Sound System Recommendations

[Mergatroid]

I will be installing a sound system in my h26, any do's or don'ts I could consider?

Will I need to upgrade the electrical pannel from the factory one?

I want cabin and cockpit speakers, CD, Ipod connectivity.

Any advice would be helpful.

 

[J Page]

Sound system

I installed a sound system on my Hunter 30 about 3 seasons back. I just spliced into my cabin light circut and had never had any problems with power/ blowing breakers ect. I also have 1 hella fan wired to the same circut. While i never turned every light on the boat on at the same, and the fan, and the stereo, I doubt it would trip breaker as all of my cabin lights have been switched over to LED's. I would lag into a current circut and not sweat it.

Make sure you get a model with a REMOTE!!!! I didn't(it was only 20 dollars more) and I am still kicking myself. Unless the stereo will be out in the cockpit, buy automotive as the prices are better, features are better, and they last just fine. Most models will now control 2 sets of speakers or more, I split front/back speakers between cockpit and cabin, so we can still listen while kids sleep/watch movies below ect.

Buy marine speakers for outside for sure. This is where to spend the cash, don't skimp. Don't get caught up on speaker size too much. You'll be surprised how little power you need as you are so close to the sound and usually want to converse while sailing. Speakers for the cabin can be auto as they will not be exposed to spray,( I hope). Make sure that the cockpit speaker are either sheilded or far enough away from the compass so you don't end up on the rocks or the beach.

Pray for Wind,
Lugeman

 

[Louis]

I recently bought

this sony unit (see link). It works great and comes with an attached cable that plugs into a standard ipod (no wires to loose). I comes with a remote that also controls the ipod. A big plus for us fumble finger types, is that the volume control is a knob rather than two tiny buttons. I didn't bother buying a 'marine' unit as I installed it in the cabin. It was relativly easy to install. The wiring is simple and I made a simple bracket from a perforated steel bar I got from Home Depot (I was able to attach it to the bolts from the travller above). All in all it took a Saturday morning. By the way, I found that the long, 'wire' antenna works better for FM reception that a standard 'stick' antenna. The same company has a huge inventory of speakers too. Good Luck!

 

[Mike Davis]

Do NOT install the unit

in one of those smallish water-tight marine enclosures. It does a nice job of protecting the unit from water, but it also traps nearly all the heat generated by the unit. My CD's come out almost too hot to touch, which can't be good for the CD or the electronics. I installed mine down below, but used the marine enclosure to avoid cutting large holes in my brand-new boat. This winter, the holes get cut.

 

[Clark]

Great point Mike! Our 280 has one of those enclosures and the unit inside is now partially dead.

I plan to replace it and while doing so, I'd decided to put some vent holes in the enclosure. The enclosure is mounted just below the overhead breaker panel - a hot place anyway and I'm sure the lack of ventilation contributed to the demise of the CD drive.