Must be the time to add a little music to our boats! We want to put speakers in the cockpit of our 1991 30T, but are having trouble agreeing on a good location. All of the surfaces seem to be too curved or inconvenient. Any suggestions on a good location or experience with cockpit speakers?
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Alan Liebnick
I'm planning the same and...
I've heard suggestions of under the helmsman seat approx. 6-8" above the cockpit floor. This brings the wiring into the aft hatch. I'm thinking of placing bracket speakers on the vertical pedelstal stainless unrights using hose clamps. I'm having difficulty getting my self to drill a 3.5-4.0" inch hole in my fiberglass.
I've heard suggestions of under the helmsman seat approx. 6-8" above the cockpit floor. This brings the wiring into the aft hatch. I'm thinking of placing bracket speakers on the vertical pedelstal stainless unrights using hose clamps. I'm having difficulty getting my self to drill a 3.5-4.0" inch hole in my fiberglass.
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Frank Walker
Down Below
Lynn, I put mine down below in the apron of the headliner where it folds down just aft of the main fwd bulkhead. I even managed to snake the wires through the main cabin beam behind the compression post. They sound just fine up in the cockpit. If you decide to put them in the cockpit keep away from the binnacle. Most of these newer speakers have substantial magnets. Frank Walker
Lynn, I put mine down below in the apron of the headliner where it folds down just aft of the main fwd bulkhead. I even managed to snake the wires through the main cabin beam behind the compression post. They sound just fine up in the cockpit. If you decide to put them in the cockpit keep away from the binnacle. Most of these newer speakers have substantial magnets. Frank Walker
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Thom Hoffman
Hatchboard Mount?
Not familiar with your particular companionway, but I can appreciate your reluctance to cut holes into the fiberglass. Have you considered making a utility hatchboard--maybe 8" high--to which you could mount the speakers? While you're in the cockpit, the speakers could be directed aft. If you're down below, just reverse the board and the speakers will be directed inward. This would require crew to remember to step up and over the speaker mounting board when they go below, but smacking your shin on it once or twice stimulates quick learning--I've got bruises to prove it.
Not familiar with your particular companionway, but I can appreciate your reluctance to cut holes into the fiberglass. Have you considered making a utility hatchboard--maybe 8" high--to which you could mount the speakers? While you're in the cockpit, the speakers could be directed aft. If you're down below, just reverse the board and the speakers will be directed inward. This would require crew to remember to step up and over the speaker mounting board when they go below, but smacking your shin on it once or twice stimulates quick learning--I've got bruises to prove it.
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Tim
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Alan Liebnick
I didn't realize.....
that I'd have to worry about the compas that much because 1. the speakers say minimal effect.2. Where I was placing them by the pedestal there is a metal shelf that my knotmeter and depth sounder are housed onto as well as my cockpit table. Thank you for alerting me> I guess it's BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD!
that I'd have to worry about the compas that much because 1. the speakers say minimal effect.2. Where I was placing them by the pedestal there is a metal shelf that my knotmeter and depth sounder are housed onto as well as my cockpit table. Thank you for alerting me> I guess it's BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD!
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Alan Liebnick
After some thought....
I'm planning on mounting 2 box speakers mounted on a piece of teak (1x3) using the hatchway cover tracks instead of hatchway boards. This should eliminate any tripping over them (I have 3 small children on board). I figure when the hatch is opened I could put these in,having the speakers facing aft. When the weather turns sour I can remove them to down below. Does any one know if they make a AB switch for speakers ie. One pair for down below and second pair up top.
I'm planning on mounting 2 box speakers mounted on a piece of teak (1x3) using the hatchway cover tracks instead of hatchway boards. This should eliminate any tripping over them (I have 3 small children on board). I figure when the hatch is opened I could put these in,having the speakers facing aft. When the weather turns sour I can remove them to down below. Does any one know if they make a AB switch for speakers ie. One pair for down below and second pair up top.
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Marc Honey
AB switch
Radio shack would be an easy source for switches like you're looking for. However, most car stereo units will drive two sets of stereo speakers...front left/right & rear left/right so that all you need to do is use your "fader" switch to control volume in either/both sets. My 28.5 has 2- 6x9 triaxial speakers down in the cabin (left/right) and 2- 6 1/2 round coaxial speakers (left/right) in the cockpit. You can crank 'em all or turn up/down by the pair...no rocket science here!!!
Radio shack would be an easy source for switches like you're looking for. However, most car stereo units will drive two sets of stereo speakers...front left/right & rear left/right so that all you need to do is use your "fader" switch to control volume in either/both sets. My 28.5 has 2- 6x9 triaxial speakers down in the cabin (left/right) and 2- 6 1/2 round coaxial speakers (left/right) in the cockpit. You can crank 'em all or turn up/down by the pair...no rocket science here!!!
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Alan Liebnick
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Guest
Where I put mine
I have a H31, not sure how that maps to your boat. I placed 2 6/9 speakers under the helmsman seat (drilled thru the glass). Two inside speakers (box types) flush mounted near bulkheads. Sound is awesome, inside and out. Never had a problem. No impact on compass or Autohelm (that I've noticed).
