Since the sound of the wind and the waves is not always fulfilling enough, I want to install cockpit speakers on my 2000 Hunter 340. This will allow me to hear the music over the engine...if its operation is required! I have the standard radio/CD installation located at the nav station. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Elizabeth
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Speakers
Elizabeth: Several years ago my speakers on my 1991 Legend 35.5 went bad and my wife and I replaced them with Bose speakers which was a very good choice. I assume your problem is one of installation. We used the orginal holes in the cockpit but enlarged them with a basic jig saw to accommodate the larger Bose speakers. We then used the orginal wiring to connect the new speakers. We also upgraded the C.D./radio at the same time. If you have no hole to use or wiring then you need to pick a location where you can run the speakers wires to; drill a hole in the fiberglass and cut a pattern with the jig saw for the speakers. The hard part will be running the speaker wire to your new location. Perhaps others could suggest where they ran the wires to and how they did it.
Elizabeth: Several years ago my speakers on my 1991 Legend 35.5 went bad and my wife and I replaced them with Bose speakers which was a very good choice. I assume your problem is one of installation. We used the orginal holes in the cockpit but enlarged them with a basic jig saw to accommodate the larger Bose speakers. We then used the orginal wiring to connect the new speakers. We also upgraded the C.D./radio at the same time. If you have no hole to use or wiring then you need to pick a location where you can run the speakers wires to; drill a hole in the fiberglass and cut a pattern with the jig saw for the speakers. The hard part will be running the speaker wire to your new location. Perhaps others could suggest where they ran the wires to and how they did it.
Removable speakers
If you do not want to cut large holes in the cockpit, you can mount removable speakers like I did. What I did was to get speakers with enclosures, and attach 7/8" rail clamps to the back. This allows them to be mountable and removable from the stern rail. Next I made short speaker wire pigtails with waterproof 2-conductors on the end. Next I ran wiring from cockpit mounted waterproof 2-conductor outlets to the stereo. This set up allows the speakers to be aimed in any direction, and the speakers to be taken below to prevent theft. I will try to take some pictures soon to post to the site.
If you do not want to cut large holes in the cockpit, you can mount removable speakers like I did. What I did was to get speakers with enclosures, and attach 7/8" rail clamps to the back. This allows them to be mountable and removable from the stern rail. Next I made short speaker wire pigtails with waterproof 2-conductors on the end. Next I ran wiring from cockpit mounted waterproof 2-conductor outlets to the stereo. This set up allows the speakers to be aimed in any direction, and the speakers to be taken below to prevent theft. I will try to take some pictures soon to post to the site.
Compass Safe Distance
May I suggest that you try to find "Closed Field" speakers as anything else will destroy your compass accuracy unless they are at least a metre away from the binnacle. Some car speakers are this type and are nominally waterproof as well. Good listening,
May I suggest that you try to find "Closed Field" speakers as anything else will destroy your compass accuracy unless they are at least a metre away from the binnacle. Some car speakers are this type and are nominally waterproof as well. Good listening,
speakers
If the 340 has the stern seats, I would get the bose 151 speakers and mount them under the seats, remove 2 slates ans mount from abov3e and replace the slates this will reduce any theft and makes for great speaker placement, John SV/ Alcyone
If the 340 has the stern seats, I would get the bose 151 speakers and mount them under the seats, remove 2 slates ans mount from abov3e and replace the slates this will reduce any theft and makes for great speaker placement, John SV/ Alcyone
Light/Speaker Pod
