radio's

[petersfield]

what is the best stereo for a boat! Do you need a marine or just a bubble cover? I dont need anything loud just want it good around water! Someone said clarion's draw power in another tread? thanks

[JW]

I always put Alpine in mine, inside of the marine cover. Never had any problems putting car radios and speakers in a boat http://checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/surf.gif
This is my next head unit:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-a60XE1wxxOy/cgi-bin/ProdVi...p?g=300&I=500CDA9856 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-a60XE1wxxOy/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=500CDA9856)

[Bruce]

Hi there, similar to JW, I installed an Alpine car unit behind a Marine Cover, work's fine. I did find that it draws a little bit of current while sitting in the garage, I chose to buy a small garden tractor battery which I use strictly for the stereo. It's good for 4/5 hours of constant use before the voltage drops and doesn't weigh that much. I just throw it on the charger and we're good to go.

Bruce

[boatn70]

i have 2 clarion marine cd/tuners....taken out to put in mp3 players, will sell them pretty cheap if you want. one was replaced with a marine deck (because it came with a wired remote) the other with sony non marine.
go with a non marine in an enclosure youll be fine!

[alwaysredee]

You will have a greater concern in regards to speaker applications. Basically, car and marine are the same thing w/ some mods to prevent water damage and short circuts. Speakers on the other hand, need to be of a higher resistance to water and sunlight. If you go the route of car speakers, look for types w/ rubber surrounds and tweeter styles that are NOT fabric (which many are). As far as drawing power, a stereo will generally not draw when off unless there is a clock or remote lead hooked directly up to the battery. This can be solved by hooking up a toggle or by simply disconnecting the wire. Your memory and/or clock will obviously need to be reset, but you won't have to worry about your battery. Good Luck! http://www.checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/thumb.gif

[boatman4021]

If you want good music all the time, add an xm radio to whatever head unit you deside on. I always found it hard to pick up good fm stations in a boat, so I installed the xm radio and for $12.99 per month in the summer I have great tunes all the time with no static or loss of signal. boatman

[Boston Predictor]

What would be the best way to mount a cd player without cutting the dash??
Is there any other way or should I cut the dash??

[Chucker]

I used some treated plywood to make a mounting plate which I screwed to the back side of the dash. A second layer of plywood brought it out flush with the dash surface. The only thing you need to consider is whether or not you are going to bang your knees on it, since it now hangs below the dash. Center of the dash worked great for me. I bought the hinged bubble cover from Boaters World. This pic doesn't show it very good, but I think you'll get the idea. To the right of the radio is cigarette lighter plug for my GPS, and a toggle switch for the radio, so I can turn it of when not in use. (to save the battery) Making plates and mounting on the back of the dash has worked great for me.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d22/Chuckerup/CheckmateV-Mate210-05005radio.jpg

[Chucker]

Oooops! Let me try again.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d22/Chuckerup/CheckmateV-Mate210-05005radio.jpg

[bowtie]

Well, I was planning a stereo install over the winter as well and this is the one I am leaning towards: http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/ez2rockford/Mod...ine%20Source%20Units (http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/ez2rockford/ModelInfo/ModelInfo.asp?ItemKey=10063605&CategoryDesc=Marine%20Source%20Units)

It appears to be identical to the MB Quartz Marine unit except that it is white and considerably less expensive. I have found it for $269.00 plus shipping. It is one of the few single din marine units I have found with 3 sets of 5v pre-outs. I am also planning on adding a JL Audio 6 channel marine amp, some quality speakers and some subs. I realize this will be rather expensive in the end (guestimating around $1200.00 total) but what good is a cool boat without some cool tunes.

[Boston Predictor]

Thats a good Idea. I am using a Clarion cd player. I will have to check the clearence first cuz this one is a bit bigger. looks like a good place to start http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
I also have a 1500w 10' Infinity subwoofer in a bass tube that I might put in the bow.
Not sure though, I dont want the bass vibrations to rattle my deck apart..... http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v694/checkmate414/clarion.jpg