I have a H31, not sure how that maps to your boat. I placed 2 6/9 speakers under the helmsman seat (drilled thru the glass). Two inside speakers (box types) flush mounted near bulkheads. Sound is awesome, inside and out. Never had a problem. No impact on compass or Autohelm (that I've noticed).
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A. Todd Henker
Where I put mine
We have a 1991 30T as well. I decided the best place to install speakers was on the forward main cabin bulkhead, facing into the cabin. I bought a pair of Pioneer 6 1/2" 3 way speakers with polymer cones, so as not to be affected by long term exposure to high humidity. I like Pioneer auto speakers best, because they consistantly deliver better low frequency response than any other brands, and they usually are very efficient, which means more volume with less power. I installed one on each side of the forward cabin door, mounted as high as possible, but such that the rear of the speakers would still be inside the two lockers in the forward cabin. I also installed them as far apart as possibe to provide maximum stereo separation in the cabin. Installation in this manner allows the forward lockers to act as resonant chambers, similar to home speaker cabinet enclosures. This greatly enhances low frequency response. Since the speakers are aimed rearward, they can be heard reasonably well from the cockpit while under sail, or at the dock, as well as throughout the cabin. I cut the holes in the main buIkhead by drilling multiple 1/2" holes along a penciled outline of the hole to be cut out, and then using a sabre saw to cut between the drilled holes. You'll want to remove the cushions, and tape some plastic tarps against the cabin sides, and have a vacuum handy. The sawing makes a LOT of dust that seems to go everywhere. I installed a car stereo deck on the port side of the main cabin, just underneath the shelving, between the two cabinets, toward the aft cabinet. I made a wooden face plate just large enough to hide the rear of the stereo from general eyesight, with a cut out such that the stereo could be slid in and out easily. I rigidly mounted the face plate with (3) 2" angle brackets - (1) on each side of the plate to the bottom of the top shelf, and (1) on the aft bottom corner to the side of the aft port cabinet. I ran the power wires along the bottom of the top shelf (attached with nylon wire mounting loops) aft to the main power panel. The starboard speaker wires were attached to the back surface of the main bulkhead with nylon wire mounting straps, inside the forward cabin locker. They were routed to the port side, along the existing wires for the starboard front cabin light. The speaker wires were then routed along the bottom of the top shelf on the port side, aft to the stereo deck. This installation sounds great, the wire routing was easy, and everything is inside the cabin, protected from elements. The wooden faceplate makes the stereo deck look like it was factory installed. I hope this helps you out.
We have a 1991 30T as well. I decided the best place to install speakers was on the forward main cabin bulkhead, facing into the cabin. I bought a pair of Pioneer 6 1/2" 3 way speakers with polymer cones, so as not to be affected by long term exposure to high humidity. I like Pioneer auto speakers best, because they consistantly deliver better low frequency response than any other brands, and they usually are very efficient, which means more volume with less power. I installed one on each side of the forward cabin door, mounted as high as possible, but such that the rear of the speakers would still be inside the two lockers in the forward cabin. I also installed them as far apart as possibe to provide maximum stereo separation in the cabin. Installation in this manner allows the forward lockers to act as resonant chambers, similar to home speaker cabinet enclosures. This greatly enhances low frequency response. Since the speakers are aimed rearward, they can be heard reasonably well from the cockpit while under sail, or at the dock, as well as throughout the cabin. I cut the holes in the main buIkhead by drilling multiple 1/2" holes along a penciled outline of the hole to be cut out, and then using a sabre saw to cut between the drilled holes. You'll want to remove the cushions, and tape some plastic tarps against the cabin sides, and have a vacuum handy. The sawing makes a LOT of dust that seems to go everywhere. I installed a car stereo deck on the port side of the main cabin, just underneath the shelving, between the two cabinets, toward the aft cabinet. I made a wooden face plate just large enough to hide the rear of the stereo from general eyesight, with a cut out such that the stereo could be slid in and out easily. I rigidly mounted the face plate with (3) 2" angle brackets - (1) on each side of the plate to the bottom of the top shelf, and (1) on the aft bottom corner to the side of the aft port cabinet. I ran the power wires along the bottom of the top shelf (attached with nylon wire mounting loops) aft to the main power panel. The starboard speaker wires were attached to the back surface of the main bulkhead with nylon wire mounting straps, inside the forward cabin locker. They were routed to the port side, along the existing wires for the starboard front cabin light. The speaker wires were then routed along the bottom of the top shelf on the port side, aft to the stereo deck. This installation sounds great, the wire routing was easy, and everything is inside the cabin, protected from elements. The wooden faceplate makes the stereo deck look like it was factory installed. I hope this helps you out.
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Jim Wharton
Best place for speaker
On my 91 30T I purchased a set of West Marine box speakers $99, and a set of the white hangers (used to attach items to railing) I got some stock aluminum from the hardware store and made a plate to attach the rail holders to the back of the box speaker plate. I installed the speakers on the bottom railing on the transom. It works great. Jim jim.wharton@fnc.fujitsu.com
On my 91 30T I purchased a set of West Marine box speakers $99, and a set of the white hangers (used to attach items to railing) I got some stock aluminum from the hardware store and made a plate to attach the rail holders to the back of the box speaker plate. I installed the speakers on the bottom railing on the transom. It works great. Jim jim.wharton@fnc.fujitsu.com
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