Soot exhaust leak

Call D'Angelo's in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Have them make you a new one...….consider replacing them on both engines.

What I believe you are talking about is an exhaust pipe (possibly the dump can assembly/exhaust riser), which has insulation around it (either a fiberglass wrap, or the exhaust blankets. These go bad with age and given the age of your boat, they're at the end of their expected life span. Can you post a picture of it?

IDK, aren't the exhaust blankets just for insulating/protection from the high heat at the exhaust elbow/turbo etc.? I think you have an exhaust leak coming from a blow out gasket/rusty flange/joint/bolts etc... I don't think it's the job of the insulation to seal up the exhaust fittings.
I could be wrong.

Yes and Yes. No the blankets or wraps insulate the pipe from heat only. He has an exhaust leak, given the age, it's probably a bad exhaust pipe hidden behind the blanket or wrap.

That does sound about right. I had mine replaced a couple of years ago. Marine exhaust did mine and no issues so far. Ask them how long as it took maybe a month for mine as they had no number on them, which meant they had to have mine to get measurements from. Not uncommon at all to have to replace these.

So my set up is 22 years old. Mans. I have no soot or fume problem. Should I remove the insulation shrouds to check things?

No, you will know when it's time to look.
Never kick a sleeping dawg.

That's my usual approach. But Dan's problem got me to thinking - I've gotta stop that

Yup...I get it too, here on YFs ; don't over think things.
..What Capt Ralph said .
I say no soot, no smell, no problem !

Just wondering, is Dan's problem a common one, and I've just been lucky?

We have to remember alcohol kills slow brain cells. That's how we get smarter as we drink.

Beau, Go get another wine. This will help you think about more important things, like your bait and beer inventory when you take me fishing, than waking up that ole dawg with big teeth.
Keepa U fingers out!!!!

I think it's more than luck. More made like they are supposed to be made.
My 42 year old Bertram dump cans are fine.

The light weight, real shinny tinker toy stainless tin and cheap welding wire are the usual faults on SeaRay / MAN dump can failures.
Made by ME, I have witnessed failures within 4 years and still looking great after 16 years.
If they are made well, after 22 years may just be proving; a good build.

Look over the welds that you can see with a light. No rust stains or rusting welds, walk away quickly and quietly. Don't wake up that damm dawg..

I sort of inspect when I go over the motors, but haven't taken the shroud off. From all that I see poking around everything looks sound.

I am enjoying a very affordable cab as I write - its excellent! I have to save my $$ for all that service work the forum keeps telling me will bring me to my knees. How is your rum larder holding up?

I'm back to cheap bourbon. My Fave.
Were doing well, thx..

It's at that age where I'd keep an eye on things. Don't poke around or disturb anything, just look all over where the blankets exit for any black soot residue anywhere, this will be your tell tale sign if anything is starting to leak.