Looking at various stereos/CD players to put in my 26' sailboat, came across a SeaWorthy 9503BL by ProSpec Electronics. I've never heard of Prospec before, does anyone know if their gear is any good? More generally: "Marine" stereos seem to pack fewer features for the same price as auto stereos do. For instance, for the same $150.00 (approx.) that this 9503BL sells for, you can get car stereos that also have mp3 support, remote control, etc. This SeaWorthy model claims to have a plastic coated circuit board and other features to help it last longer in a marine environment. Do car stereos/CD players really have shorter lifespans when mounted inside the cabin of a sailboat? Or do I get better value from just using a car stereo. This thing is never going to get wet unless my boat sinks (it is going to be high up inside the cabin, well away from the hatches). Any input and specifically any experience with SeaWorthy or ProSpec would be much appreciated. Thanks, Andy
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Buy car stereo/cd player and mount in
weather proof marine enclosure from West Marine or try the attached link. The only Marine grade items you want are the speakers. Good luck.
weather proof marine enclosure from West Marine or try the attached link. The only Marine grade items you want are the speakers. Good luck.
Auto Stereo
I installed a Kenwood AM/FM CD Control Head Unit with a 6 Disk Changer for $249.00 5 years ago with no problems to date. Standard speakers indoors, marine speakers in the cockpit. I bought the five year warranty (concerned about the marine environment) but never used it.
I installed a Kenwood AM/FM CD Control Head Unit with a 6 Disk Changer for $249.00 5 years ago with no problems to date. Standard speakers indoors, marine speakers in the cockpit. I bought the five year warranty (concerned about the marine environment) but never used it.
Best luck was with a West Marine cheapo
I had several stereos on my H'31 over the years. It seams that each one crapped out when the warranty expired. I finally decided to bite the bullet and puchased one from West Marine. This was not a very expensive unit. It has been aboard for about 10 years. The price was right and it still works!
I had several stereos on my H'31 over the years. It seams that each one crapped out when the warranty expired. I finally decided to bite the bullet and puchased one from West Marine. This was not a very expensive unit. It has been aboard for about 10 years. The price was right and it still works!
SeaWorthy Trash
I purchased a SeaWorthy AM/FM/CD player. What a piece of crap. Died within the year. Purchased a car stereo (Sony) and installed the West Marine Stereo container. It mounts just about where ever and seals the stereo unit. 3 years to date and the stereo is still cranking.
I purchased a SeaWorthy AM/FM/CD player. What a piece of crap. Died within the year. Purchased a car stereo (Sony) and installed the West Marine Stereo container. It mounts just about where ever and seals the stereo unit. 3 years to date and the stereo is still cranking.
One Advantage
One advantage I can see to purchasing a "marine" stereo head unit is the availability of a hard wired remote. On a larger boat, it can be a real pain to "run below" to turn it down/change a station/crank it up!, etc. And a wireless remote will never be where you want it when you want it, and you have to be within visual range of the head unit when you use the remote. Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
One advantage I can see to purchasing a "marine" stereo head unit is the availability of a hard wired remote. On a larger boat, it can be a real pain to "run below" to turn it down/change a station/crank it up!, etc. And a wireless remote will never be where you want it when you want it, and you have to be within visual range of the head unit when you use the remote. Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
prospec/ sea worthy marine stereo/ cd review
I went thru the whole nine yards of research and the basic difference between marine sterios and car radios, I was told was that the marine unit uses gold dot rather than silver dot connection points. gold being more weather proof. The anticipated life span was ont to two years longer with mairne. i went wth the car unit....better price multitude of options...
I went thru the whole nine yards of research and the basic difference between marine sterios and car radios, I was told was that the marine unit uses gold dot rather than silver dot connection points. gold being more weather proof. The anticipated life span was ont to two years longer with mairne. i went wth the car unit....better price multitude of options...
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