www.iFourWinns.com

Hi All,

I am looking at new stereo head units for a FW Vista 378.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

I will need the head unit to be able to take two remote controls, one for the transom and one for the helm.

Also, there used to be an amp (Sony XPLOD 800w) in the cabin, is this really necessary or will modern head units be able to power the speakers on board.

Thanks,

Peter

I just installed the Sony CDX-M60UI. Loaded with features. We love it. Meet all your needs that you listed, plus it has an iPod interface and aux input.

It is a "high power" receiver. It's not strong enough for my tastes. I want to be able to hear the tunes when underway. This is not possible with the receiver alone, even with great speakers ... at least on my boat.

When I am anchored and we are swimming behind the boat, I have to crank it up a good bit to hear it.

On a boat your size, I would want lots and lots of speakers and lots and lots of power to drive them.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Although my boat is a little smaller, take a look at my stereo. You CAN hear it while underway and you can also hear it while floating behind the boat. One thing I take serious is my music on the boat.

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=7280

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Most head units can only power 4 speakers and then only for an enclosed space. Thus in a boat it's typical to use a separate amplifier for the speakers on the outside. They supply more power and allow connecting more speakers. Most amps will work with other brand head units.

Fidelity is rather pointless out on a boat. Yeah, you can tell the difference when higher quality speakers are used. But you'll also be able to tell in your wallet too. And those speakers will degrade just as rapidly out in the elements as lesser quality ones. Typically 3-4 years before the cones crack. So you may want to save yourself a lot of money and just get mid range stuff like what Clarion makes.

If you have existing remotes then some head units made by the same vendor may work with them. Clarion remotes were compatible up until the most recent CMD-6 head units. Older CMD-5 and other models can be had cheap via ebay and the like. Also note some remotes use a different sized hole, so be prepared for fiberglass work.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Thanks for the info.

I have been looking into it and it looks like I will have to replace the entire sound system. The speakers have been outside for 6 years, unattended to and unused so I imaging they can’t be in too good shape, But I suppose I will know once I get the head unit in.

It is one of many pieces to the puzzle of this boat refurbishment so I will upload pictures on nearing completion.

A quick visual check will tell you the most. Just pop off the grille and look at the speaker cone. No doubt you'll see cracks all over it. That's a sign you need new ones. Powering them up will confirm it as they'll sound like they look.

It's likely you have an amp to drive the outside speakers. Unless something fried it, you could probably keep it. They're pretty durable under normal use.

If you decide to replace the speakers with different ones be aware the mounting holes will likely be different. Be prepared to properly drill and countersink new holes. You have to pre-drill because screws straight into gelcoat and fiberglass would cause it to expand and crack badly. If you stick with the same size speakers you probably won't have to change the size of the actual hole in the fiberglass, just the screw mounting ones.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Thanks Bill,

I will try to stick to the same size speaker and be mindful of predrilling and countersinking the mounting holes. As for the amp, I'm pretty sure it is gone to god but I will test it anyway by running some power over it. From a visual inspection, all the connectors are badly corroded.
The boat sank in a mooring so the cabin filled 3/4 way up with water. The amp was at a particularly low point of the boat so it was completely submerged.

Cheers,

Pete

I like Sony and would have to agree with Craig. I am not finding that I need an extra amp for outside speakers. It just depends on how loud you like it and the replacement speakers. Some speaker need more power than others! I did replace my Clarion speakers with the same size Kickers. I had to inlarge the hole by 1/4", but the mounting holes were that same. If you did go bigger, it really would not matter. Because you would be coving the old holes, of course you just need to make sure that they will fit. Also, make sure you have the room behind it, the Kickers were deeper.

My main feature, for me is a USB port. I use a thumb drive to hold my music. But it also charges my phone and you can use it for an ipod.

check out the install that I did on my SL242. http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=6961

uses multiple remotes and the alpine system allows for dual zones so one area can crank it up without blowing the ears off of the other zone.

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LuvmySL242
"Zoey Too"
2010 SL242

one of the clever things that Four Winns did on my boat was to install two seperate sound systems. They are both Sony units, but one is set up for inside use and one for outside. The inside system runs off the internal amp, the outside unit has a seperate power amp.

We like the setup because, she can sit below with soft music and a book, while I and some friends can put on the classic rock and swim. Plus at night at the marina, we can go below and listen to music without any worry that our music is playing outside and bothering out neighbors.

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2008 V358 Two-tone Blue V/P Dual Prop 320 HP
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

Remember too, you have a bigger boat than most of us.

Considering the thread was started for a 378, it's entirely appropriate. Let's not get into size arguments, Ok?

I could see a couple of scenarios where separate sound zones would be useful. Like kids below watching a movie or playing a video game through the sound system. But then I'd be more inclined to make 'em 'tough it out' just using the speakers on the TV itself. I don't see myself setting up a 2nd head unit like that, but it's a nice option to have available.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Come on Paulie, this was started by a guy with a bigger boat than me.

But I think this could makes sense in any cabin boat, otherwise how do you balance the volume inside versus outside?

Besides headunits are cheap, every time I go to Revere to visit the family, they always has some cheap electronics that fell off the truck.

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2008 V358 Two-tone Blue V/P Dual Prop 320 HP
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

You use the fader control and an amp. This is how most boats do it. Down in the cabin the speakers are driven off the 'front' part of the radio's speaker outputs. The outside is driven using the 'rear' line-level outputs from the radio and then out to an amplifier. So when you want more sound in one area over the other you just fade the level as desired. Works nicely, provided you're interested in listening to only one source at a time. I think it's a bit much, but it's nice to at least have the option to do it.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Are the remotes already installed? If so, you may want to onsider staying with the same brand to hopefully re-use them (the remotes are brand-specific). There are some recent threads around this.

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe