TE35 and TE31 - Engine location

[trawlerdeejay]

Recently sold my Regal3780 flybridge and am downsizing. Have owned an Albin 28TE in the past. That boat had a Cummins 6BTA in a box on the cockpit. Lately, have been looking at Albin 35' and 31'hardtops on the internet.

Question- where is the engine in these models- in the cockpit or in the salon?

What's the noise level? (I'm VERY sensitive to noise). On my 28' Albin, had to raise our voice to converse with co-pilot. We finally wore foam earplugs. We ended up selling the boat--- just for that reason. Based on that experience, I cannot imagine a low noise level with an engine in an enclosed salon- right below your feet! (Seems like all the "downeast" style boats have the engine in the salon).

I don't ever want to go back to a boat where you cannot talk in normal tones, where an hour into a ride, you have a headache from the noise level.

Couple of months ago, was aboard a boat built by a local boat builder- a Mabry32. The engine was a 6 cyl. Volvo in a box right at the transom, connected to an I/O drive. Engine noise was so low with the salon door closed, we could actually whisper and be heard - as quiet as an automobile in the salon. Unfortunately, was not able to buy the boat.

Please give me all your input on this. All responses will be greatly appreciated.

[amber jj]

Our 31TE is under the salon and is quite noisey.I do wish it was quieter.We are running twin 370 Cummins.Maybe the Yanmars or single QSB's are quieter.

[DougSea]

The 35TE also has the engine(s) under the salon, as most conventional shafted boats do. Ours is a flybridge only boat (no lower helm) so I can't really comment on the running noise levels, I'm rarely below. I'll try and follow up with my wife since she and friends do occasionally ride below.

[whwells]

Nibbles is a 35te Sportfisher/Flybridge with twin Yanmar 315's. The boat has a lower station and is quiet. While I prefer to run it from the upper station there is absolutely no noise issue at the lower stations. We usually are below in rain or windy conditions.
Have had previously boats including my 290 Luhrs where noise was a serious issue. So do understand your concerns. Yanmar's are generally smooth and quite. That is clearly the case in our boat.
whwells "Howard"

[trawlerdeejay]

Thanks for the responses. Anyone out there with a 31' or 35' hardtop - with a single Yanmar engine- who can offer his/her observations?

[Pitou]

I'm running a Cummins QSC 8.3 electronic engine and it's not bad. Plenty of well thought out professionally installed sound insulation everywhere. Can also make cell phone calls comfortably. Don't get me wrong .. there is some noise, but not bad in my book.

I've been on some boats with engines under foot and they could have rattle my teeeth loose! I think it's all case by case with combination of engine and insulation. I do know that Albin had provided heavy lead weighted lead insulated carpets for the Salon floors on the 31. The previous owner of my boat threw it out saying that with the electronic engine (which is quieter than the mechanicals) along with the insulation package it was not necessary. I'm sure that it added some deadening though.

[irishwake]

My 31 has the carpeting, and you can talk at a normal level and be heard with no problems.

[Mike Ebert]

Same with my 31. I think they are well insulated below and I put a thick rubber pad under the new carpeting. Plenty quiet for me and I have a twin.

[zinbaad]

Mahalo has twin yanmars, been told by a friend with 32 pursuit, twin Cummins, quiet compared to Pursuit