Advice from People who have installed a boat stero

[dkorzun21]

Looking to install a stero on my boat. The old one doesnt work so im looking to replace old tape deck with a cd player. 3 inch speaker in front with 6x9 and back adding 7 inch speaker. Is this going to be hard for me to do? I have installed tons of steros in cars but never a boat. Is the wiring the same? Also is it ok for me to cut under my drive and passanger dash bord to make the 3 inch speaker holes big enough for 6x9 without messing any thing up? Also im going to be drilling to set of 7 inch box speaker to the insides of my boat by the back left and right on the wall. is it ok for me to drill in there looks like all the wires run under neith this lip up there and there tucked in just want to make sure I wont hert anythihg by drilling, And also do I hook up the ground the same way as in a car? Here's a pic of inside of my boat i will get more detailed pic when I get home where im lloking to cut.

 

[Thad]

Re: Advice from People who have installed a boat stero

Not a problem. The biggest thing is not letting it get wet. The second would be that the memory wire could drain the battery. Had that happen on both of my boats. Finaly put a toggle inline so I could kill the feed. Downside, always have to reset the clock and presets. Anyhoo, If there is nothing in fronnt of the foot kick behind the bow seats, cut the holes. Doeas your boat have a bench seat in the rear? If so, check for wires and cut the holes.
I just replaced my stereo last weekend (fathers day gift) The girls got me a new stereo head with usb, aux, ipod, remote and bluetooth. They also got me six new speakers and two 300w amps.
I had to cut the origional speaker holes bigger and add two holes.
With the exception of my bench, the other four pannels I had to cut were easily removed by taking out a few screws. That includes the two up under the dash.
The only other thing I can tell you is what my wife told me..."be mindfull of others when at the sand bar/beach".
I only turn mine up when I am on the water and it won't bother anyone else.
Good luck

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Advice from People who have installed a boat stero

It is imperative to keep the stereo out of the weather and the water. Inside the glove box (in the back wall) is a good place. if yo do not have a glove box, you can get a fip down plexiglass waterproof cover for flushmounting.

The speakers will need to be in the weather and the water, so you should use marine speakers since they are moisture resistant. The wiring is the same as an auto, except you must have ground wires. Some auto setups ground the speakers to the body of the car, however, this doesn't work with F/G.

 

[Susquehanna Squid]

Re: Advice from People who have installed a boat stero

The wiring is the same. Pos. wire to Pos. battery terminal - Neg.(ground) wire to Neg. battery terminal - and I ran the remote wire to a seperate toggle switch so that I could turn everything off (If you run both power wires to the positive battery terminal it will eventually drain the battery). And yes, keep the head unit dry. All in all, it is easier to hook them up in a boat than in a car due to the fact that it is so easy to run/hide the wiring........ at least in my boat. Oh and by the way, I run 480 watts worth of power to my 2 free air subs and drivers and this method works for me!

 

[QC]

Re: Advice from People who have installed a boat stero

Just one comment about the toggle for the memory. You should really have an on/off switch for your battery(s), if you do then no need for the toggle. Also, if you plan on adding a supplemental amp, then I woudl definitely want two batteries. I have a 1000 watt setup and I should probably have three . . .

 

[Thad]

Re: Advice from People who have installed a boat stero

I do not have an ON/OFF switch in my boat. Had one in my last boat with two batteries. Found I never switched them. I do not run my stereo when at the sandbar.
I will when I am anchored or floating, but not very load.
Usually only crank it when running down the river. I'm sure other people can hear it, but I am not in one place so I don't disturb everyone else.
As a back-up, I have the battery saver, so if it does drain, it will shut the power down to save enough for starting. AND, if that fails, I also carry a portable booster/jumper.
But, alas, I regress, we probably SHOULD have a dual battery set up with switch.

 

[zach103]

Re: Advice from People who have installed a boat stero

it easy to cut everything.. i bought a radio with weatherproof speakers took be about 2 hours to install to be sure everything was right.. i have two in the walk thru and two on either side of the bench in front of hte motor.. its simple to wire mine came with the diagram.. if you have any questions just ask i just did mine last week..