Installing speakers on a Beneteau 361 cockpit

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

I am planning to install cockpit speakers on my boat. I know that the "factory speakers" were used to be some 4" Poly Planer speakers. The location to install them, at the two aft lazarettes, is not really flat because of the curvature (not sure if this is the correct word) of the fiberglass wall there. I can see that any 4'' inch speaker when installed will still leave a little gap behind it. So, those who have a Beneteau 361 with cockpit speakers over there how did you manage to install it? Or what did the factory use to do? Did you just fill that little gap with silicone or something? Does it make more sense to install them on the wall of the two big cockpit lazarettes and simply place covers at their back so they don't get hit.
If someone has some close up pictures to post I would appreciate it much to see how they look like.
Thanks

 

[Ron20324]

My B323 has the OEM lazz speakers with hard backs for protection. This way, you can get different/larger speakers than 4". You kind of lose the stereo imaging, but what the hey. You can use something for the back as simple as some plastic bowls.

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

[QUOTE="OEM lazz speakers .[/QUOTE]
Hmmm...OK, I need to ask...what's OEM lazz speakers? I suppose you mean lazarette speakers but what is OEM?

 

[forte]

OEM as in Original Equipment Manufacterer I suppose?
In other words delivered and installed by Beneteau?

 

[Capn John]

Mine are at the back of the cockpit; on either side of the stern walk-thru. I don't have any idea if that was a "factory" installation or not.

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

Mine are at the back of the cockpit; on either side of the stern walk-thru. I don't have any idea if that was a "factory" installation or not.

Do they fit OK or there is a small gap behind them? Can any water get through that gap?

 

[bobgrove22]

I have speakers in the location you mention. I was just poking around there this past weekend, and I did not notice any special method used to account for the flat-speaker-to-curving-surface you describe. It looked like the hole was cut and the speaker screwed in. I will take close-up photos next weekend.

 

[Ron20324]

If you tighten up on a curved surface, you can deform the frame and ruin them. There are foam gaskets you can get or make to go between the speaker and mounting surface. There's always a caulk.

 

[Capn John]

Do they fit OK or there is a small gap behind them? Can any water get through that gap?

See attached pics. If you mount them close enough to the stern walk -thru, I think the area is flat enough. On the port side, you'll need to unscrew and remove the LP storage tub for access. Looks like a bead of caulking around the backside was applied. Hope this helps!

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

Thank you very much for the all the answers.

 

[stevemitchell]

I have a 2000 Beneteau 311 and the speakers are in a slightly different location. I just replaced them earlier this year with much higher quality speakers, and it made a huge difference. The placement is nice too as you still get stereo if you're sitting in most places.

Here's a couple of pics I took today:

Speakers from companionway looking towards stern.

Port speaker

Starboard speaker

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

I would like to add that I have now installed two Fusion MS-FR402 speakers at the back of the cockpit on either side of the stern walk-thru and they sound perfect.