Putting a decent sound system in a small area

[Plasticman31]

I was just wondering how you guy's with 18' boat's get a decent sound system in there, i mean where do you put stereo, speakers, amp (where it won't get wet) I think i saw a post not to long ago about a guy that put woofers in his 18 footer? I would defanitley like to do that. Thanks for your help.
Kris

[JEThro]

It's really simple dude! Buy a Walkman!!

[230EAGLE]

DAA, PUT IT IN THE BOW! http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif :ROLLEYES http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif
http://free.***boat.net/ubb/tongue.gif http://free.***boat.net/ubb/tongue.gif http://free.***boat.net/ubb/tongue.gif

[Plasticman31]

Originally posted by 230EAGLE:
DAA, PUT IT IN THE BOW! http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif :ROLLEYES http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif
http://free.***boat.net/ubb/tongue.gif http://free.***boat.net/ubb/tongue.gif http://free.***boat.net/ubb/tongue.gif
Thank's smart ass, but i can see you have one of those big dick $30,000.00 jobbers, so your opinion doesn't count anyway's

[Plasticman31]

Originally posted by Plasticman31:
Thank's smart ass, but i can see you have one of those big dick $30,000.00 jobbers, so your opinion doesn't count anyway's
....and you drive a Ford, that's the second problem. (Candyass)

[JEThro]

Kris, The Walkman thing was just to get your blood pressure up. Here's what I did on my last boat.{18ft Sanger} I put a couple 6in
woofers under the bow. A 40watt amp worked great. Since I didn't want to cut a hole in the dash, I picked up "Boom-Box" that had
RCA jacks on the back. Nothing fancy. Just plugged it in when I felt the need. Since it had its own antenna, I didn't need to put one on the boat. One thing to think about though. Unless your boat has a cool and water proof storage area, CDs and tapes can be a pain in the ass. Jethro

[PUMP kin]

Jet, I put a my speakers under the deck on the right and left side, also the back against the transom wall each side. The stereo sys, I cut a square right under the passanger side on the front seat. I did this in my Sanger with a frount bench seat. to get at it was simple as you just lifted out the seat. I made sure it was mounted secure and raised up by a piece of 3/4 inch plywood. as sometimes it hit pretty hard on the waves.
CD's are probably not the thing to do on a flatty as they would bounce to much. I didn't go for the $$ on the Stereo in case it got wet after all, it's in the speakers that make the good sound. it lasted 15 years until redid my boat now you couldn't hear it if you tried. so I took it out.
Pump

[DickDanger]

Plastic...
I have an 18 1/2 ft Bahner Flatdeck, and I hated not having tunes. Your right, there just isnt a lot of room to work with. I went with 6.5 Eclipes under the deck, siliconed the connections, and all that jazz. After searching for a couple of weeks on a place to mount the deck, I took a deep breath, bit the bullet, and cut into the dash area in front of the passenger seat. I have an Alpine 3 CD detach face, that is housed in a waterproof cover. YOu have to REALLY make sure that the deck is secure in there (if you decide to go this route, let me know, and I will tell ya the best way to do it) otherwise the first time you hit a wake, it is gonna come loose (trust me, I know...thanks Audio Shoppe!!!) http://www.goldenplasma.f2s.com/forum/smilies/tongue01.gif Good luck!!!- Dick Danger out.

[racingrascal]

One idea also is to mount your speakers in there own encloser. (Sealed Box) Then mount it to the floor,stringer, bulk head, what ever you may have for a mounting device. Then you will have the sound and an easy way to mount the speakers. Put four 6x9 in the boat for some real good mid and high range sound, mount them the same way(in enclosers). Infinity is what Ultra puts in there boat and they sound real good. On the head unit a walkman is not a bad idea at all. You can buy an adapter to go from head phone style plug to RCA's. Then you can mount the RCA in's anywhere close to where you are going to set the walkman. Get out of the boat for the night, talk the walkman with you. People will never suspect you have a stereo system. Most radio head units don't get good radio station receptiion on the water anyway. Just my .02
Andy

[Kwicherbichen]

That's interesting Andy? I never thought about a portable walkman type deal. Do you just set up everything (amps, speakers, etc) like normal and then just plug in a portable walkman / cd player?
Brian

[Blowin Mud]

You never said if it was an open or closed bow. If its closed Bazooka tubes will work well, otherwise just stay with a water proof coaxial speaker.

