River. Once we get our R21 there will be two in the area.

 

[greeninbetween]

We live not too far from you all...in Southern Maryland on the Patuxent River. Once we get our R21 there will be two in the area

Just over-nighted last week on the Patuxent at Zahnhiser's Marina doing a sailboat delivery. I saw one other R-21 in Topping, VA, so there might be three minimalist tug drivers in the area! Stay in touch- we can organize a Chesapeake Ranger Tug get together/cruise/whatever. We should have our boat in about 2-3 weeks.

 

[cruz-in]

Small world, when you were ar Zanhizer"s you were only about 5 miles from our house. We live just over the big bridge from Solomons.

Getting togetner would be great...I will stay in touch...

 

[baz]

I love the sound of my 30HP Volvo.... so I'm kind of biased I suppose. It makes a nicer sound than did my Yanmar 4BY2-150 in our previous R-25 Classic.

Running the engine above 3000 rpm will require raising your voice some when sitting on the transom seating.

 

[baz]

Was out on our R-21EC yesterday with Daughter #1 and her husband and two young daughters. We were cruising most of the time at between 7 and 8 kts. We had no issues with talking with one another. It did take a raised voice to speak from the cabin to the transom seating area.

I must say the engine box itself along with its integral sound proofing material does a good job keeping the engine sound level at a reasonable level. This was evident by lifting the engine box and then lowering it to assess the sound level differences. I should have used my iPhone to record the dB differences. I'll do that next time.

My daughter and son-in-law are very impressed with the R-21EC and give it high marks for its 'value' in terms of cost. 🙂 They were saying they could use it with them sleeping in the v-berth and the kids in sleeping bags on either side of the engine box. 😱

 

[K7MXE]

Not hard to quiet a R21EC down. Just get some foam board from Home depot and put it between the source of the noise and you. Yes you loose space but its quiet now or quieter. I have it in the engine house, in the cabinet areas, storage area under the bunk. My stuff was used out of a junk RV but any one inch thick stuff will do. I made cardboard templates and did my cutting on a band saw but a good knife would work good too. I bet others have done the same thing.

 

[rayzickrick]

Was out on our R-21EC yesterday with Daughter #1 and her husband and two young daughters. We were cruising most of the time at between 7 and 8 kts. We had no issues with talking with one another. It did take a raised voice to speak from the cabin to the transom seating area.

I must say the engine box itself along with its integral sound proofing material does a good job keeping the engine sound level at a reasonable level. This was evident by lifting the engine box and then lowering it to assess the sound level differences. I should have used my iPhone to record the dB differences. I'll do that next time.

My daughter and son-in-law are very impressed with the R-21EC and give it high marks for its 'value' in terms of cost. 🙂 They were saying they could use it with them sleeping in the v-berth and the kids in sleeping bags on either side of the engine box. 😱

Baz, Every time I slip "Andi Lee" into the water she draws a crowd. And I mean EVERY TIME. They all marvel at the uniqueness and quality in workmanship. Of course the ladies all think she's cute.