www.iFourWinns.com

Anyone tried putting speakers up on the bow area on Vista? The admiral likes riding on the bow cushions sometimes and is asking about getting some tunes up there. Mainly when we're cruising on plane at about 20mph. I'm considering some box speakers but don't know how well, or even if, they'd be worth bothering with. Then there's the quesiton of effectively mounting them, presumably to the uprights on the bow rails. Thoughts?

one of these might work better....

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2005 Funship 214 5.0GXi/DP | 2006 Yamaha FJR1300

Uh no, the point isn't to have an expensive iPod up on the bow and headphones in her ears. We already lost a plastic Margarita glass overboard (damn thing didn't float). The iPod is plugged into the Clarion setup. That it wouldn't be very safe to have someone up there with headphones on.

I would highly suggest that she not ride on the bow especially on plane. Riding upfont without permanent fixed seating will get you stopped and ticketed by the CG. Even with the bow rails it's not advised.

Just to double check, I'd call the Marine Patrol and/or CG and ask specifically what they consider a proper bow to allow riding.

Just to give you an example, Florida re-worded the bow riding language and now even at idle sitting on the padded engine cowling or sun pad will get you stopped and possible a ticket. A friend's wife always sat on the bbackrests of his bow rider while he was in dile zones. He got stopped and warned that her butt must be seated in a fixed seat even though she was in the middle of the boat, not anywhere near a gunwale.

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

That's all well and good, and thanks for the warning, but it doesn't address the speaker question.

Didn't reply to the speaker part because IMHO the best suggestion was already made...an iPod

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

Best? Not by a long shot. Bad idea on several fronts, the least of which being the cost of an iPod and marine environment risks to it. Then there's the safety risks of having headphones on an not being able to hear, or just getting the cord tangled up while moving about.

While it's certainly a valid point about avoiding use of the bow area while underway, the alternative of using a headphone device is nowhere near 'better'.

I emailed monstertower.com to see if they have any speaker options for a 1" rail...

still waiting for a reply.

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2005 Funship 214 5.0GXi/DP | 2006 Yamaha FJR1300

Thanks! Although wakeboard tower speakers might be serious overkill for this particular situation. I'm not trying to make it THAT LOUD and they're a bit bigger than might look right. But I hadn't considered researching the tower angle, good idea!

While searching the web I did come across that poly planar makes some 4" cube speakers that'll take up to 52 watts. I've no idea what they sound like. But then I'm still faced with the question of where and how to install them in such a way as to be useful without looking odd.

And beyond the use of them while underway, there's also the desire to have sound up on the foredeck when docked or at anchor without having to crank up the arch speakers. Mainly to avoid requiring anyone else nearby to have to listen to whatever we've got playing.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-V6ZZQ3P5fc ... 070DMS655S

OR............



http://www.crutchfield.com/S-pSm8k6qwzNE/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=1086100M

You will need to make a spacer ring as , these infinity's are for a 1 1/2 in rail. should be easy to make.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Clever setup, but those things are WAY too big for use up on the foredeck. I'm going with a pair of 4" Poly Planar 840s using some rail mount clamps.

Okee Dokee, they will sound alot better than those PP's though.
You are a VERY particular person.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Yeah, kinda particular. But remember what I'm trying to accomplish. I'm not trying to CRANK the tunes up there. I'm just trying to add a little fill to the area without having to blast up the sound from the speakers on the arch. As in, anchored out somewhere sitting on the foredeck and wanting a bit of music without disturbing everyone else. Sure, sound carries over water but a couple of smaller speakers pointed right to the seating area, at a reasonable volume is a lot less likely to bug everyone else.

The next step will be figuring out how to run the wires to the speakers and setup a volume control.