They can indeed be loud, but $50 or so in cheap amazon peel and stick sound deadening mat and an hour or so install time remedies the loudness pretty...
Inside the tower is a lower mounting point, it got caught under the racks and boards way more often when just starting to pull up the rider. Outside...
Not sure, I'll see what the fins are it comes with. I've got several sets to try out, may also look for cheap Thermotech Q1V2 fins. I'll post up with...