American Custom Yachts president Dominick LaCombe knows every component is important when it comes to making fine and fast vessels. His new 90′ custom sportfisher C’est La Vie pushes the power package envelope, with nearly 9,300 hp at his command to fly across the waves at almost 48 knots. The beefy twin MTU diesels require precision-engineered exhaust systems to handle high temperatures in scant available engine room space. To optimize performance and help tame noise aboard C’est La Vie, LaCombe turned to Marine Exhaust Systems.

Offering the best of both worlds, C’est La Vie is built for the efficiency and functionality demanded by serious deepwater fishing. But she’s also equipped with family comforts to accommodate an extended open-ocean trip. Like all vessels created by American Custom Yachts, C’est La Vie blends time-honored craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology.

As the stunning pair of MTU 16V 4000 M93L 4,615 hp engines are normally installed in much larger boats, American Custom Yachts constructed a special aluminum engine bed to balance the load across the keel, stringers and chines. Every detail of the engine room, from the V-drives that lessen the shaft angle to the specially fabricated air boxes that supply ventilation, is geared to producing the best possible use of horsepower.

To help keep this powerhouse package cool and quiet, Marine Exhaust Systems engineers designed a custom configuration using many exotic materials to eliminate corrosion and minimize weight. Components include special oversized risers inside a unique oval-shaped system that’s only 8″ high, and square water cans made of titanium. A Thinline linear muffler serves as a bypass muffler, and an enhanced spray head keeps fiberglass components below 120° F.

Rectangular bellow hoses made from silicon withstand higher temperatures, and are lined with chemical-resistant Viton. The oval transom exhaust handles not only the engine, but raw water bypass, generators and AC system discharges. Despite having to nestle all these elements into a tight engine room, C’est La Vie still has full engine serviceability on the outboard sides. This represents the elegant yet highly technical solutions Marine Exhaust Systems supplies to every customer.

“Our relationship with Marine Exhaust Systems goes back some 30 years,” said LaCombe. “Their team invariably meets any challenge we throw at them, and we’ve given them some difficult installations. They’re experts in every facet of the business, from engineering to technical knowledge and service. We can always count on their products to perform.”

Family-owned Marine Exhaust Systems specializes in exhaust system parts and packages for recreational, commercial and military vessels. From replacement exhaust systems to custom solutions for noise, vibration and back-pressure problems, it’s been a top choice of boatbuilders and engine manufacturers for over 40 years. The company prides itself on superior products that utilize its numerous patented technologies.

Contact Marine Exhaust Systems Inc., 3640 Fiscal Ct., Riviera Beach, FL 33404. 561-848-1238; Fax 561-848-1298. info@marine-exhaust.com; www.marine-exhaust.com

Image courtesy of Marine Exhaust Systems Inc./Martin Flory Group