Cockpit Speaker Locations

[Project_Mayhem]

I'm interested in installing some speakers in the cockpit of my O'Day 25. I've seen many different locations.

• Foot level - Seems prone to damage while healing
• Pulpit mounted with pods - Love the location as it's nearly ear level. Does it interfere with visibility when sitting? I have a solar panel that's mounted about 6' above the cockpit floor that might provide a good place for mounting
• Transom - Definite possibility. Having the speakers at an angle would definitely help with clarity
• Companionway bulkhead - Would need to get some pods or depth adapters. Having the speakers at an angle would definitely help with clarity
• Coming - Not a fan of this as people and cushions could block them. Forward mounting would require fiberglass work as the coming is curved by the bulkhead

I'm seeking opinions from those of you that have cockpit installed speakers. What location are your's installed in? Would you install them in a different location if you were to do it again? What are the pro's and con's of your install locations?

 

[dlochner]

We have cockpit speakers installed by a prior owner. I'm not happy with them. We use a JBL BT speaker. When we want music in the cockpit we stick the speakers in the cockpit.

 

[tfox2069]

What @dlochner said. I've owned two boats now that have cockpit speakers installed in the overhead arch, pointing down. They sound awful, and I even replaced one set with new speakers. Moreover, on one boat the speakers were right over the helmsman's head, which meant you really couldn't hear anyone else speaking if the volume was at any level above background noise while you are driving the boat.

We much prefer a couple of portable, rechargeable, and water resistant Bose bluetooth speakers under the dodger pointing toward the stern. The sound is excellent and you can also take them below, or on the foredeck, etc. and enjoy your music, controlled by your phone. Any variety of mounts will put them on your dodger structure for when things get sporty.

 

[rgranger]

We have cockpit speakers installed by a prior owner. I'm not happy with them. We use a JBL BT speaker. When we want music in the cockpit we stick the speakers in the cockpit.

I'm with @dlochner and @tfox2069 on this one. With so many choices of inexpensive and decent bluetooth speakers ... why cut a hole in your boat? I have this one

Amazon.com

And it is a great stand alone speaker.

I also have two of these that "talk" to each other if you want to fill a larger space.

 

[Ted]

Before you start cutting holes in your boat for conventional speakers, check out this discussion about sound exciters. Here's the link.

Music

A while back Philwsailz contributed some information to a topic on the SBO forum regarding music on a boat. Specifically, he wrote about using sound exciters instead of speakers. Sound exciters are small devices less than 2 inches in diameter that make the surface they are attached to vibrate...

forums.sailboatowners.com

 

[FDL S2]

Before you start cutting holes in your boat for conventional speakers, check out this discussion about sound exciters. Here's the link.

Music

A while back Philwsailz contributed some information to a topic on the SBO forum regarding music on a boat. Specifically, he wrote about using sound exciters instead of speakers. Sound exciters are small devices less than 2 inches in diameter that make the surface they are attached to vibrate...

forums.sailboatowners.com

I’ve had exciter speakers in my cockpit for about 5 years and they work well.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I was given a nice pair of JL marine speakers. I was leaning towards some rail mounted enclosures but it'd be nice to not have more wires going through my transom.

I’ve had exciter speakers in my cockpit for about 5 years and they work well.

Now there's an interesting idea! What was your opinion of the sound quality? What's the best and worst part of this setup?

 

[FDL S2]

I was given a nice pair of JL marine speakers. I was leaning towards some rail mounted enclosures but it'd be nice to not have more wires going through my transom.


Now there's an interesting idea! What was your opinion of the sound quality? What's the best and worst part of this setup?

The sound quality is good as long as you don’t want thumping bass and need to play music obnoxiously loud. I have 4 in the cockpit, 1 on each coaming and 1 one each side of the transom.
In addition to not having to drill holes, I liked that they were cheap-the speakers I bought in 2018 were $22/pair and are currently $26/pair on Amazon. The only issue I’ve had is I didn’t get a good bond on one when I epoxied it to inside of the coaming, it fell off after about a month. I did a better job of scuffing and re-epoxied it again and haven’t had any trouble since.

