noise level on newer o/b versus older o/b

[warrior1]

this may be a silly question but... ... are newer outboards any quieter than the older outboards?
i ask this because i run a 79 140 evinrude on my carlson. my wife says its too noisy and wants to get a newer I/O bowrider. (my friend has a reinell with a v-8 and it is much quieter than my evinrude.)
so, to keep my carlson, i am thinking of getting a newer looper or EFI motor. however, if they are not any quieter, during cruising or WOT then i may just sell my boat and succumb to the bowrider idea.

bear in mind, i know that inherently, by design, an outboard is going to be noisier than a well insulated I/O, and i have heard the guys with the mecs screaming across the lake. im just curious if there are quieter outboard models than my old 79 v-4.
thanks in advance for your input.

[Jon.Bucy]

Hell yes, newer STOCK outboards are alot quieter in almost all brands. For instance a new Looper (E-tec) as well as 4 stroke outboards.

[vnemous]

Some of these 4 strokes are so quiet I have heard a couple of stories of guys tying up at the dock, with the engine running, and leaving.:thumbsup:

[Lockjaw]

They are alot quieter at idle and low speeds. Doesn't matter what it is, when you are turning it 5 to 6k, its going to make some noise.

We were out in a toon the other day with a 4 stroke yammie on it, and it was turning about 6k, and I sure didn't like the noise it made.

[typhoon]

The four strokes are ridiculously quiet. I used to borrow a workboat with a 50 Honda on it, sometimes I'd have to look at the tell tale to see if the engine was running!
A great way to quieten an older outboard is to have a heavily padded cowl cover made up, kills a lot of high frequency noises.
I used to make them with 15mm EVA foam sewn into them.

Regards, Andrew.

[warrior1]

thanks, typhoon, i will try the padded cover. my cowl has no padding or insulation whatsoever.

i may look into a newer 4 stroke around wintertime.

[Markus]

They are alot quieter at idle and low speeds. Doesn't matter what it is, when you are turning it 5 to 6k, its going to make some noise.

We were out in a toon the other day with a 4 stroke yammie on it, and it was turning about 6k, and I sure didn't like the noise it made.

While a 2-stroke at WOT sings "I like it, gimme more", a 4-stroke is yelling "please don't punish me, please back off the throttle, please"

[AwesomeBullet]

My Etec is quiet enough to cruise at 4000 rpm jamming to the stereo....only have to fight the wind noise...I don't really hear the engine at all until it climbs up over 5000rpm...

[warrior1]

thanks, bullet, thats what im looking for. something i can cruise with that isnt as loud as what i have now. when the wife is in the boat with me, thats about the range where we cruise, 3000-4000. it would be nice to hold a conversation at that speed.
when i am by myself, the boat stays at 5600. i dont mind the noise.

[LIQUID NIRVANA]

The E-Tecs are so quiet at idle that a 'lock out' has been incorporated into the starter motor circuit so you cannot attempt to restart the motor whilst it is running.