I know a stereo takes away from the real beauty of sailing, but I think it time to upgrade from my old portable AM/FM, duct taped battery holder radio to a real system I've listened to a pair of the Bose 131's - sound great in the store. Also a set of Jension's with a Sea Worthy receiver. Hard to really get a good idea of how they would sound on the boat. Any suggestions? Thinking about mounting 2 speakers inside, and 2 under the stern rail seats. Anyone find web sights with good prices? Now if the snow would only melt !!! I'm looking for a good clean, crisp, sounding system.
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Rick Webb
Wal_Mart
I found an AM/FM Cassete Marine Radio at Wal-Mart for like $60 thae same set up at West Marine was $90. Then look in the Photo Forum for the picture of my set up.
I found an AM/FM Cassete Marine Radio at Wal-Mart for like $60 thae same set up at West Marine was $90. Then look in the Photo Forum for the picture of my set up.
Went with the W/M unit.
John: I went with the West Marine unit. It has laster much longer than any other stereo that we have had on the boat. They also have a good warranty.
John: I went with the West Marine unit. It has laster much longer than any other stereo that we have had on the boat. They also have a good warranty.
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Dave Royce
KENWOOD/Bose 151's
I went with a Kenwood AM/FM CD player, mounted with a flush mount bracket from West Marine. I located the unit on the bottom of the ceiling of the aft berth below the power panel. I mounted a set of Bose 151's (weather proof sealed speakers) with Bose brackets to the ceiling. The sound is great and while under sail do not need any speakers outside. When motoring I just turn up the volume. The mounting unit and stereo are black and look pretty nice, the speakers are white and blend in. I have had this set mounted for three years and never had a problem. In my opinion, marine stereo's are a little over rated.
I went with a Kenwood AM/FM CD player, mounted with a flush mount bracket from West Marine. I located the unit on the bottom of the ceiling of the aft berth below the power panel. I mounted a set of Bose 151's (weather proof sealed speakers) with Bose brackets to the ceiling. The sound is great and while under sail do not need any speakers outside. When motoring I just turn up the volume. The mounting unit and stereo are black and look pretty nice, the speakers are white and blend in. I have had this set mounted for three years and never had a problem. In my opinion, marine stereo's are a little over rated.
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Jon Bastien
Marine vs automotive stereo
I recently installed a stereo system aboard my H25- A JVC head unit (automotive), a 12-disc changer that is controlled by the JVC, a pair of Bose AM-V speakers in the cabin (the little cubes- I had them laying around the house), and a pair of Standard Horizon speakers in the cockpit coamings. Sounds wonderful! Good quality speakers make all the difference in the world! OK, back to the original topic... When I was shopping for all this schtuff, I was discussing the difference between the "marinized" units and the automotive units. Turns out, there USED to be a difference- they used to plastic-coat the circuit cards in a "marinized" unit, but not the automotive units. These days, however, the automotive units get the coating on the cards too, so it doesn't really matter which one you get- unless you really like white plastic faceplates. Another thing I've found to be an outstanding addition is a wireless remote control. I can adjust volume, choose CD's or radio stations, and turn the whole shebang off without ever having to remove my hand from the tiller... Cost of stereo, CD changer, and cockpit speakers was about $750 at a discount electronics store, and the interior speakers were something I had on-hand. Yeah, it cost a lot, but my boat can now provide the music for the KW Sailing Club's get-togethers! ;o) -- Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
I recently installed a stereo system aboard my H25- A JVC head unit (automotive), a 12-disc changer that is controlled by the JVC, a pair of Bose AM-V speakers in the cabin (the little cubes- I had them laying around the house), and a pair of Standard Horizon speakers in the cockpit coamings. Sounds wonderful! Good quality speakers make all the difference in the world! OK, back to the original topic... When I was shopping for all this schtuff, I was discussing the difference between the "marinized" units and the automotive units. Turns out, there USED to be a difference- they used to plastic-coat the circuit cards in a "marinized" unit, but not the automotive units. These days, however, the automotive units get the coating on the cards too, so it doesn't really matter which one you get- unless you really like white plastic faceplates. Another thing I've found to be an outstanding addition is a wireless remote control. I can adjust volume, choose CD's or radio stations, and turn the whole shebang off without ever having to remove my hand from the tiller... Cost of stereo, CD changer, and cockpit speakers was about $750 at a discount electronics store, and the interior speakers were something I had on-hand. Yeah, it cost a lot, but my boat can now provide the music for the KW Sailing Club's get-togethers! ;o) -- Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
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Rick Webb
Jon You Missed the Obvious
Marine units are white and cost more automotive ones are black. I had the same set up and the stereo went tango uniform on me. I was about to get a new one I really wanted the remote control but the $60 one at Walmart was to cheap a deal to pass up.
Marine units are white and cost more automotive ones are black. I had the same set up and the stereo went tango uniform on me. I was about to get a new one I really wanted the remote control but the $60 one at Walmart was to cheap a deal to pass up.
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Ken Palmer
The "M" word
I think that the only thing that makes the marine stereo more expensive then the automotive type is the word "marine". Everybody knows that if you own a "yacht", you have lots and lots of money to throw away. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
I think that the only thing that makes the marine stereo more expensive then the automotive type is the word "marine". Everybody knows that if you own a "yacht", you have lots and lots of money to throw away. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
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chuck
Or the el cheap'o
On my old boat (a 77 Cat 22) I had my 8trak from my old sh**box car. The damn thing worked flawlessly for 4 years, I got the speakers off of an old home stereo. They were great, (for their time). Nothing like 4 foot seas, gray skies, and blasting Black Sabbath on your way in under full sail......
On my old boat (a 77 Cat 22) I had my 8trak from my old sh**box car. The damn thing worked flawlessly for 4 years, I got the speakers off of an old home stereo. They were great, (for their time). Nothing like 4 foot seas, gray skies, and blasting Black Sabbath on your way in under full sail......
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Janel
Boat Bucks? Not!
I simply braced down a mini sized Sony quad home system with remote control (remote in ziploc topside) down below and put waterproof/resistant speakers in the cockpit. It runs on 12 volt or dock power and it's just as good as anything I've seen on any boat for 1/3 the price. Warranties are warranties and if it doesn't perform to your satisfaction, take it back! They never ask where you used it!!! Happy sails and tunes! Ms. Toad's Wild Ride
I simply braced down a mini sized Sony quad home system with remote control (remote in ziploc topside) down below and put waterproof/resistant speakers in the cockpit. It runs on 12 volt or dock power and it's just as good as anything I've seen on any boat for 1/3 the price. Warranties are warranties and if it doesn't perform to your satisfaction, take it back! They never ask where you used it!!! Happy sails and tunes! Ms. Toad's Wild Ride
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