I've always wanted to put a stereo in my boat, but I thought about the draw on the battery and decided that it was better to just go out and buy a Sony Sports Radio. Years ago when we cruised Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands, we'd be away for a week. It was more important back then to try and conserve the electric for my running lights autopilot, and VHF radio. The Sony Sports Radio runs on six C batteries and it's built for the outdoors. I've tried other radios and they go dead after a while just from the salt air alone. With that said, I know that you probably have your heart set on buying a marine radio, and that's OK. A few of my friends have them in their boats and they love them. I probably would like one myself. If I did buy one, I would mount it inside the cabin somewhere where I can get to the knobs from the V birth. I enjoy listening to the radio at night and I would want to be able to control it from that area. The speaker could go anywhere and preferably not too close to my compass or autopilot. Sony used to make a long narrow radio years ago and then they changed the style to a round radio which wouldn't really fit too well in my boat and would take up too much room, but the good thing about them is that they are self contained and you can put it anywhere in the boat. These are my thoughts on radios. I'm a guitar player and I love music. It's one of my biggest hobbies.
I just bought this boat, so can't attest to this location, but here is where PO placed stereo.
Itm ight not be the ideal set up but when I put my radio in last winter I just whent with the flexible antena. I used it all lastyear with no complaints at all. I just buried it behind the bulk head. Simple instalation and effective.