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The admiral is keen to get some music playing in our MacGregor M. I picked up a new Fusion marine CD/MP3/Receiver with two waterproof speakers on a special deal at the local boating shop. Big question is where to mount the speakers??? Finding a good spot in the cockpit is tough where the won't catch on things. Down below is safer and neater but I am open to suggestions on this as well. We have had boats with speakers down below before and you can't hear them very well when in the cockpit without blasting the volume out.

Where have others mounted their speakers and sound systems??

Cheers
Rob

I put mine here (just below the companionway step on each side:



They are out of the way and you can hear them inside and out. Use a fly-cutter to cut the holes - they will be nice and round and a fly cutter is infinitely adjustable for a perfect fit. Test it out on thin board or thick cardboard until you get the fit just right.

Aubrey Scott in Texas

I have the same issue...installed the stereo over a year ago but still have the speakers sitting in the sink. Just can't quite figure out where and how to mount them.

It seems kind of "scary" to drill such large holes that low in the cockpit...I think I will go with in the cabin.

Jim

c130king wrote:It seems kind of "scary" to drill such large holes that low in the cockpit...I think I will go with in the cabin.

Agree, Jim... I've never really trusted 'waterproof' speakers... I think I'd want to have them mounted in some really tight speaker boxes that are sealed to the hull to prevent major leaks with a substantial wash-over.

Mine are mounted inside the cabin, over the V-berth... if I want tunes outside I just turn it up a bit!

I put two where Kevin put his, and two more in the cockpit. I cover them with Saran wrap and a rubber band when not in use.

Remember they cant be too near the compass or you will have to swing it to re-calibrate it...

Kevin has posted that info and pictures for me before when I have asked the same question. I will look into that option some more this weekend...just have to figure out how to run the wires. Stereo is on the port side...could run the wires down the port side interior liner and then hopefully figure out how to get them up to that area.

Smart guy like me should be able to figure that out...NOT!!

Jim

I went forward with my wires, then put them under the liner by running them through a hole in the plug for the boweye, then astern to the stereo....

Catigale wrote:I went forward with my wires, then put them under the liner by running them through a hole in the plug for the boweye, then astern to the stereo....

Catigale wrote:I went forward with my wires, then put them under the liner by running them through a hole in the plug for the boweye, then astern to the stereo....

Ditto!

Over the V-berth is a good idea as it incorporates each hollow cavity as a speaker cabinette and produces great sound. I also did this but added two more speakers in the salon area opposite each other under the salon seats also making use of the hollow chambers for speaker cabinettes. Keep in mind that if you have an advertised 200 watt system with wires for four speakers and you only hook up two that you now have only 100 watts - use four speakers for full output.
Yes, I have to turn it up to hear it in the cockpit, but I rarely have it going while sailing, it is more for listening to while hanging out on the boat at the dock. You can also get a VHF/FM splitter box and make use of your VHF antenna for your stereo if it has a tuner.

Terry wrote:You can also get a VHF/FM splitter box and make use of your VHF antenna for your stereo if it has a tuner.

Yes, I have one and it works well.

I also have a hard time cutting big holes in the cockpit. Same with trusting speakers to be waterproof.
What i've done is buy some cheap outdoor box speakers and set them in the cockpit when desired, stowed when not.

The dealer mounted 2 speakers under the table and directly across in the sides. They work pretty well there.

--Russ

My stereo installation has turned out to be perfect. I have great sound in the cabin and the cockpit. No fear of water damage and no loose items to stow. Take a look at: http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=691

here's my set up my radio
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010006.jpg

my rear cabin swing out to cockpit speakers
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010001.jpg


their mounted on wedge shaped plastic boards so as if you bang into or lean against them they will flex backwards so as you do not hurt yourself & spring back into their original possition you can swing them around so as they point into the cockpit for a great sound
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010039.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010040.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010041.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010042.jpg

my front speakers are mounted under the seats on both sides so as when sitting inside the cabin the sound level can be fairly high without the music blasting your head off
here is the starboard side under the dinnette table front seat
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010018.jpg
here is the port side under the seat accross from the dagger board just in front of the galley
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010019.jpg

J

Here's where I mounted our stereo speakers in our 26M:

#1 is on the verticle panel under the forward part of the starboard dinette table.

#2 is directly across on the port side.

Our daughter is an audio technician and she approved of this arrangement

I put the radio/cd and the speakers in the area above the big mirror, lots of space, allowing radio, speakers, and antenna to be contained in one place.
Just bite the bullet and cut the holes needed, but use the fancy jig saw with a steerable blade. You'll need it in such tight quarters.

Switched 12v power is available there also, either from the table light or the mast light plug, all in the same void.
Just cut the wires of your choice and tap the power for the radio and antenna, switched from the power center.

My unit came with a remote control that works great from the cockpit.
( A remote control for a car radio??? I don't get it for use in a car??? But it's great on the boat)

I also used a 12v powered dipole FM antenna streched out on the inboard side of the daggerboard trunk behind the little mirror there.
Works okay for AM also.
It's all semi cheap car stuff, but no problems at all in three years.

Granted, not much stereo separation, but I'm not to picky about such things for casual tunes or news.
Another down side is losing all of the station presets when I leave the boat for weeks at a time.
I turn off the power switches at the panel, killing the radio.

Small price in exchange for such an easy an power run IMHO.