Just how noisy / thirsty are they?

[Evildwarf]

@Evildwarf I will be relocating to Jacksonville, FL within the next couple months. If your ever near the area, Ill give you a chance to drive it.

I will gladly take you up on that offer ScarabMike!
I'll bring the cold beer.

 

[maboat]

My 150 Yamaha outboard vs. my sx190 is so noticeable, it's shouldn't even be in the same sentence to be comparable.

The only comparable note between the two is that they are both yamaha built. But the dynamics of an outboard motor compared to a watercraft motor is night and day.

True an true. But I must say the current outboard engines on the market today are AMAZINGLY quiet. So quiet that sometimes you have to check to see if its running. Nice, but also kinda scary being that quiet with an exposed prop

 

[msavold]

Folks,
it's time for an update!

I've been wondering for some time about quantifying the improvements of the latest models over previous years, out of curiosity and because it might help convince the Admiral that we "need" a new boat!

Thanks to the Boattest data online, I've added some of the new boats to the spreadsheet and compared them to the older models. I've also done a chart comparing AR230/AR240s over the years - choosing that model because we have a 2012 SX240 and because data was available for all the various versions so IMO it gives a good representation of the progression.

I've also thrown in what around here are the more common "alternatives": Hurricane deck boat, pontoon, and tri-toon. For the pontoon, I went with one with twin 200 hp outboards (similar to the power rating in an AR240) and a tri-toon with a single 300 hp outboard - again, similar to Yamaha for power. I would expect improvements in noise control in later model outboards so I would think using later model toons and outboards is quite a fair comparison.

Spoiler Alert!

1. at 30 mph, a common cruising speed for us, our 2012 would be at 87dBA whereas a new model would only be running at 71 dBA!!! (10 dBA difference is about twice as loud and 20 dBA is about FOUR TIMES as loud - and we're somewhere between those numbers)
2. the 2013 240s actually ended up louder than the previous version of 230s? As expected/reported, the newer models are much quieter through the range.
3. A Hurricane deck boat with an outboard 225 is MUCH quieter up to about 10 mph but after that is AS LOUD as our 240 and LOUDER than the 2020 240 (45/90 vs 45/83 - 7 dBA louder) - this one surprised me.
4. Except at 'no wake' speeds, pontoons are louder than the new boats and over 30 mph are as loud as our 'old' 240! (Also a surprise.) There's a graph of pontoons vs Yamahas that shows this.

Next step is to finally get off my butt, take some sound readings on my boat similar to what Boattest does to see how it compares and then finally hit it with some sound insulation and repeat the process. I think that'll happen before I can convince her hat we need a new boat! ;-)

 

[OCMD]

LOL too much time on your hands @msavold ?

 

[haknslash]

Sometimes it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. I followed that mantra all during my motorcycling years with MANY motorcycles and the wife never approved of any of them and we are still married

You only live once so if you want a new boat and it's affordable to you, get it.

 

[Matt Phillips]

I agree in that the BoatTest data on fuel and noise is pretty solid..they don't have any real reason not to present it for what it is. Yamaha has also done a good job lately of making these boats quieter. My 17 is WAY quieter than the 09. I think when you're comparing these boats to the traditional I/Os out there, the Yamaha has a higher pitch to it than a throaty marinazed V8. I attribute this to these being smaller engines turning at a much higher RPM.

Is one inherently better than the other? Meh...it's all about personal preference.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

@msavold what a great thread and thanks for updating ! That was a lot of work putting together those spreadsheets!

 

[gman_gm]

My 150 Yamaha outboard vs. my sx190 is so noticeable, it's shouldn't even be in the same sentence to be comparable.

Sorry if I am stupid but what does this mean? - is the 150hp outboard better on gas and noise, or are you comparing performance? please clarify.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

It means his 150 outboard engine on a different boat is much quieter than his SX 190

 

[ACRDSPORT14]

Sorry if I am stupid but what does this mean? - is the 150hp outboard better on gas and noise, or are you comparing performance? please clarify.

The outboard is considerably quieter and gas mpg is better. With that being said, I have a AR210 and love it.

 

[steelhorse454]

Being an old gearhead myself, I love the excessive sound of my 2023 AR195. When you are doing 50mph, I want to know it...
My old custom Harley has loud pipes, as did my big block Chevelle, etc. etc.