[77charger]

im interested in this walkman thingy tell me more.What i have now is a portable boom box that has a gigerete lighter plug for power and it works well enough but now add some better speakers now thats an idea.

[Heatseeker]

Plasticman,
My favorite boat sound system is still made by Bassett http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif!
I've thought about installing tunes also, but the space limitations are real bitch!
Heatseeker
AKA John
P.S. Did you forget to email me a pic of the loader grate?

[Plasticman31]

Nope, i will be getting that to you tomorrow, i had to get it out of my storage and i never made it there this weekend. You will have it tomorrow.
Thanks
Kris

[racingrascal]

Originally posted by Kwicherbichen:
That's interesting Andy? I never thought about a portable walkman type deal. Do you just set up everything (amps, speakers, etc) like normal and then just plug in a portable walkman / cd player?
Brian
Yeap! I watched one of my buddies a long time a go finish a huge system in his truck but didn't have the head unit yet. Went in the house got his walkman (tape player then) go by some headphone to RCA adapter plug and play some music! It's easy, I am thinking of doing it in my boat.
77Charger it's easy bud same thing I told Brian. If you need some help let me know.
Andy

[Havasu Hangin']

Originally posted by racingrascal:
I am thinking of doing it in my boat.
But Andy- if you bring a walkman in your boat, you won't have room for a passenger...
http://www.goldenplasma.f2s.com/forum/smilies/happy25.gif
[This message has been edited by Havasu Hangin' (edited December 31, 2001).]

[jstwkd]

Originally posted by Plasticman31:
I was just wondering how you guy's with 18' boat's get a decent sound system in there, i mean where do you put stereo, speakers, amp (where it won't get wet) I think i saw a post not to long ago about a guy that put woofers in his 18 footer? I would defanitley like to do that. Thanks for your help.
I have an 18 ft carribean with three amps two 10 " subs and a set of three way seporates mounted under the bow im in process of making brakets for the speakers you see on boats with towers the tubes. so when i throw anchor i can mount them on either side of my scoop about 800 hundred watts total. lots of base didnt seam to slow my boat down any either. i made a mount that fits over my gauges and holds all three amps and the deck is on the floor in an enclosure. the deck of the boat does hit pretty hard though. any way system sounds good. it can be done.
Kris

[JEThro]

I never heard of hooking a Walkman to an amp.
I might be wrong but the RCA jacks on the back of a deck only send out a weak signal to
the amp. Its the same as a home CD or tape deck. If you hook an amp up to headphone or speaker jacks, it will blow it up.

[Kwicherbichen]

Originally posted by Havasu Hangin':
But Andy- if you bring a walkman in your boat, you won't have room for a passenger...
HH, your killing me. HAHA!
What is your opinion on this walkman deal Jeff? Not that I don't believe Andy, but what do you think the output is like? Chime in buddy, you seem to know your stuff in this area.
Brian

[Havasu Hangin']

Originally posted by Kwicherbichen:
What is your opinion on this walkman deal Jeff? Not that I don't believe Andy, but what do you think the output is like? Chime in buddy, you seem to know your stuff in this area.
One can never overestimate my knowledge base... http://www.goldenplasma.f2s.com/forum/smilies/happy06.gif
Most amps have input sesitivity controls on them. Alot of people think this is some kind of "volume" knob, but in reality, this is made to taylor the amp with the various head units. It's usually adjustable somewhere between 500mv and 4 volts.
If the Walkman RCA adapter puts out the correct voltage for the amp you have, it will work. Too many volts, the sound will distort, and not be good on the amp. Too little, and the volume will be too low.
Maybe someone could pull the RCA adapter specs off the Sony website.
http://www.goldenplasma.f2s.com/forum/smilies/happy25.gif
PS- Andy knows I'm just kidding. Heck, when he gets it, that will be the first radio-controlled 100MPH jet boat I've seen... http://www.goldenplasma.f2s.com/forum/smilies/happy02.gif

[nytro43]

rubberboy just mount subwooferbox to stringers under bow install all amps inside speaker box choke the chicken and cut hole in dash for stereo.

