Marine Stereo w/ Remote

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

As I mentioned in another post, I'm gonna get rid of my (currently uninstalled) Marine CD Stereo and try to get one with a remote, preferably a remote that is mounted at the helm.

Can anyone recommend any of these type systems that they may have installed in their boats? Or just marine stereos in general, are there any brands that I should stay away from?

I'm contemplating a 4 speaker system, two in the cabin and two speakers in the helm pedestal. So far, I'm thinking of mounting the unit at the top of the galley cabinet, flush mounted facing towards the rear (battery compartment), right next to the stainless support pipe there (which will still allow me to put some better shelves in there someday as the unit will be up near the top of that cabinet). Doesn't look like any of the mods on this site show an installation there.

Any advice or experiences would be appreciated.

[dclark]

I pulled out my dealer installed stereo last year and put in new everything.

I went with the Clarion Marine stereo.
Click here

The stereo as it comes from the "boat store" includes a CD player and runs around $350. BUT, I didn't do that. Instead I found the same stereo except with a tape player instead of the CD player new on Ebay for $150. Then I bought the Clarion CD changer that holds 6 CD's. That was about the same time the satelite steros were coming out and that may have been part of the reason for the cheaper price. I wasn't interested in satellite stereo.

I installed 4 poly planer speakers
Click Here

I forget the model number on the speakers, but I think they ran about $70 each. The sound great and have a real low magnetic field. I think the are waterproof also. If I remember right, I found the best price at defender.com

I installed an 8' Shakespeare Galaxy antenna
Click Here

I installed this on the port side stern where my dealer originally installed the VHF radio (I installed a masthead VHF antenna to replace the original). On this one I priced it at WM for $69 plus tax. I found a place in Washington state (D&B Marine electronics I think) that would sell it to me for $39 no tax. But UPS wanted $30 for oversized shipping. I talked to the guy and found out he had a distributor about 5 miles from my home. If I was willing to wait a couple weeks, he let me pick it up from them for the same price, noo tax, no shipping cost.

In my galley, the steroe (above) and Cd Changer (below the stereo) looks like this:
Click Here

[dclark]

I think I mis-spoke. The speakers were about $70 a pair not each. I bought two pair.

Also, there is a remote available. I think it is about $100 and you could mount it on the pedestal (it's wired). I didn't buy one. From what I remember, the Clarion and a Jensen model are all I remember that had remote capability.

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Wow Dave, your galley looks awesome, did you do all that woodwork yourself or hire it out?

Seems like you have the whole deal except the remote, do you find yourself wishing you had a remote on the helm at all, or is do you not think its not worth the money?

You may remember a post I did a few weeks ago about bending my masthead VHF antenna. I dropped the mast last week to put the boat back on the trailer and the whip fell off in the water so, I just ordered a new VHF antenna from Valco Electronics (Seemed to have the best prices). This time, I got a Shakespeare 5215 VHF antenna which has a screw-on SS whip instead of the silly rubber booted thing that the old Metz antenna had (the rubber was seriously dry rotted in the sun).

While I was at it, I decided to get an FM antenna as well since it was pretty inexpensive and I figured I would need one. I ordered this one:
Click Here

After seeing your post, I hope I didn't get one too small, although usually, I'm not very far from shore so I didn't figure I would need terrific reception or anything. I was just planning to jury rig some sort of installation inside the cabin. Do you find that with an 8 foot antenna, your reception is dramatically improved?

At that Valco site, they also have a Jenson remote that is pretty inexpensive Click Here. I would have bought it but they didn't seem to have a CD stereo to go with it....and I figured I better get an integrated package all at once. When I called, they said they were expecting some more Jenson stock in soon with perhaps a Marine CD player. Anyone use Jenson Marine audio and can recommend it?

And finally, the Polyplanar stuff seems real good quality but kind of pricey for what we may need inside the cabin of a Mac. Ie, the level of waterproofing may be an overkill...but its still nice. The Polyplanar remote has the microphone built in so that you can send your voice over the speakers like a bullhorn. Of course, Clarion is a well respected name in Marine audio too.

[dclark]

Thanks for the compliments. I did the work myself (too cheap to hire out!). That was my winter project last year and it still looks and feels new.

