Just how difficult is it to install a full blown stereo upgrade to your boat?

[iamthunderman]

I recently bought an Aerial Airborne tower with 2 sets of twin Polk db 651's. I plan on getting a new head unit, 5 channel amp, and sub. I want to install it myself but have never attempted anything like it. Where do I need to start?

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Just how difficult is it to install a full blown stereo upgrade to your boat?

Not to be a smarta**, but start with the directions. It will give you step by step instructions.

Mount the head unit
Connect the amp with RCA cable
Wire the speakers
Power the amp
Power the head unit.

It's easier in a boat than in a car. More room.

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: Just how difficult is it to install a full blown stereo upgrade to your boat?

Sorry...that made me laugh.

 

[iamthunderman]

Re: Just how difficult is it to install a full blown stereo upgrade to your boat?

You can laugh, I am a rookie with a boat and installing stereo equipment. I just want to make sure I do it right.

Is there a thread that helps people with the installation of stereo equipment? How about installing a 2nd battery for powering the stereo?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Just how difficult is it to install a full blown stereo upgrade to your boat?

You absolutely NEED a second battery. You absolutely NEED a dual battery swtich. You absolutely NEED a two bank on-board charger. Now you can THINK more about adding a high power audio system. Did it occur to you that you are in a boat and not your living room? And did you also think about others around you since sound carries so freely over water. If you did, you should have come to the conclusion that a big amp is not necessary. But -- the boat is yours and the opinion is mine so have at it. I agree with -- "follow the instructions." If you use the "Search" feature on this forum you will find all of the dual battery switch, stereo, and on-board charger data you need.

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Just how difficult is it to install a full blown stereo upgrade to your boat?

Silvertip, I take it you don't have a nice stereo in your boat.
A second battery with switch would be an excellent idea if you intend to listen to the stereo with the engine off for any length of time. An onboard charger is probably not necessary. You're alternator should be able to keep the batteries charged. Sound does carry well over water so if you're "parked" with the engine off it is considerate not to blast others with your choice of music. However, if you want to listen to music while underway then the wind and engine noise make an amp a necessity. The sound others will hear will be your engine, not your stereo.
Be sure to only use marine rated electronics. Stuff made for a car will deteriorate rapidly. Connect both the positive and negative from the amp directly to your battery with sufficiently large wire (amp installation manual) and properly sized fuses.

 

[stylesabu]

Re: Just how difficult is it to install a full blown stereo upgrade to your boat?

Hey KD4upl, YOUR A NEWBIE HERE DON'T **** OFF THE ELDERS. 1ST do we know want charging capacity/ability his boat has? No. I have been strand on the water from listening the stereo, had to pull start. did get back and found problem was loose connection at battery. good enough to run stereo, but wasn't talking a charge while engine running. after play with connections, and pull starting, now running voltage was over 14.5 volts before was under 13 volts should have know something was wrong.so weather Silvertip runs a radio or not, hes does know to do it if he wanted. oh by the way my o/board only put out 9 amps max. so always have a backup charged battery that is know to be good

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Just how difficult is it to install a full blown stereo upgrade to your boat?

Silvertip, I take it you don't have a nice stereo in your boat.
A second battery with switch would be an excellent idea if you intend to listen to the stereo with the engine off for any length of time. An onboard charger is probably not necessary. You're alternator should be able to keep the batteries charged. Sound does carry well over water so if you're "parked" with the engine off it is considerate not to blast others with your choice of music. However, if you want to listen to music while underway then the wind and engine noise make an amp a necessity. The sound others will hear will be your engine, not your stereo.
Be sure to only use marine rated electronics. Stuff made for a car will deteriorate rapidly. Connect both the positive and negative from the amp directly to your battery with sufficiently large wire (amp installation manual) and properly sized fuses.

Just for your info: Yes -- I do have a nice stereo on my boat (all of them). No, it doesn't take 500 watts of power to hear the radio under way. A music system must recreate the music as true as possible to the original performance. LOUD does not make it true reproduction. Yes the alternator can keep both batteries charged provided the alternator has enough output. I/O powered boat = yes. Outboard powered boat = maybe, but only if you run wide open for hours. No -- just having two batteries does not guarantee you will be able to start the engine after listening to that noise (excuse me -- music) for a few hours while anchored. A dual battery switch, ACR, or isolator WILL guarantee the starting battery will not be discharged. One more fact -- music has a melody. Todays music has none so that makes it orchestrated noise. Vocalizing today consists of yelling or talking -- no notes involved. And people actually pay for it. Go figure!