Elizabeth, I am currently trying to buy a 2001 new 340 and in getting it spec'd out, I asked the same question. Someone(Frank, I think), was kind enough to inform me of a fiberglass pod that Hunter makes for its larger boats(380) that also fits the 340 very well. It mounts under the arch up out of the weather and comes with the speakers installed, a cockpit light, and volume control(both sound handy). I have yet to see it but it is the way I am going to go for the cockpit speakers. I understand it's about $350 and you get it right from hunter. You'll have to talk to them about installation but "Frank" said it could be done w/o removing the SS arch. Hope this adds to your info if not to your confusion. Daryl
Elizabeth, I am currently trying to buy a 2001 new 340 and in getting it spec'd out, I asked the same question. Someone(Frank, I think), was kind enough to inform me of a fiberglass pod that Hunter makes for its larger boats(380) that also fits the 340 very well. It mounts under the arch up out of the weather and comes with the speakers installed, a cockpit light, and volume control(both sound handy). I have yet to see it but it is the way I am going to go for the cockpit speakers. I understand it's about $350 and you get it right from hunter. You'll have to talk to them about installation but "Frank" said it could be done w/o removing the SS arch. Hope this adds to your info if not to your confusion. Daryl
Hunter factory Pod
Hi Elizabeth.... I'm the "Frank" that Daryl is referring to and I did install the Hunter factory speaker pod on my 2001 H340. It's a nice unit with decent (Seaworthy) speakers and a handy overhead light, comes from Hunter completely pre-wired with leads long enough to go throufh your arch and splice into the wire conduit that terminates in your starboard battery locker. They're up and completely out of the way, minimal drilling required, etc. and I'm happy with them. if you'd like more detail on installation, challenges encountered, etc. you can contact me directly at; frank@qg.com
Hi Elizabeth.... I'm the "Frank" that Daryl is referring to and I did install the Hunter factory speaker pod on my 2001 H340. It's a nice unit with decent (Seaworthy) speakers and a handy overhead light, comes from Hunter completely pre-wired with leads long enough to go throufh your arch and splice into the wire conduit that terminates in your starboard battery locker. They're up and completely out of the way, minimal drilling required, etc. and I'm happy with them. if you'd like more detail on installation, challenges encountered, etc. you can contact me directly at; frank@qg.com
Ditto on the Pod
I put one in on my 2001 H320, and it wasn't too hard. Once the hole in the arch was drilled, it was just snaking the wires through and tieing them in the system. It looks good, and makes a neat looking package. Steve
I put one in on my 2001 H320, and it wasn't too hard. Once the hole in the arch was drilled, it was just snaking the wires through and tieing them in the system. It looks good, and makes a neat looking package. Steve
340 Arch challenge
Elizabeth, I have a 2000 340 also. The challenge is getting thee wires into the arch. Unlike the the 2001, which I believe came prewired or at least has a hole predrilled where the arch sits on the deck, the 2000 model does not. I think that's what you are looking for. How to get the wires into the arch, without removing the arch to drill a hole. ME TOO. So far the easiest way is to route the wires into the center console through an exsisting wire chase. Then mount the speakers in the console just under the fold down tables. Hope this helps, I'm going to do just that as soon as the weather permits. But I'm open to better suggestions.
Elizabeth, I have a 2000 340 also. The challenge is getting thee wires into the arch. Unlike the the 2001, which I believe came prewired or at least has a hole predrilled where the arch sits on the deck, the 2000 model does not. I think that's what you are looking for. How to get the wires into the arch, without removing the arch to drill a hole. ME TOO. So far the easiest way is to route the wires into the center console through an exsisting wire chase. Then mount the speakers in the console just under the fold down tables. Hope this helps, I'm going to do just that as soon as the weather permits. But I'm open to better suggestions.
