It will be interesting to see what people have done as I would like to make my engine quiet .I did put a sound proofing materal I had left over from wrapping the mask in the salon on top of the engine cover it did make some improvement. The cooling should not matter as we use sea water to cool our engines

Larry started a thread about this --> [url]http://www.c36ia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1478&highlight=engine+cover...

I posted some pics of the sound insulation I added when I modified my engine cover (see post #8). Larry split my reply into 2 threads, one on the engine cover mod, the other on the sound insulation. My pictures are in the thread on the engine cover mods.

If you look at my pics, you'll see that I had to cut out some insulation here and there to clear components on the front of the engine, and the alternator.

The difference in sound level is amazing. I only did the engine cover, not the aft cabin bulkhead or the engine cover in the aft cabin. That would probably improve the sound level even more.

Was one of my better improvements.

I may have posted this in that earlier thread:

[url]http://www.sailorssolutions.com/index.asp?page=ProductDetails&Item=SPM01...

No personal experience, but I'm getting close...:cool:

I went to the web site Stu had and the material sounds interesting has any one used it?,

I won't recommend it though it adds ALOT of weight to the box and i don't know how much sound reduction, some i suppose but not enough to off set the added weight. if i had to do it over again i would look for a different solution..!!!!

I used the same material from sailors solution as Gary did. As he had stated it is one of rhe better investments. With ours I did not have to do any cut outs as our cover fit just fine. Just take your time and it will come just fine. It is very easy to work with and cut. I just took and laid the squares out then used a long blade razor knife to cut them. As for weight. To me it was not that much as there is lead in the tiles. I would recommend this if you want the most bang for the buck.

Randy
Are these the same 1ftby1ftby1in tiles?Did you read the imput from Mike? is the cover that much heaver and did it improve the noise foe you?

I'm not saying it doesn't reduce the noise it does, to what degree I can't say. I do know that it is NOT 90% as the write up from sailor's solution states. Maybe it is just me but if have to physically pick up the engine compartment box not just tilt it I can tell a big difference in the weight, maybe i should work out more? it could be that the box is somewhat different on a Mark II versus a Mark I. I have thought about rebuilding the box using thinner dimensional plywood to see if i could reduce the weight after all it doesn't really DO anything other than supply some support for the ladder and a covering for the engine. Maybe the tile is the way to go, it certainly is durable and it has held up well i have had in now for about 4 years.

Mike, if you're considering rebuilding the box, you might want to consider the mods I made, as described in this thread
[url]http://www.c36ia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=562http://www.c36ia.com/for...

I haven't had to remove the entire engine cover since I modified it; I can change the oil, impeller (hate that Sherwood pump), adjust/change the alternator belt, all through the hatches. I figured I'd put my back out sooner or later moving that big heavy cover, so the work to modify it has been well worth it. Since the cover comes apart fairly easily, you could modify just top/front by making new parts if you don't want to chance destroying the originals. I tested my mods on some scrap parts before tackling the factory parts and did it long before I built my woodworking shop with basic tools.

Just a thought.

Gary,
As the the politicians say, i re-remeber see your thread before, it just didn't click till now. don't want to hijack the thread but that is something to consider and it would make life (at least mine) easier. thanks for the heads up.

Bill,
Yes they are the same 1ft x1ft tiles that sailors solution sells. It is where I got them. As before stated it is not a 90% reduction but it does help. My wife was the proof. I guess weight wise it was not a lot as I just remove the whole cover at one time. It is just a personal issue. I do notice more sound in the aft cabin now as that area was not done. It is our garage as we live aboard 6 months a year. If this helps I just measured 1 tile and it weights 1lb3oz. I bought the 18 tile kit and have a few left over as they will go in the aft section eventually.

Last February, I had the chance to attend the Miami Boat Show. While I was there, I specifically found and spoke to a salesman from Soundown Corporation.

I learned a lot about engine sound absorption, specifically, that sound deadening material is a complex blend of different density foams with a solid material between them. They must be strong, fire rated and properly applied.

This spring I ordered and installed Soundown's 1.5" 1 lb Vinyl/Foam Composite with mounting hardware, adhesive and tape inside the engine cover.

I don't regret the project and recommend it to anyone serious about quieting your engine. The cost was $289.47 including shipping and it took a couple hours to complete the installation.

To be sure, it adds significant weight to the engine cover, but I'm 61 and don't feel it's too heavy.

The difference between what came from Catalina and this material is like "night and day" so it should be heaver.

Now to report on the effectiveness, when I'm at the helm and the engine is running, the loudest sound comes from the aft, out the exhaust! Not that I can't hear the engine, but it's louder behind me.

We quickly got very used to the reduced engine noise and can't really remember how loud it used to be, but I'll add the rest of the material to the aft engine cover next spring.

Take a look [url]http://www.soundown.com/[/url]

Hi Chuck. On the cover I removed all of the old Catalina insulation then added the new insulation. One of my projects here in the next couple of weeks is to add the insulation in the aft section and to make a cover for the rear where the transmission is.

Randy, if you get a chance, when next you have the engine cover off can you get a couple photos?

Larry yes I will do that for everyone.

Here is the pictures of the 12 x 12 tiles from Sailors Solution that we installed.

Thanks, Randy.

While i was changing the exhaust elbow and had the cabinetry off the back of the motor,i decided to soundproof as best i could...hopefully the picture reveals this ok...it made a noticeable difference and was worth doing.I also put this material on the wall between the galley and the aqua lift muffler..you can see some of this on the right side of photo.