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Just how difficult is it to install a full blown stereo upgrade to your boat?

Hey guys, sorry, I didn't mean to offend. I wasn't suggesting you didn't know what you were talking about. I was just assuming from your comments about not being in your living room and about how well sound will carry over water that you were not at all in favor of amplified stereo systems on boats. That's all.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Just how difficult is it to install a full blown stereo upgrade to your boat?

The problem with a amplified stereo on a boat is the sound makes it appear closer than it really is. So you need to aim high.

 

[takirb]

Re: Just how difficult is it to install a full blown stereo upgrade to your boat?

I learned something here. I never thought about using an amp to help me hear the radio while underway. I always figured i'd just add another speaker around the dash but pointed towards my head lol Granted, i'll never add an amp or upgrade my speaker system due to fear of battery capacity (stranded with 2 dead batteries has scarred me for life), but upgrading the head unit if some day if necessary to accomodate an extra speaker or two isn't out of reach for me.

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: Just how difficult is it to install a full blown stereo upgrade to your boat?

I hate the new wakeboard boats with the speakers up on the tower. 7am in the damn morning and some idiot is wakeboarding with tower speakers pushing 1000 watts, blasting Rap music so he can do the rump shaker. The language is offensive, it's rude, obnoxious, and inconsiderate. That's what people are talking about....if you want to have a system like that, it's a free country, just consider the others trying to enjoy the water as well. The home owners would appreciate it if you keep it reasonable and not blast it at 7:00 am.

 

[hrdwrkingacguy]

Re: Just how difficult is it to install a full blown stereo upgrade to your boat?

My new glastron deckboat is getting a tower next week and i'm adding a four channel amp to the crappy stereo...I will probably add tower speakers at some point...Not everyone that has a stereo is a stupid kid that listens to rap...And not everyone that has a stereo is going to be driving by at 7am...I am 34 years old with 4 kids(two mine, and two my GF's) I listen to every type of music out there(except rap for the most part) and I am a little offended by the broad sweeping statements in this thread as well as a couple others on the same topic...I would never play my music loud enough for anyone to complain...

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Just how difficult is it to install a full blown stereo upgrade to your boat?

My new glastron deckboat is getting a tower next week and i'm adding a four channel amp to the crappy stereo...I will probably add tower speakers at some point...Not everyone that has a stereo is a stupid kid that listens to rap...And not everyone that has a stereo is going to be driving by at 7am...I am 34 years old with 4 kids(two mine, and two my GF's) I listen to every type of music out there(except rap for the most part) and I am a little offended by the broad sweeping statements in this thread as well as a couple others on the same topic...I would never play my music loud enough for anyone to complain...

Please don't be offended. One of the steady posters on this board has stated that he can't go to sleep unless he gets into it with someone. Some times it me. Some times its a person explaining why a 1000 watt amp on a boat where the farthest you can possibly be from a speaker is 10 feet with the average 2 feet makes perfect sense. I check every night to see if he has had a rant. If none I will post sum atrocious answer to a question that even a casual weekend shade tree mechanic could guess right. But tonight I can take off early. Thanks.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Just how difficult is it to install a full blown stereo upgrade to your boat?

I recently bought an Aerial Airborne tower with 2 sets of twin Polk db 651's. I plan on getting a new head unit, 5 channel amp, and sub. I want to install it myself but have never attempted anything like it. Where do I need to start?

Wow...what a bunch of garbage so far, and with no help to the original question, which is legimitate and asked respectfully. It reminds me of why I stopped spending much time on this website.

Back on topic...hopefully.

iamthunderman: There are a lot of things to consider, mostly with regards to how to wire everything, and frankly "how to" depends entirely on how large a system you are going to install. There can be substantial differences, so really we need more details on exactly what you are talking about before knowing how to advise you on specifics.

I have found Crutchfield to be a fanstastic resource for DIY'ers installing stereo equipment. Here's a thread to their FAQ's about marine eqiupment and installation:
http://www.crutchfield.com/learn/learningcenter/car/marine/faq.html

If you have more questions than what they cover there, I suggest you give them a call, their tech support is second-to-none. Their prices ar every reasonable, they know their stuff, and for no extra charge they give fantastic printed directions that help you thru setup/hookup and soforth. Talk to them nice on the phone while they help you choose equipment and the'll find you discount coupons and packages that you didn't even know existed.

Crutchfield is a fantastic outfit. I know I didn't offer much, but I hope that helps you out a little.