Boats and Stereos

[dalc4life]

I've got an old 16ft runabout that I'm wanting to put a stereo in. I can understand buying marine speakers but do you really need to buy a marine grade stereo for lake cruzin?<br /><br />Mike Hugo

 

[12Footer]

Re: Boats and Stereos

IMHO, NO, and here's why.. I paid 345bukz for a Sony boat radio for a friend's boat. It sounded like crap, and one channel laid down under warauntee. I had a problem with the factory rig in my Bayliner, and had an old two-stud type car radio in my garge, only kept because it werked...I put it in the Bliner because it werked and it fit the box. It has performed flawlessly since.<br />I guess to better sum-up, pick a stereo with very little in the way of "holes" or venting. some of the newer car stereos have a case that resembles metal swiss cheese. My guess is, they will not be as waterproof.Also, pick one that doesn't have a detachable face. These have the "edge card connector",and every one of these can corrode.<br />Not that it can't be cleaned up most times, and put back into service, but why hastle? And go low-end cheap, but high end, output,or optional,a small inline amp, using the cheapo stereo as a driver for the amp.<br />Again ,just my opinion.

 

[Franki]

Re: Boats and Stereos

God no... <br /><br />I used to have an 8 inch subwoofer, amp, crossover network and lots of speakers in mine.. and the deck was a detachable face pioneer model with cd changer controller built in...<br /><br />worked great for ages, then I took it out and put it in the miss's Suzuki 4x4 and it died from water damage. (soft top)<br /><br />the only speakers that were marine grade were the deck speakers.. the rest were normal polypropellene coned auto speakers.. <br /><br />Only thing I did was buy a surround from the local marine outlet that was designed to shield the stereo.. looked very cool and worked great. (about 15 bucks)<br /><br />The sub is still in the boat and has been wet many times, but I tested it and it still works fine.. so i guess they are more resiliant then most people give them credit for.<br /><br />Go for it..<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[RINKERCAPTAIN]

Re: Boats and Stereos

Your probably ok with a non-marine grade stereo, but you might want to use marine grade wiring. I don't have much experience with installing electronics in boats, but from what I have read, if you don't want trouble down the line, you should use wiring that will hold up to the marine environment.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Boats and Stereos

When thats all done stay away from me. I hate it when anchored up and all I hear is someone elses stereo. I've offered to re-arrange the sound system for one person in the past and he up anchored and moved a respectable distance away!<br />Sorry to be negative but the only radio I have on board is the marine one.<br />Ross

 

[Franki]

Re: Boats and Stereos

The stereo wasn't for general use... once a year we have a skyshow, big fireworks display.. <br /><br />and since we have a river running straight through the center of the cite... the best view is from a boat in the river.. and about 5000 other boaters think so to, it becomes a big party... and we all crank the radio up.. (they match the fireworks to the music on one station)<br /><br />its great fun, I never used the stereo when fishing, it kindof ruins the point of being out there....<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[Down South]

Re: Boats and Stereos

Hi Mike, I agree with getting the auto stereo system. I have two of em in my boats. One is several years old and still does great. Of course you may need to change the speakers every few years but cheap speakers down at Wally World sound 10 times better than a marine speaker. You can get speakers now that that have a synthetic cone that do well. Just try to mount the stereo and speakers where they will be out of the weather the best. I have a 10 CD changer in one boat. Just put it in a few weeks ago. Of course this boat is a 24 ft party bardge and the stereo gets used a lot.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Boats and Stereos

BOSE even makes marine speakers..hate t see how much they cost...

 

[suzukidave]

Re: Boats and Stereos

Franki, I'm glad you don't use that subwoofer when fishing. I'd hate to think how the fish would react to bait with a back beat. You should go out and play the jaws soundtrack and see what happens <br /><br />I have a $20 car "stereo" and cardboard 4" speakers in my 16 foot open top runabout courtesy of the previous owner. The tape player corroded years ago but the speakers and receiver still works fine(although the station indicator and face plate is seized and rusty so I don't know what station it is!). When it dies I will find another at a wreckers yard or something. IMHO rain, mist, salt air, jolts from waves and quality electronics do not mix.<br /><br />If you want to control your own tunes sometimes, I suggest a boom box with a 12 volt plug in adapter or just plain batteries? Suits me fine

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Boats and Stereos

On my boat, I installed one of those plastic covers with the flip-up lid that seals it from the weather. They install before you put the radio in and have a gasket around them so that no water can get in. If I'm in rough water where I might get splashed, I just set it and close the door to protect it. When I store it under the mooring cover, I open the door slightly, so as to not cause condensation while it sits. Has worked for years! You can get them at West or Overtons cheap. My sterio & housing has lasted for 7 years with no problems, although I plan to get one with a CD player this year. I think I paid about $50.00 for the stereo and $20.00 for the cover back then. Still works great, cassette and tuner! Just a thought! Rick

 

[mikeblare]

Re: Boats and Stereos

Hey Ross J how come every posting you put up seems to be all about you telling everybody else what to do. Guess what you dont own the water. From your attitude and demeanor I would be willing to bet you probably dont even own waterfront property. So as far as your willingness to rearrange other peoples property come on over Id be glad to cuff you and throw you in the brig. If you dont like what someone else is doing move. Its that kind of egotistical, moronic, second grade behavior that causes 90% of the problems in this world, two words Grow Up. If you cant manage that do all of us in the USCG a favor sell your boat we dont want you on the water.