Greetings everyone! I want to add a stereo on my boat and wonder if it's worth the money to get a "marinized" version (with rubber gaskets to waterproof it to some degree) or to just get a cheapo car stereo. Will the car version rust out too quickly? Anyone know? Any opinions? Thanks!
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Well
I looked at the so called marine stereos and decided that a $200.00 wiz bang car stereo is quite OK as long as it doesn't get wet. So I have installed one inside well away from the elements. I figure that if the bloody thing last two-three years its been a good investment. And I'll bet it will last a lot longer than that. The sound quality simply brilliant but I must say I did invest in water proof speakers.
I looked at the so called marine stereos and decided that a $200.00 wiz bang car stereo is quite OK as long as it doesn't get wet. So I have installed one inside well away from the elements. I figure that if the bloody thing last two-three years its been a good investment. And I'll bet it will last a lot longer than that. The sound quality simply brilliant but I must say I did invest in water proof speakers.
car stereo
I am sure that some people will say that I was foolish, but I bought a cheap car stereo. It works great and it has been in the boat for longer than 1 season with no problems (don't see any rust at all). I have the stereo mounted inside of the cabin. I keep a dehumidifier in the cabin when I am not there. The stereo isn't seeing that much moisture. Works great and I saved a lot of money. If it goes bad than I am not out of much money. If I don't get at least five years of use from it I might go to a marine stereo, but I think that it will work okay.
I am sure that some people will say that I was foolish, but I bought a cheap car stereo. It works great and it has been in the boat for longer than 1 season with no problems (don't see any rust at all). I have the stereo mounted inside of the cabin. I keep a dehumidifier in the cabin when I am not there. The stereo isn't seeing that much moisture. Works great and I saved a lot of money. If it goes bad than I am not out of much money. If I don't get at least five years of use from it I might go to a marine stereo, but I think that it will work okay.
the main difference
in most "marine" stereo's is that the circuit boards are coated to prevent corrosion. I primarily sail on lakes in the western US where the humidity is low, so I went with a car stereo. If I was on the east coast where the humidity is high and salt water I would go with a marine stereo.
in most "marine" stereo's is that the circuit boards are coated to prevent corrosion. I primarily sail on lakes in the western US where the humidity is low, so I went with a car stereo. If I was on the east coast where the humidity is high and salt water I would go with a marine stereo.
Marine Music - Tune Your Rig
If your into MP3's or want to learn more about digital music take a look at the article I wrote that's available off my website titled "Tune Your Rig": http://cruisingguide.blogspot.com/. I once had a car stereo (with digital readout and memory) installed in my power boat that ran for about 10 years without a problem before the face fell off the front. Remarkably, the radio still played! You could buy a decent car stereo for just over $100 so to me I don't see the value in the marine versions. Speakers- probably better off with marine-grade than auto speakers. Enjoy! Rob PS - feel free to write in an article about your favorite cruising destination. http://cruisingguide.blogspot.com/
If your into MP3's or want to learn more about digital music take a look at the article I wrote that's available off my website titled "Tune Your Rig": http://cruisingguide.blogspot.com/. I once had a car stereo (with digital readout and memory) installed in my power boat that ran for about 10 years without a problem before the face fell off the front. Remarkably, the radio still played! You could buy a decent car stereo for just over $100 so to me I don't see the value in the marine versions. Speakers- probably better off with marine-grade than auto speakers. Enjoy! Rob PS - feel free to write in an article about your favorite cruising destination. http://cruisingguide.blogspot.com/
More Boom in the box
Lulu Probably depends on where your going to put it. My stereo, Kenwood $250 variety, isnt "marine" but is mounted at the nav station. If it gets wet... er.. i may have a bigger problem than a soggy CD player. I also put Best Buy variety speakers below. I have a hang up closet below that I put a ten inch sub woofer in (kinda like the trunk on your car, makes for good "low riding"). As for speakers up on deck. I ran speaker wires in the lazarettes under the "catbird" seats and use Bose indoor/outdoor speakers that I just pull out and clamp to the stainless with some ordinary "broom handle" holders from HDepot. Works great when you want to "trim" and "get giggy" at the same time. Just store them when not in use in the lazarette. Hey and the best part is Fred Ficarra does something similar and he probably has a pic on his website. If it passed muster with him it must be a good idea
Cheers Rick Whiskey Chaser
Lulu Probably depends on where your going to put it. My stereo, Kenwood $250 variety, isnt "marine" but is mounted at the nav station. If it gets wet... er.. i may have a bigger problem than a soggy CD player. I also put Best Buy variety speakers below. I have a hang up closet below that I put a ten inch sub woofer in (kinda like the trunk on your car, makes for good "low riding"). As for speakers up on deck. I ran speaker wires in the lazarettes under the "catbird" seats and use Bose indoor/outdoor speakers that I just pull out and clamp to the stainless with some ordinary "broom handle" holders from HDepot. Works great when you want to "trim" and "get giggy" at the same time. Just store them when not in use in the lazarette. Hey and the best part is Fred Ficarra does something similar and he probably has a pic on his website. If it passed muster with him it must be a good idea
Cheers Rick Whiskey ChaserGo Auto and Save Big!
I have a Kenwood AM/FM/CD Changer Head Unit, Kenwood 6 CD change both designed for an auto. I've had them installed for six years in the saltwater environment, with no problems. Total cost was $249.00 six years ago. Good Luck, Dave
I have a Kenwood AM/FM/CD Changer Head Unit, Kenwood 6 CD change both designed for an auto. I've had them installed for six years in the saltwater environment, with no problems. Total cost was $249.00 six years ago. Good Luck, Dave
Auto stereo seem to do fine in cabins, my
Alpine has lasted 10 years. The CD player section is going bad which is a common demise for a 10 YO machine. I am going to replace with a marine radio I've found that seems a good deal, a Pyle PLCD15MR that has a wired waterproof remote I hope to put in cockpit and RCA inputs so I can plug the XM radio into it. It's $124.95 at Amazon with free shipping or $117.99 at Etronics + shipping. I'll try to add link here.
Alpine has lasted 10 years. The CD player section is going bad which is a common demise for a 10 YO machine. I am going to replace with a marine radio I've found that seems a good deal, a Pyle PLCD15MR that has a wired waterproof remote I hope to put in cockpit and RCA inputs so I can plug the XM radio into it. It's $124.95 at Amazon with free shipping or $117.99 at Etronics + shipping. I'll try to add link here.
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