I like the masthead antenna for the AM/FM as well as the VHF so I think that is a good choice. Being up high, I don't think size really matters as much. I went with the other because I had to do something with the old hole for the old VHF and I already have the VHF antenna, a wind indicator, and a anchor light up there and I figured that was enough. I don't remember the VHF antenna model number but it was the Shakespeare squatty body and it is bolted to the mast - not much chance of losing it.

I liked the remote for the stereo and since I do a lot of single handing I thought it would be important. I passed for one reason (here comes the long story)...

The whole project started because I wanted water. So I wanted a bigger water tank. As long as I was doing that, it made sense to put in a SS sink. And as long as I was going to do that, it made sense to rebuild the galley. In doing that I realized that gave me a perfect spot for a new and better DC electrical panel. I went with the Blue Sea stuff and that gets expensive. So while doing that, my old stereo was in the way and had to come out. So, it seemed to make sense to upgrade to what I really wanted. That led to the new AM/FM antenna which meant a need a new masthead antenna and as long as I was up there (so to speak) I might as well get the anchor light up there two. A lot of work for running water! Expenses mounted and the remote seemed like a good thing to hold off on. Now in the mean time I installed the autopilot and splurged on the remote for that. So even though I single hand a lot, I rarely steer much. That leaves me pretty free to adjust the stereo and at this point I really don't seem to feel like I need it. Without the autopilot I would for sure have the stereo remote by now. How's that for an explaination!?!

The Jensen looks familiar. I think that is the same one I saw last year. But if I remember right, it only works with one or two of their stereo models, so you'd have to go with one of those. I think. For what it's worth, my old stereo was a Jensen Marine AM/FM Casette (anybody want it? Free for the asking. And a pair (actually I think I have four) of the smaller poly planer speakers (the wattage was to low for my new stereo). I'd have to check - I have about half a boat under my bed and in the closet at home. I think there is a black flexible AM/FM antenna under there that I have no use for either. Anyway, the poly planer speakers may be overkill. For sure I don't need them to be water proof. But I really really liked the fact that there is virtually no magnetic field and they have no adverse effect on my compasses. That and the fact that they sound great pretty much sold me and I really didn't spend much time looking at anything else.

[HERNDON]

Is it necessary to purchase a "marine stereo"? Are they manufactured
different? Do the switches, varible resistors, wiper contacts have a
special non oxidizing coating that you are aware of ?

I can understand the speakers.
I need to install one before this summer as no one likes my
singing anymore.

???

Rob H.

[dclark]

Is it necessary to purchase a "marine stereo"? Are they manufactured
different? Do the switches, varible resistors, wiper contacts have a
special non oxidizing coating that you are aware of ?

I can understand the speakers.
I need to install one before this summer as no one likes my
singing anymore.

???

Rob H.

That's a darn good question and one I wondered about for awhile. The best I could figure, is yes and no. I bought the marine stereo but not the marine cd changer. The stereo is water proof (or is it water resistant?) which from what I could tell means the front is well sealed and there is a rubber mounting gasket for it. Does that matter? Mine is inside so it doesn't really seem like it. I remember seeing some that pickup marine weather bands so does that make it a marine stereo? Not rally worth paying extra for since I get it on the VHF. So as far as I can figure, that only leaves the internal parts. Are they made of less corrosive material? I don't know, but I highly doubt it. Look at the high priced televisions they sale for yachts. From what I can tell there is nothing "marine" about them, they are the same as what I find in the chain electronic stores.

[HERNDON]

I went sailing today alone today (first time) and I sing great.
Maybe I'll wait....

and she's buy-ing a stair-way to heaven.

Rob H.

[Rob (1992 26S)]

I bought a car cd player/stereo with remote. It worked well until I had some water get into it - it was mounted inside above the galley (on a Mac 26S) and a mast bolt leaked and the water dripped into it constantly. It still works but the remote control no longer does.
The stereo is cheap - around $150 Can. At that price, I can afford to replace it every five years or so.
The remote doesn't have very long range. I sometimes had to reach forward to use it from the back of the cockpit.
PS - I have the marine speakers. Don't cheap out on those.

[HERNDON]

Maybe I will borrow one of my kids many car stereos and mount it below.
I'll skip there amp and giant base speakers though.

Rob H.