REDUCING NOISE

Engine and mechanical noise is tiring, can contribute to seasickness and generally takes the pleasure out of boating. In 2004 the EU decided that they needed to act and voted to introduce new noise limits for all new craft produced under the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD). This new legislation has been the single biggest event in recent years regarding noise reduction for leisure craft forcing many manufacturers to radically change their approach to their exhaust solutions. The new limits have been enforceable since January 2006 and in the build up to this deadline and beyond, Halyard has been working tirelessly with a number of leading boat manufacturers and various naval architects, to ensure that we can get their boat’s exhaust systems to comply with the new regulations.

Very simply, the regulations state that for any boat sold within the EU, single engined craft must not exceed 75dbA when measured from a distance of 25m and twin engined craft must not exceed 78dbA. On every single model of boat that Halyard Marine Exhaust Systems have been used, noise emissions have been reduced to below the required levels of the RCD.

In addition and quite apart from the RCD regulations, owners’ expectations with regard to noise levels on board have evolved and the market is quite rightly demanding ever quieter boats. Halyard is Europe’s leading company in designing systems that meet or exceed these exacting demands for noise and vibration levels, either on a bespoke basis for one-off projects or for production craft.