[Bense468]

I don't think I would run a walk man. If you are spending the money do it right. You never mentioned if you are going and buying radio shack speakers or what you are doing. I would run the eclipse speakers over the infinity's. They are a really nice speaker. Then depending on how much bass and type of music you listen to buy an 8, 10, or 12 sub. I would probably run a 10. Mount it in a sealed box. Bridge the two channels on the amp. Get a nice head unit. Like an alpine

[1quickjet]

Id stay away from mounting the amplifier(s) actually in the box. The amplifier will only occupy volume inside the enclosure, meaning you will need to build the enclosure larger to compensate. You wouldn't be gaining anything. You will lose cooling capability, and you definitely need cooling fans and adequate airflow under the bow in Havasu heat. Not to mention having to pull the sub every time you need to make an adjustment. I agree with Bense. Spend the dough and do it right the first time. Decent CD players/head units are very affordable these days. Alpine is superb but pricey, if you are on a budget. You may look at Kenwood. Very durable, and they offer great features at very resonable prices. In a closed bow, you don't need much sub or power. Closed bows mean boomy, loud (although sloppy) bass. It can definitely be done with little space.

[Bense468]

Thats what I was trying to say. It all really depends on what you want. That is what is so hard about stereos. Everyone asks what should I do. Well I think and again this is just me. I would run some eclipse speakers. They sound really good. Get a decent head unit.A decent amp. If you are running a sub under the deck. I would run an 8 if you were not into much bass because you can always adjust it. A 10 if you want a little more since being under the deck will give you a little more BOOM. Oh also if I was you I would get a deck with a sub control on it so you don't have to play with the amp. But 1quickjet is right it will get hot so fans are a must depending on where you run. What I listed is an affordable decent setup. You can always do more or less. I would spend my money on good things so if I wanted to add later I have good components and don't have to buy all new stuff. Plus I think you get what you pay for. There are affordable deals out there now....just shop around before you buy.
[This message has been edited by Bense468 (edited January 02, 2002).]

[Bense468]

1quickjet I did not mean mount the amp (s) in a box. Mount the sub in a sealed box. amps like airflow. Oh and PLASTICMAN if you just want a stereo that plays run like 4 6x9's and an amp. Cheap and gets you your tuns.

[Plasticman31]

Thanks everyone for your input, but i think Bense is right, all i want is just something to listen to that's not going to cost a lot and i don't have to worry about getting damaged. I think just a decent cd player and a couple of 6 x 9's will do just fine.
Kris

[ROZ]

Originally posted by Plasticman31:
I think just a decent cd player and a couple of 6 x 9's will do just fine.
Kris
You'll want more...Right HH? http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif
You could go with 1 10, 4 6x9's, 4ch amp running mixed mono to the sub...Can you have someone make a lightweight lucite enclosure at your facility?
I know of a 18ft Nordic flattie w/ 2 10's under the deck in a pretty small, but effecient, enclosure....
Anything is possible.

[Havasu Hangin']

Originally posted by ROZ:
You'll want more...Right HH?
ROZ is right...it's a disease. I call it the "audio-nonsatisfitis" syndrome. I started with a HU and 4 speakers because why would I need more? Famous last words. http://www.goldenplasma.f2s.com/forum/smilies/confused20.gif
Boat stereos need to be overkilled, because all that sound is just spilling out everywhere. A couple 6x9's and a HU might sound OK in a car, but in a boat...it will sound like a portable AM radio... http://www.goldenplasma.f2s.com/forum/smilies/mad01.gif
http://www.goldenplasma.f2s.com/forum/smilies/happy25.gif
PS- Andy's boat is the only boat I know that doesn't need a trailer...he just picks it up, and put it in his pocket... http://www.goldenplasma.f2s.com/forum/smilies/happy09.gif
[This message has been edited by Havasu Hangin' (edited January 02, 2002).]

[rivercrazy]

hehe. LOL.
HH what boat. I thought he had an order in for 2006 delivery?