 

[CrispyCringle]

Portable BT speaker for the win. I dont cut holes unless absolutely required.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I'm currently using a credit card sized Chinese class D amp with bluetooth and a buck boost converter. The bluetooth works far better than any other device I've seen. In fact, I went to extra lengths and expense to utilize them because of this feature. The low power draw lets me leave them on all the time so it automatically connects whenever I step on board. It's also super easy for guests to connect. This is one of those few devices that just works and it does so without the hassle that other bluetooth devices frequently have.
It's plenty loud but the speakers are mounted in the cabin and it's blaring when you have to go below. The speakers are inexpensive indoor/outdoor speakers but they would look very out of place on the outside of the boat. I also don't see them holding up well in the elements.

The sound quality is good as long as you don’t want thumping bass and need to play music obnoxiously loud. I have 4 in the cockpit, 1 on each coaming and 1 one each side of the transom.
In addition to not having to drill holes, I liked that they were cheap-the speakers I bought in 2018 were $22/pair and are currently $26/pair on Amazon. The only issue I’ve had is I didn’t get a good bond on one when I epoxied it to inside of the coaming, it fell off after about a month. I did a better job of scuffing and re-epoxied it again and haven’t had any trouble since.

Are these the ones you are referring to for $26?

Is it better to adhere these to cored or uncored fiberglass? Are the highs muffled at all? I have a little 8" sub and amp that I can install in the unused quarter berth.

 

[FDL S2]

Mine are mounted in areas without core, have no idea if they would sound different through cored fiberglass, but I don’t think it would be much different.
Nothing is muffled because the sound is just vibrations that transfer through the fiberglass.

these are the ones I have:

 

[Timm R Oday25]

Our Oday 25 came with two 6 1/2" speakers mounted in the bridgedeck facing the cockpit .Initially I was concerned about there being two big holes to allow water ,rodents ,insects into the cabin . I changed out the speakers for better quality and bought stainless steel enclosures .
The quality is there ,we rarely have the music louder than background level .
The quality and ability of blue tooth speakers to connect together would be a huge deciding factor in redoing music system if I was starting from scratch .

 

[Project_Mayhem]

bridgedeck

Are you referring to the bulkheads on either side of the companionway?

 

[Timm R Oday25]

No , the bridgedeck is where the traveler is mounted . You step on it to get into the cabin . Perhaps I have my terminology wrong . It happens ..often .
A bridge deck is a raised separation between an external cockpit and cabin or saloon, used to keep water from astern from entering from the cockpit, especially in following seas.

 

[dlochner]

The bridge deck is a raised section of deck between the companionway and cockpit. Its purpose is to prevent water from entering the cabin from the cockpit. Because it has deck it is easier to enter the companionway than simply raising the bottom of the companionway.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

No , the bridgedeck is where the traveler is mounted . You step on it to get into the cabin . Perhaps I have my terminology wrong . It happens ..often .
A bridge deck is a raised separation between an external cockpit and cabin or saloon, used to keep water from astern from entering from the cockpit, especially in following seas.

Does this mean that the speakers are down by your feet or secured to the top side of the bridgedeck?

 

[Dalliance]

Mine are in the aft coaming because that’s where the previous owner installed them many years ago when there were fewer options. They’re above the seat cushion and I always sit between them rather than in front of them, so they‘re never blocked.
These are the 3rd set since I’ve owned the boat. Don’t remember what the first ones were, but the 2nd pair were Dual with a flexible perforated vinyl grille that disintegrated after a few years in the sun and the current pair are Fusion with a rigid grille. They actually sound pretty good to me.
If I was installing speakers today with no existing holes, I would seriously explore exciter speakers or Bluetooth with portable speakers rather than cutting fiberglass.