Greenwater Exhaust System Finished (pictures)

[Pura Vida]

Greenwater Exhaust has completed my new system which is now installed and operational. I am posting this review, not because there are any other Ocean Alexander's with Detroit Diesels here, but for those facing upcoming (and inevitable) exhaust decisions on their Cummins and/or Hinos so you can see what one vendor, active here on BOC, can supply in a very competitive market. While I am sure that both companies (National Marine Exhaust the other) manufacture excellent products, I made the decision to use Greenwater primarily based on his agressive package pricing, and the free ceramic coating he offered for orders placed in January, 2008.

You will recall I had 4 can style risers before, and exhaust acid had finally eaten the internals to the point they were leaking saltwater back into the turbos after shutdown. One turbo was replaced when I bought the boat a year ago, one last summer, and the last two during this exhaust system replacement when I found corrosion damage hiding inside the turbo cases. One turbo had a hole the size of a shirt button in the case, which would have grown to be a big problem had I not found it. Riser cans, or any riser elbows where corrosion failure can allow seawater back into the turbo, is a bad design from the get-go. Consider what those four turbos alone cost me.

Dave Dooling had a better idea. Because my turbo outlets are well above the water line, and I have lift mufflers to stop wave surge up the exhaust, he would fabricate the mixers to leave the turbos with a positive down angle, eliminating the big 180 degree elbow altogether and forever ending the risk of saltwater incursion back into the turbos. And this design would also eliminate some backpressure from the riser elbow itself. It also cleans up part of the piping maze in the engine room, providing a more sanitary look.

Here is the starboard engine with the exhaust assembled. The port parts are on the floor so you can see what the components look like.



The next two pictures are of the port engine from above and below. Note the chrome finish look that the ceramic coating generates. "Pretty" is all I can think of to describe them.





Finally the starboard side with the heat blankets re-installed. I should give credit here that those blankets came from Scott at National Marine Exhaust.



All in all, I have to say that I am extremely pleased with what Dave designed and manufactured for my boat. Working with him was very straight forward, and he was good on every commitment he made. I have nothing but good to say about his products, costs, and services and he has my recommendation.

Ps. As a footnote, on my first run to make sure all was well, I hit a full 2750 rpms and 23.5 knots. I had never made over 2600 rpm before, with 22 knots my top speed. I did clean my intercooler boxes while the boat was laid up, which might have contributed, but the elimination of the 180 degree risers is likely part if not all of the reason for this increase in performance.

Stuart

[dmcb]

Very nice Stuart.
Doug

[Incommunicado]

Yup Mike, Shameless
Bill

[tundra_honky]

Thank you for sharing your experience. It helps me make my next decision which will be a costly one in deciding between the two different styles/manufactures in risers.

I had heard one thing about the Greenwater system. That the welds would fail early, resulting in failed risers before the stainless material used to fabricate the riser. Unless i hear more reports i will dismiss this as either bad information or a very isolated case.

Thank you again.

Tundra_honky

[TimeLess32]

Wow. Do you have 3 pieces for each engine? That must have been pricey. At the Seattle boat show I was talking to a guy (might have been from National Exhaust). He said their product for my 150 Hinos ran so cool that they didn't need the blankets; something about the tower design and double wall....

[Pura Vida]

Yep, three pieces for each engine. Blankets in this case are for the turbos, not the exhaust mixer components. I ran them without the blankets once and burned the overhead including the shifter cables which ran right above two of the turbos. Just replaced both of them while awaiting the new exhaust parts.

Now, off to the boat for an overnighter at the La Conner docks.

[Pura Vida]

This statement has been bothering me and I just cannot let it pass unchallanged.

I had heard one thing about the Greenwater system. That the welds would fail early, resulting in failed risers before the stainless material used to fabricate the riser. Unless I hear more reports I will dismiss this as either bad information or a very isolated case.

It is certain that every fabrication company in the known world has had a pin hole in a weld line from time to time, and the question is how often and what was done about it. The way you worded your comment, while hopefully unintentional, makes it sound like you've heard that there is a serious history of welding failures with Greenwater products. Given they have been in business for 13 years, it would be hard to comprehend their continued existence were this to be true. Yet the implied doubt here reads like a banner headline directed to those who might be considering which company will fabricate their next risers or exhaust system components. And while you might "dismiss the comment" if you don't hear more, will everyone else be so gracious?

I know that Dave from Greenwater emailed you asking whom you were talking about so he could investigate and make it right, but you have not responded. I think in all fairness you should lend some factual credibility to your comment or retract the implication. "I have heard……….but I will dismiss….." is really unfair unless you have specific and credible data.

[tundra_honky]

So where to start. First of all my appogizes for offending you and or your friend from Green Water. Very nice, guy i spoke with him on the phone.

I am a new 38 owner looking to educate my self on hino enignes, and all the other great things this web site allows us as owners to share.

In my investigation in looking to replace/upgreade my risers. I posted asking folks for their history and experiences. I got some, not the somking gun i was hoping for.

In reading the lists, of responses from other folks on risers, i also read that the can style had failed, causing damage to the Engine. I thought that was the entire design feature of the can style. So, where am i still dont know which one is better.

As far as where i received my information. I was told the welds on those risers had been failing early. Just like i read about can style failing and causing damage. So...I'm not going to start a big war, on this posting. I posted what i was told/read. By posting it i was expecting someone like your self to post a response. Which by the way, your response has (had) me leaning towards purchasing from Green water. If the product is just as good, cost less, and takes up less room. Then why look further. I dont have a money tree, and living in Alaska i just cant run down to NHD, or down the street to any one. I have to do research. Thats what i am doing, pretty simple to me.

If green water was attempting to contact me to set the record straight his concern for quality must be in the right place.

However, dont insinuate that i have been ignoring Greenwater. I have received NO email. However i did just notice i have a unread message.

I hope if after all this your friend at green water is still interested in selling me his product.

Next time give a guy a chance before poking him in the eye

respectfully,


tundra_honky

Pura Vida No response necessary!

[SomeSailor]

Ah... just like the good ole days...

[Pura Vida]

Hey, tundra honky, contrary to your last sentence, a response is necessary. That is because I am very pleased you stepped up to the plate and put more "definition" around what you had said previously. I am a big fan of anyone who tries as hard as Greenwater did to do a good job for a reasonable price, and I was concerned that the wording you used in the original statement might set a slight level of doubt in someone's mind who might be looking at a future decision regarding replacement of their exhaust system. I actually had conversations with four fabricators before I signed on with Greenwater, and I am very please I did what I did.

You sound like a really nice guy and I hope I didn't offend you either. I didn't mean to "poke you in the eye" but was, in effect, giving you that chance you are mentioning. And I should have said Greenwater was attempting to PM you, not email you. In any event, I think we are good to move on over this and I appreciate your honest and forthright response.

(Just for Somesailor): See! I can be controlled and pleasant.