[1quickjet]

Bense, actually I was referring to Nytro43's post about amps in the box. PlasticMan, If you are going to "settle" for 6x9's and a head unit, make sure you buy a head unit and speakers that will support a bigger, louder, and more powerful system, should you decide to add amp(s) and sub(s) later on. Because that disease is guaranteed to strike you sooner or later, and you dont want to buy things twice. http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif

[rivercrazy]

1qj is right. Make sure the head unit you buy is capable of adding amps (preferably 3 sets of 4 volt pre-outs) and a CD changer.
And don't believe the power rating on head units. They are extremely inflated.

[FoMoCo]

I have an 18ft Kachina that I did not want to cut a hole in the dash.. I spent 1 day and built a bracket out of steel that bolted to the steering rack on the drivers side, it aslo bolts to the deck support under the deck of my boat. I painted it and covered it with the same material my seats are covered with. it sits back about 8inches back si no water has ever hit it. I will try to post a pick of it. I also intsalled a bulkhead when I put a floor in my boat where 2 pioneer marine speakers sit. I also have an amp mounted to the bottom of the deck with a steel bracket, looks like a reversed batery holder, bolted through, the deck suports. seems to have held up for 1 season with out breaking yet....

[Plasticman31]

FoMoCo, i would like to see that bracket you built for the stereo, i don't really want to cut my dash if i don't have to. I would like to see how you mounted your amp also.
Thanks,
Kris

[BlimpLipBoater]

That boy blowin mud was a friend of mine,
till I caught him in my ride trying to steal my Alpine.

[flattie]

I say the hell with the stereo run a set of zoomies somthing everone can enjoy. save the radio for on the beach!

[Flat Screwd]

Damm dude 34 post!!! were talking about a freakin raido and two speakers. How big a morron are you??? I got it , Judy has a Barbie radio , maybe if you talk nice to her she will let you use it this year. Or better yet bring over a case of beer and when we get to the last one I will break out the sawsall and sharpen the chisells and go to work . HA HA.

[FoMoCo]

Here is my example
http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/25e518cc/bc/Boat+Stero+pics/Mvc-016s.jpg?bcX1ni8AEGdJj4rE
and
http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/25e518cc/bc/Boat+Stero+pics/Mvc-019s.jpg?bcA4ni8AjNLdzxWt
http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/25e518cc/bc/Boat+Stero+pics/Mvc-023s.jpg?bcA4ni8ASKr7CmEP
and
http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/25e518cc/bc/Boat+Stero+pics/Mvc-021s.jpg?bcA4ni8ApalW6fUA
http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/25e518cc/bc/Boat+Stero+pics/Mvc-025s.jpg?bcA4ni8Ala6mJyeq

[FoMoCo]

Oh I forgot there is a cubby hole there to also just righ tfor keys and wallet, also CD's fit well in there!

[TaylorLP20]

One sugestion about the head unit. If you get a CD reciever go to Best Buy and get the 4 year extended warranty for 40 bucks. It was the best investment I made in my system. Bought it new in 97. Every year some of the led's in the display would go out. Every fall I would take it back for the repair of this and have it cleaned. After the third repair I was eligible for replacement under the no lemon policy. They gave me full purchace price credit tword a new unit of my choice this year (1 month before the warranty expired). And let me tell you, $279 buys a hell of a lot better unit now than it did in 97! So now with the replacement unit I get another 4 year warranty for another 40 bucks! Now I am good to go for another 4 years. They also cover any repair except physical damage. (water damage is covered, they didn't ever ask what it was installed in) It was aggravating as hell to deal with these people, but worth it in the long run.
just my .02
TLP
[This message has been edited by TaylorLP20 (edited January 07, 2002).]

[Plasticman31]

FoMoCo, can you e-mail me those pictures, they won't open for me from this site.
Thanks, Kris

[DickDanger]

FoMo, I dont see anything other than a bunch of red boxes....unless, the red boxes ARE the bracket??? Just kidding...I also had a deck mounted on the steering area in an aluminum bracket that I fabricated, but it was just always in the way, or I was hitting my knee on it. Besides, I like things to look sano, and it is just so much better having the head unit mounted securely in the dash, and out of the way. Again, just my .02
-DD out

[FoMoCo]

Plasticman31 whats your email address?