|
|
|
One of Tony Accurso’s central concerns was that Touch be as quiet as possible.
by Shaw McCutcheon
photography by NVT
|
08/01/2005
|
One of Tony Accurso’s central concerns was that Touch be as
quiet as possible, so he hired Noise Vibration Techniek (NVT), which at the time
was associated with Van Cappellen Consultancy, one of the top noise specialists
in the yachting industry. Van Cappellen came up with specifications for
Touch, which NVT implemented with its own
products.
NVT’s Steve Hadik points out that virtually every yacht now
soft-mounts engines, generators, pumps and other vibration-producing systems on
rubber isolators to reduce noise. In Touch,
however, Accurso went to extremes. The isolators on the diesels, for instance,
tested at nearly 100% vibration isolation. Even the electrical control boxes are
isolated from the aluminum structure.
 Cabin isolation. (Click image to enlarge)
The entire interior was built
box-within-a-box, "floated" on vibration-reducing mounts. Stateroom walls
consist of two special acoustic-cored plywood sheets, some weighing up to 120
pounds, separated by elastomer strips. Voids are filled with sound-absorbing
foam.
To deaden footfalls, sea spray and other noise, broad surfaces such as the
hull sides, fuel tank tops under the soles and the sole itself were sprayed with
a water-based vinyl noise damping paste. And the engine room walls and overhead
were covered with an MCA-accepted acoustic and fire protection blanket.
The
bowthruster is also on mounts with a liberal application of damping paste. Air
handlers were installed with special sound baffles and NVT even recommended
noiseless cabinet and door latches.
During sea trials in Florida, winds were
gusting up to 25 knots in six- to eight-foot seas, conditions that would test
the abilities of any noise specialist. Average decibel readings at cruising
speed ranged from a mere 53 decibels in the salon over the engine room down to
an ultra-quiet 44 decibels in the owner’s stateroom – about as much noise as an
empty church at night.
 Against the Tide
|
|
|
|
|
; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
Email This
Printer Friendly Version
Reprints & Permissions
Most Popular Searches