Was wondering if anyone had advice about installation of cockpit stereo speakers. I have a 1995v 29.5 and I was thinking about avoiding the problems that can come along with drilling holes on the lockers....I was thinking about mounting the speakers on the stainless steel frame of the bimini. Suggestions/thought? Is there an easy way to hide the wires? Thanks in advance.
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One idea
One possibility that I came across in a Don Casey book is to cut a piece of marine plywood to fit into the bottom of the companionway, and drill holes in it to accomodate a pair of speakers. You can wire a jack into the bulkhead inside the companionway, and simply plug the speakers into that. You won't have to drill holes in the cockpit this way, and you can stow the speakers below when not in use. This is on my project list for the upcoming season.
One possibility that I came across in a Don Casey book is to cut a piece of marine plywood to fit into the bottom of the companionway, and drill holes in it to accomodate a pair of speakers. You can wire a jack into the bulkhead inside the companionway, and simply plug the speakers into that. You won't have to drill holes in the cockpit this way, and you can stow the speakers below when not in use. This is on my project list for the upcoming season.
Compass Safe Distance
Skippy, May I suggest you experiment by placing the speakers in various positions and watching the binnacle. My 376 has its speakers in the bottom of the steering console about 2' from the compass - which is thereby rendered useless.
Skippy, May I suggest you experiment by placing the speakers in various positions and watching the binnacle. My 376 has its speakers in the bottom of the steering console about 2' from the compass - which is thereby rendered useless.
If Possible Don't Permanently Mount Speakers
If you ever need to use the compass it will work better without stray magnetic fields around. Perhaps the OEM compass isn't that sensitive but if it was ever upgraded you'd be stuck if the original was used as a sensitivity test. The Northwest is prone to fog and low visibility and a sensitive compass is still something good to have. I have had electrical circuit failure, along with the GPS, radar, and autopilot failure (all at the same time), so having an accurate compass was really handy. It's a C.Plath "Venus" which is a good one. As a test to find a safe distance to install the "talk-back" speaker for the loudhailer I found it had to be more than 6 feet away before the card wouldn't move, and this was before the little speaker was energized! We're only talking about a 2" speaker here!!! Since I couldn't find a safe distance for installation in the cockpit the talk-back speaker still hasn't been permanently installed and I have no stereo speakers in the cockpit for the same reason. Besides the compass issue I've seen many boaters cut large holes in the cockpit to mount their speakers. I hope they never have a knockdown because that speaker cone isn't going to stop the flood of water from going down below and possibly sinking the boat. Consider creative ideas like, say, a Velcro attachment. Run the speaker wires to the cockpit and have pig tails on the speakers for connecting. The rest of the time, when the speakers aren't used just stow them below deck. Also, the speaker cones and voice coils will like being out of the elements too.
If you ever need to use the compass it will work better without stray magnetic fields around. Perhaps the OEM compass isn't that sensitive but if it was ever upgraded you'd be stuck if the original was used as a sensitivity test. The Northwest is prone to fog and low visibility and a sensitive compass is still something good to have. I have had electrical circuit failure, along with the GPS, radar, and autopilot failure (all at the same time), so having an accurate compass was really handy. It's a C.Plath "Venus" which is a good one. As a test to find a safe distance to install the "talk-back" speaker for the loudhailer I found it had to be more than 6 feet away before the card wouldn't move, and this was before the little speaker was energized! We're only talking about a 2" speaker here!!! Since I couldn't find a safe distance for installation in the cockpit the talk-back speaker still hasn't been permanently installed and I have no stereo speakers in the cockpit for the same reason. Besides the compass issue I've seen many boaters cut large holes in the cockpit to mount their speakers. I hope they never have a knockdown because that speaker cone isn't going to stop the flood of water from going down below and possibly sinking the boat. Consider creative ideas like, say, a Velcro attachment. Run the speaker wires to the cockpit and have pig tails on the speakers for connecting. The rest of the time, when the speakers aren't used just stow them below deck. Also, the speaker cones and voice coils will like being out of the elements too.
speakers
I believe your 29.5 has stern rail seats. I believe NavPod makes a really nice enclosure that would allow your speaker to be mounted under the stern rail seats. You can get fancy and run the wires through the SS tubing or merely bring them out of a small hole drilled in the transom and hold them to the tubing with wire ties. I've seen these and they look great. In addition you haven't cut any big ugly holes in your boat and the speakers are out of the weather somewhat and don't tend to get kicked in.
I believe your 29.5 has stern rail seats. I believe NavPod makes a really nice enclosure that would allow your speaker to be mounted under the stern rail seats. You can get fancy and run the wires through the SS tubing or merely bring them out of a small hole drilled in the transom and hold them to the tubing with wire ties. I've seen these and they look great. In addition you haven't cut any big ugly holes in your boat and the speakers are out of the weather somewhat and don't tend to get kicked in.
On our 29.5....
...we mounted Bose 151's under the stern rail seats. The 151 speaker boxes have a threaded insert molded in to the case. I drilled a hole between the teak slats and bolted the speakers to the underside with a SS hex head bolt. The speaker wires were wire tied to the SS tubing and led under the stern locker lids. Bose speakers are not known for good bass response so I mounted a powered sub woofer below in the aft cabin. Good for the reggae music man. They have been there for six or seven years and still sound wonderful.
...we mounted Bose 151's under the stern rail seats. The 151 speaker boxes have a threaded insert molded in to the case. I drilled a hole between the teak slats and bolted the speakers to the underside with a SS hex head bolt. The speaker wires were wire tied to the SS tubing and led under the stern locker lids. Bose speakers are not known for good bass response so I mounted a powered sub woofer below in the aft cabin. Good for the reggae music man. They have been there for six or seven years and still sound wonderful.
Under the stern rail seats....hmmmmmm
I never thought of that.....besides the pricey navpods ($300 plus/pair) anyone else know someone that sells under the stern rail seat type of speakers?
I never thought of that.....besides the pricey navpods ($300 plus/pair) anyone else know someone that sells under the stern rail seat type of speakers?
$300 ? Way too much!
$300 is a lot more than I paid for these (see link below). $179/pair - enclosure and speakers for underseat mounting. Catalina (I know, this is the hunter board) thoughtfully installed the speaker wiring from the entertainment center location right out to the stern, and up through the stanchion tubing, exiting and tied off for easy installation completion - either by their dealers, or owners. The only "mod" I did to them was to drill a drain hole at the bottom, outboard corner of each to allow any water that might enter the enclosure to be able to find a natural path out, whenever the boat is heeled. I bought several items online from "Daves" and have been very satisfied. Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
$300 is a lot more than I paid for these (see link below). $179/pair - enclosure and speakers for underseat mounting. Catalina (I know, this is the hunter board) thoughtfully installed the speaker wiring from the entertainment center location right out to the stern, and up through the stanchion tubing, exiting and tied off for easy installation completion - either by their dealers, or owners. The only "mod" I did to them was to drill a drain hole at the bottom, outboard corner of each to allow any water that might enter the enclosure to be able to find a natural path out, whenever the boat is heeled. I bought several items online from "Daves" and have been very satisfied. Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
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