Arch
Lauren, Not sure about the 340 arch, but we drilled into our 290 arch from inside a locker. The attach plates on the arch do not cover the tubes. In the 290 the centers of the tubes are located at the intersection of the bolt holes. We managed to squeeze enough of me into the locker to mark and drill a small hole. Then we enlarged it with a dremel tool to the size required. We did this to mount our GPS on the arch. Fishing the wire was easy, hardest part was fitting me into the locker. We had the opportunity to see an arch prior to installation and this helped us determine how to proceed. You might want to contact Hunter and ask of the arch on the 340 is similarly constructed. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)
Lauren, Not sure about the 340 arch, but we drilled into our 290 arch from inside a locker. The attach plates on the arch do not cover the tubes. In the 290 the centers of the tubes are located at the intersection of the bolt holes. We managed to squeeze enough of me into the locker to mark and drill a small hole. Then we enlarged it with a dremel tool to the size required. We did this to mount our GPS on the arch. Fishing the wire was easy, hardest part was fitting me into the locker. We had the opportunity to see an arch prior to installation and this helped us determine how to proceed. You might want to contact Hunter and ask of the arch on the 340 is similarly constructed. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)
340 arch speakers
as I recall, this was the subject of a forum article 6 mos. to a year ago and one of the writers detailed how he drilled and mounted speakers on the arch do an archive search and perhaps you will find the article Tony
as I recall, this was the subject of a forum article 6 mos. to a year ago and one of the writers detailed how he drilled and mounted speakers on the arch do an archive search and perhaps you will find the article Tony
Arch access on the 340
On my 2001, the only hole necessary to drill in the ARCH is in the overhead position where the wires will go from the pod into the arch itself. Drill the AFT arch tube. Also be sure to use a carbide or similar hardened drill bit because the arch itself is stainless steel...pretty tough stuff. The wires are then routed (or snaked) through the arch to the mounting plate on the STARBOARD side. There is a 5/8" hole in the arch plate but you do need to drill a hole through the coaming to locate this hole. It's accessible through the STARBOARD cockpit locker. Access is tricky but not difficult. To locate the hole in the plate, visualize an "X" that connects all four arch bolts. The hole is approximately in the center of the"X". I drilled with a 1/16" bit until I located the hole. Then enlarged it to 1/2". Install a grommet. Then it's necessary to drill another 1/2" hole through the aft wall of the locker to access the wire conduit, which is in the battery locker. Pull wires from the electrical panel (for speakers and a DC source for the light in the pod) through the conduit, splice, and you're done. The pod itself mounts on the bottom side of the arch using 5 of the traveller bolts to secure. I've done it; takes a couple of hours but I like the installation. Suggest NOT trying to remove the arch. That's a real job.!!!
On my 2001, the only hole necessary to drill in the ARCH is in the overhead position where the wires will go from the pod into the arch itself. Drill the AFT arch tube. Also be sure to use a carbide or similar hardened drill bit because the arch itself is stainless steel...pretty tough stuff. The wires are then routed (or snaked) through the arch to the mounting plate on the STARBOARD side. There is a 5/8" hole in the arch plate but you do need to drill a hole through the coaming to locate this hole. It's accessible through the STARBOARD cockpit locker. Access is tricky but not difficult. To locate the hole in the plate, visualize an "X" that connects all four arch bolts. The hole is approximately in the center of the"X". I drilled with a 1/16" bit until I located the hole. Then enlarged it to 1/2". Install a grommet. Then it's necessary to drill another 1/2" hole through the aft wall of the locker to access the wire conduit, which is in the battery locker. Pull wires from the electrical panel (for speakers and a DC source for the light in the pod) through the conduit, splice, and you're done. The pod itself mounts on the bottom side of the arch using 5 of the traveller bolts to secure. I've done it; takes a couple of hours but I like the installation. Suggest NOT trying to remove the arch. That's a real job.!!!
320 speaker pod
I just recently traded up to a 320 hunter and I was told that the pod did not fit the 320. I notice one hunter owner (Steve) put one on his 320. I'm wondering is there a lot of special ajustments required to make it fit on a 320? Jerry
I just recently traded up to a 320 hunter and I was told that the pod did not fit the 320. I notice one hunter owner (Steve) put one on his 320. I'm wondering is there a lot of special ajustments required to make it fit on a 320? Jerry
Thanks to all who responded to this thread. I will post the results cost/installation info. I am tending toward the pod as I know of a 380 owner - who I would never publically admit to knowing though whose flotilla to the Bahamas I am joining next month to celebrate his nuptials to the woman he sacrificed his gen-set for - who is very happy with his pod installation. Elizabeth
See what I did in the photo forum
I just posted photos in the photo forum on what I did on my boat.
I just posted photos in the photo forum on what I did on my boat.
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