Soundproof engine compartment

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   The black foam material on the back of the steps on my boat has degraded and is now shedding off in a messy fashion.
In looking for a replacement, it made me consider using peel and stick soundproofing material to try and reduce overall engine noise.

Has anyone tried this and what was your experience with it?

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Winner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 07 September 2011 Status: Offline Points: 222	Post Options Post Reply Quote Winner Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Soundproof engine compartment Posted: 04 May 2019 at 4:59pm
	The black foam material on the back of the steps on my boat has degraded and is now shedding off in a messy fashion. In looking for a replacement, it made me consider using peel and stick soundproofing material to try and reduce overall engine noise. Has anyone tried this and what was your experience with it?
	Chris Eclipse #240 Thunder Bay, ON

fatjohnz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 05 August 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 304	Post Options Post Reply Quote fatjohnz Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 May 2019 at 7:43am
	I have not done it yet Chris but I was told to use anchors with speed nuts (rather than peel & stick). https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/document.do?docId=1072&title=Soundown+Installation+Instructions+for+Sound+Proofing+Materials

Winner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 07 September 2011 Status: Offline Points: 222	Post Options Post Reply Quote Winner Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 May 2019 at 8:48am
	Yes I should have clarified that I would also use fasteners for extra support, but I did wonder if the peel and stick might give slightly better soundproofing due to the better contact with the bulkheads. Or maybe it's the other way around as less contact means less chance of transmitting noise? Those fasteners on the Jamestown website look unnecessarily complex and also leave you with a sharp tip. I'd probably just use SS #6 screws with a plastic washer and screw them into the bulkhead.
	Chris Eclipse #240 Thunder Bay, ON

Bill Layton Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 15 September 2002 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 551	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bill Layton Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 May 2019 at 4:42pm
	The foil covered foam that's stuck on the engine side of the steps was a pointless exercise when we built the boat. All the panels are wood and not insulated so at this age the foil covered foam is disintegrating and falling off and making a mess. I have been removing it completely as there is no point in having it unless the bottom of the cockpit is covered too along with both engine panels and the rear panel. Doing all this with something that would work would be quite heavy and most of us use the boat for racing purposes only. With this in mind adding weight doesn't make much sense.

John Mills Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 01 February 2016 Status: Offline Points: 122	Post Options Post Reply Quote John Mills Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 June 2019 at 4:46pm
	Whatever you use it should be fire resistant . Some foams can be pretty flammable. I agree with Bill , given the 1/4 inch uninsulated side panels and cockpit sole I doubt it does much to reduce sound .
	Unplugged # 164 NOTL

Winner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 07 September 2011 Status: Offline Points: 222	Post Options Post Reply Quote Winner Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 June 2019 at 9:29am
	I scraped the degrading foam off the back of the steps and replaced it with this stuff: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B074STNQBQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It's sold as 10mm thick but it was only maybe 6-7mm so I put two sheets down and screwed it in place in case the adhesive doesn't hold. I used an app on my phone to measure noise rating with the engine running before and after the installation and there was no difference at all. Considering the lack of difference, I'm reconsidering my plan to apply this stuff to the entire engine compartment. I will say that a 20" x 160" roll of this stuff was very light. Maybe a pound at most. So I wouldn't worry much about adding weight to the boat with this stuff. The question is whether it works well enough to warrant the trouble. Some sound deadening materials that are butyl based are much heavier. Edited by Winner - 09 June 2019 at 9:31am
	Chris Eclipse #240 Thunder Bay, ON

John Mills Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 01 February 2016 Status: Offline Points: 122	Post Options Post Reply Quote John Mills Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 June 2019 at 6:12pm
	Looks like the right stuff . Issue is there are so many ways sound will get transferred including through the motor mounts to the glass . Does it soak up moisture ? I like this - fire and fuel resistant https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0754LN16C/ref=sspa_dk_hqp_detail_aax_0?psc=1
	Unplugged # 164 NOTL

frfletch Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 13 May 2008 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 365	Post Options Post Reply Quote frfletch Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 July 2019 at 12:27pm
	I think trying to soundproof the engine is a waste of time. Without a huge amount of trouble, expense, and weight gain you won't make it happen. Far too much sound leakage opportunity with the boat constructed as is. Not to mention that the engine side panels terminate aft to a small athwartship panel that does not go completely to the top. Sealing all this up would be a big project. The best one can do while motoring is put the storm boards in to block noise from the cabin and close cockpit windows (if your boat has them), and that's it. If you are downstairs, then you must learn to enjoy the sound of the engine.

Bill Layton Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 15 September 2002 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 551	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bill Layton Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 July 2019 at 1:09pm
	Diesel powered sailboats are not required to have engine compartment blowers because Diesel fuel is not easy to ignite. For those who are not aware.. you can have an open gallon of diesel fuel and throw a lit match into it and it will not catch fire. The only way diesel ignites is that it must be atomized into a fine mist before it will combust. That only occurs during the compression stroke in the diesel or Diesel will ignite if it reaches it's flash point. Diesel fuel flash points vary between 52 and 96 °C (126 and 205 °F) whereas Gasoline has a much lower flashpoint and ignites rapidly.