New fresh air exhaust

[iamcdn]

Just got the new brushed stainless FAE installed. Should be able to test it out Sunday or Monday and will let you know how it works. I love the finish. I guess they are eliminating the black finish.

[NautiqueJeff]

Hope you used the PN link!

http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...stry-Discounts

[iamcdn]

Sorry Jeff, my dealer ordered it for me. Hopefully others will see this and use the link. My bad...

[scottb7]

Please do report out...i am thinking about this upgrade...how does it effect sound? how does it effect surf wake?

[Indy Rob]

Interested to see how it affects the wakeboard wake. On other friends boats, FAE's seems to hurt the wakeboard wake but no affect to the surf wake. I have no expierience with this specific FAE.

[nyryan2001]

With Nautique's equivalent about to hit dealers next month, at eat $1000 each.... Cost will be important... How much does this FAE cost?

did you have too still that support bracket into the transom?

[ES]

Interesting to know that they are discountinuing the black coated version. That's the one I got last year and after the first month, the black color started to flake off. Kudos for customer service to Larry @ FAE: I emailed him and they sent me a UPS label to return it and re-coated. I installed again last week, let's hope it holds up. Then again, it's purely a cosmetic issue and, unless on the boat lift, you cannot even see it.

Talking about performance: that thing is phenomenal. I don't think it affects the wake much, at least, I don't see an impact. The best feature for me is the noise reduction, I couldn't believe it. For $400-$500, I would probably just bought it for this feature alone! We can have a conversation in the boat now, without having to yell over the noise of the engine, even with music playing in the background.

When it comes to wakesurfing, it completely eliminated our head aches from breathing the exhaust fumes during the day, so another win there.

You can tell I am sold on FAE. I assume Nautique will probably implement something similar as standard on their boats. In the meantime, I wouldn't own another one without this gadget.

Regarding installation: I know they custom fit it based on each boat's measurements, so YMMV. For my 2010 210 SANTE, no holes in transom: the FAE attaches to 2 L brackets that are bolted to the platform central support.

[iamcdn]

This one cost $420 + $40 flapper. I actually had the dealer install it which cost me more but I am short on time so it was worth it. I hear it can cause a rooster tail but otherwise I have heard many more positives. Here is a pic of the mounting point.

[swankster]

On my 2010 230 there were no wake differences, the boat was quieter and no exhaust smell when surfing. I loved it and wish it worked on the G23. Hopefully Nautique's solution is not $1k.

[durty_curt]

I Have One Installed On My 04 WakeSetter VLX, Wake Is The Exact Same For Surf And Wakeboarding. The Only thing I Noticed Is That The Boat Comes Off Of Plane faster Due To A Little More Drag. One Of My top 5 extras that Ive Installed

[iamcdn]

Went out today and this thing performs as advertised. No visible exhaust, slightly quieter and no effect on surf or wake wave. No rooster tail. The boat was quieter but I have always thought it was quiet even before the exhaust

[ally505]

My eldest son hates the noise from the engine - too loud. We've got a 97 Sport so engine smack bang in the middle of the boat, perfectly placed to radiate noise everywhere.... I am wondering if the FAE would give a sizeable reduction in engine noise, I am not totally convinced it would (but would very much like to be proved wrong) as a lot of the noise will be coming from the engine and not just the exhaust. Question to all those who have FAE's on direct drives, was it worth it purely for the volume reduction aspect?

[ES]

Alli, I honestly notice the difference in volume mostly at idle. It's probably due to the exhaust being at water level. Once you get > 15 mph, I am not sure I remember a huge difference, especially with the water and wind noise.

If you have a chance, send your question to Larry, the owner of FAE. He has been very good at following up on my questions. His email is mail@boatpipes.com

[chris196]

Ally,
I have a FAE on a 1998 Ski, so I can do a direct drive analysis for you. I have a GT-40. I think what ES said is true. At idle it is very noticeable how much quieter it is. Not sure it makes a big difference when skiing at 32mph. There is a slight rooster tail, but not an issue when skiing at 15 or 22 off. Not sure it would be an issue at any line length, I just don't ski any shorter than that so can't say for sure.

I love the FAE and would definitely do it again. We sometimes use our boat for social reasons and it's great then. Also, just when idling around to get setup for a run or approaching the skier for pick up it makes a huge difference. Easy to talk to skier in the water and also the observer.

I would say that anything above low 20s mph and the engine whine and wind noise dominate inside the boat. FAE would still make a big difference behind the boat.

[chris196]

With regard to a possible nautique or other vendor solution, I think Larry (FAE) has a patent on this. That's why you don't see it offered by manufacturers. Maybe nautique has come up with a solution that doesn't violate the patent, but is more complex to implement.