Second in a 2 part interview with Sam Smullin from Soundown at the FLIBS 2018. So much to say about airborne noise and structure based noise, I had to break it down into two interviews.
SOUNDOWN: So our carpet alignment combines a nice plush padding with an acoustic mass layer. By having that padding underneath the mass layer you actually can increase the performance of that acoustic material as well as providing a very nice underfoot feel. Replacing the standard just foam carpet padding that you’d find in most carpets, you may be able to add over the old material to increase the performance of what’s there.
SKIPPER’S REVIEW: I have not seen any other businesses that cover insulation at the boat show, is Soundown the main guy as far as boat manufacturers are concerned?
SOUNDOWN: Soundown certainly is one of the main guys. When you come to us with a problem we don’t have to try and make your problem fit our solution we have a solution for your problem and we have the range of product. If someone just sells mounts they’re gonna try and find a way to relate that to a vibration issue or a noise structure issue. If you have an airborne noise what you really need is insulation. We have the background and understanding to come up with what the best solution is for you and then we can also provide those products as well.
Is insulating your boat for all shapes and sizes?
SKIPPER’S REVIEW: Do you run the gamut or are you more focused on superyachts?
SOUNDOWN: So we run the gamut. We do a lot of work with production builders. Soundown sells direct to them for stuff they’re putting in at the new build stage and then we deal with them all the way up to the large mega yachts. One-off custom yachts where there is an acoustic consultant involved will come up with what the details are. Then we work with them to come up with the right product mix to meet the noise level in that specification.
SKIPPER’S REVIEW: What about performance, does it affect the performance of the boat at all when everything is kind of calmed down and insulated?
SOUNDOWN: Not particularly, I mean in some very specific boats they are concerned about weight so we will work with lighter weight materials.
Soundown tells us if insulating the boat against vibration will help with the wear and tear of the engine?
SKIPPER’S REVIEW: Is it also less wear and tear on the engine, does it help in that aspect?
SOUNDOWN: Certainly having a good mounting system is nice for the engines as you don’t have any of that big vibration which can cause problems.
SKIPPER’S REVIEW: Okay Sam thank you so much.
SOUNDOWN: Thank you very much.
Access Part 1 Soundown Interview
