Stereo installlation

[1-Tntimbo]

I bought a nice stereo system for the 6x a few months ago and have been putting off installation.

I suppose my biggest fear is cutting speaker holes. I would like to locate the speakers next to the main cabin entrance on each side. I have seen several pictures of similar installations, later I may add additional speakers inside.

I have a Dremel tool, but have never used it to cut anything, much less holes in a valued possession. I have heard mixed comments about using the Dremel. It seems to me the Dremel would be more precise and less likely to make a costly mistake with. Anyone use a Dremel for this??
Tim

[March]

Typically, speakers have a pretty wide lip, so you may use a dremel to cut out two round holes on either side of the entrance: make sure you look on the inside and cut them in such a way as to enable you to reach them from the other side: on an X, there's a panel inside on port side that may be easily removed, and a round one in the head enclosure, close enough to the roof that would allow easy access to the winch, from underneath.

However, a more convenient way is to rent a drill attachment for your drill and cut a perfectly round hole, as large as you need. Speakers usually come with a template for cutting out such holes in the enclosure. Just make sure that you take the inside diameter of the speaker, and not that of the lip itself.

If the lip is wide enough, as it should be, you can still use the dremel and even if you're slightly off by a couple of millimeters, the lip is going to cover them. I did that when I installed portholes in the cockpit. Then I used expanding foam between the two layers of fiberglass, just to make sure the area was rigid, popped windows in place, siliconed them, and tightened the screws. But when I installed a solar vent for the head on the starboard side (where your right speaker would probably go) I rented the attachment for 8 dollars and finished everything in 5 minutes flat

[1-Tntimbo]

Where did you rent the attachment?
T

[March]

A local rental place that offers tools, vacuums, drills, cement mixers, etc. It's called "Aero-Rental," but you should be able to find something similar in your area

[RGF]

You will probably wind up buying a hole saw for that ,it makes a very nice clean hole. They can be had at Lowes or Home Depot in various sizes or as a kit

[Russ]

You've looked for other places to mount them? I hate drilling into fiberglass.

I have rectangle weatherproof speakers mounted under my stern seats. Don't see 'em and I can remove them in the off season.

For holes, this might help
http://www.amazon.com/SPEARE-AB-1610-Ad ... B000ETAN36

[Wind Chime]

Reminder for dilling holes in fiberglass:
- always use green painters tape where you are going to cut and cut through the tape, to reduce splintering
- start the drill in reverse to get the hole started, then in forward

[RobertB]

I have a Jenson Marine stereo and two sets of speakers - one set installed on RAM mounts either side of the companionway. After all that, I mainly use a Jawbone Big Jambox http://www.amazon.com/Jawbone-JAMBOX-Wi ... big+jambox I can put anywhere. Great sound.

[paul I]

By installing speakers in the location you mentioned, you are using prime real estate that is best used for instrumentation or compass, etc, not to mention they will constantly be getting rained on. Consider mounting them on the sides of the steering pedestal in the plexiglass panels. I mounted a pair of 6" two ways on each side and hooked one on each side in parallel. This provides both channels of music on each side of the pedestal. Great sound, no holes in the fiberglass, and they are out of the way and out of the elements.

[March]

If it comes to alternatives, not having speakers at all in the cockpit is also an option worth considering--for some. You don't have to have speakers only because you can.

They will get rained on at some point, no matter where you put them, even on each side of the steering column (mounted on each side of the companionway will be at a slight angle, so you will get some additional raindrops if the rain comes down hard and you have a tailwind) But these speakers are supposed to be marine grade, right? The problem with each side of the column is, you won't be getting a full stereo sound no matter where you sit. Sure, some sound will seep through if you crank it up hard enough, but the speaker facing you will blast you away, while the opposite one will be too quiet, losing resolution. You can, of course, go mono, or not mind it that much, but then what's the point? A $5.00 boombox from Goodwill would work just as well--and not draw juice from the battery either

I love music, but I would never mount speakers in the cockpit. Part of the pleasure of sailing is listening to the winds, and waves against the hull. I even find the growling of the engine soothing--as long as it's constant and it doesn't miss a beat. If we really want music while at anchor, even a small i-pod with additional speakers (or not) or an old fashioned radio will do the trick. Yet most passengers don't seem to mind the sound of elements. I mind it even less.

Just my twopence

[Y.B.Normal]

I have box speakers mounted on hinges on either side of the companionway. This allows them to be swung in towards the cabin or out towards the cockpit while keeping them dry inside the cabin. I also have another smaller set of box speakers hung from the cabin top above the forward end of the dinette and in the "hallway" between the port side of the cabin and the daggerboard well. This gives me great sound in the cabin.

My stereo has a small remote which allows me to control the station and volume from the cockpit.

Look for previous posts (several years ago) for pictures on how to mount them.

[81venture]

Borrow a Roto-zip from someone....Thats what I use all the time for cutting speaker holes, gauge holes, etc.

The speakers should come in packaging that doubles as a template hole..trace it out, then use the roto-zip to carve it out.

Speaker holes don't have to be "Perfect" as usually the back fits through the hole you cut, and there is a lip around the speaker that will cover it completely if your hole isn't "perfect" and no one will be the wiser...

[Carioca]

C4 makes a hole fast.

[tlgibson97]

I use a hole saw to to cut a hole as close to the size I need as possible without going too big. I think use a course sanding drum with a dremel or die grinder to enlarge it to size. Very dusty so take appropriate precautions with that. Fiberglass pretty much eats up any blade I use to cut holes.

[paul I]

But these speakers are supposed to be marine grade, right? The problem with each side of the column is, you won't be getting a full stereo sound no matter where you sit. Sure, some sound will seep through if you crank it up hard enough, but the speaker facing you will blast you away, while the opposite one will be too quiet, losing resolution.

March,

That is why I mounted 2 speakers per side on the column, 4 speakers total. They are wired in series with both channels present on each side.