Stereo's in boats... including my H240

jjker · **Posted:** Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:50 pm

I was afraid you were going to say that. Why would they put 5.25 in one boat and 6.5 in another?!?!?

Walt is right: They're all junk.

Txjole2 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:57 pm

Mine as of today. I'm thinking about switching all mids to Wetsounds.

Cincy Aquaholic · **Joined:** Thu May 18, 2006 8:57 am **Posts:** 471

Have you got started yet? I'm pulling my boat out of storage this saturday and am going to evaluate the potential for adding these 7.7's before I order them. If its too much cutting i will simply go with different 6.5.

cougarcruiser · **Posted:** Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:00 pm

Saturday seems to be the day for me... I've got a laundry list of stuff to do with the boat - stereo being one of them... I will be ripping off the shrink wrap... putting the arch back up - and evaluating the aftermath of having a boat shipped across country and then stored for 4 months.

To Do List:

-- Put arch back up (easy, 2 bolts)
-- Stereo (of course) -- speakers, amp, sub, rewire everything... without breaking anything
-- ProMariner dual bank battery charger
-- Registration numbers
-- Still need to mount a fire extinguisher
-- other random odds & ends...

I also need to start going through the "systems" -- the head, sink, water system, transoms shower, lights, etc - to make sure everything is in good shape...

Sunday is hopefully clean up (wash) day... no wax this time of year - it's still a little too cold.

I'm hoping the weather will warm up a bit as I'd like to even put the boat in the lake next weekend for it's inaugural launch! It's spring in Seattle (but that means rain - plenty of it)

Blessed · **Posted:** Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:33 pm

Ohhhhh, Im so stoked. I cant wait to see how this is going to play out for you - you have the goodies I want to get (my sales consultant suggested I could do better aftermarket) so I passed on the factory upgrade but I don't want to go hard-core either. Lots of pics please . . . webcam possible? Ahh second thought thats kinda creepy . . . but lots of pics? Envious on the boat and new kit :mrgreen:

Did you get your speakers, amp and sub online?

BrentC5Z · **Posted:** Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:32 pm

Not blowing my own horn here, but thought I could help blessed out with some appetizer photos.
My Sub/Amp install

Blessed · **Posted:** Thu Mar 27, 2008 5:17 pm

Oh yeah Brent. Dont think for a second I didn't see that thread - I am taking notes and saving images. Smooth cut for the sub, even loom wrapping the wiring - meticulate work. Seems like the most logical place for the sub considering the options.
Awfull nice kit. Paradise (I think - Black 220?) did some sweet "tuner" work that I can also envy but you guys are taking it farther than I am willing to go. I am familiar with JL, Pioneer and Alpine and have had good luck with them in the past. I want a set it & forget it arrangement I don't know enough about the level of kit Mastercraft/Malibu camp is playing with and I assumed that if I could keep it simple (same manufacturer for the sub/amp/non component speakers) with the Sony head unit that I would have an affordable install that I could handle. I'v said it before - that yellow SS is awesome. I very much like the remote for the sub as well.

cougarcruiser · **Posted:** Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:31 pm

Ok... so it has been snowing in Seattle for the past few days... it's wetter than heck, but I wasn't going to let that stop me.

I have been storing my boat out at my parents house... they have 5 acres and a 3000 sq foot barn for all the toys. Since the motorhome is out of the stall, I figured I'd slide the boat in for the weekend to get the projects done.

Pulling my boat around across a pasture was a BAD idea... of all days... My Yukon is no slouch, by my pretty wheels are not meant for mudding, so I had to wait until my pops rolled in to save my ass. What had hoped to be a 3pm start time in the barn quickly turned to 5pm.

But... the boat is in a warm, covered environment... shrink wrap is off... i am still pulling out stuff from the boat so I can get all the projects done...

Tonight was "let's do the cut outs for the new speakers". Holy crap - even with air tools (air drill w/ a milling bit works wonders) - I can't say I'd recommend it.

So... I got the speaker openings enlarged in all 4 corners... Below are some pics. Simple, couple step process. 1) Remove old speaker. 2) Realize they are a pile of junk 3) use JL Audio template and get placement correct. Use sharpie for opening. 4) Cover areas with blue tape to protect fiberglass from tools. 5) Take air drill with a milling bit on it and get to business. Clean edges and a good install are a must. 6) Check mounting.

I did not get any wires run... did not get the hole cut out for the sub... All I got done was Massaging the existing openings to work with the 7.7 JLs. Verdict --- HOLY JESUS these are big and going to rock. Plus, just being white they look great...

How'd they fit... Good news -- the fronts fit awesome! The back one on the sink side barley squeaks the fit between the grab handle and the table mount. The Bad news... These JLs are a little deep and on the cooler side, they are just a bit too deep. The Top of the cooler opening is form fit for the cooler and the speaker presses against the liner a bit. Not a huge deal - but man what I would love for an extra inch.

Aside from the sub, getting the holes opened up was my 2nd nightmare. At least I can sleep good at night.

I did try using a jigsaw at one point - no love... They key to success here is a milling bit with either a high speed drill or a rotozip or something.

Tomorrow -- clean up the current mess and finish the opening for the sub... Then it's all about running new wires...

Oh - and the plywood "rings" are useless in this mod... I pretty much cut them out when enlarging the holes.

To anyone thinking of doing this... staying with a 6.5inch is a super easy swap... going to a 7.7 is really a couple beer adventure. Be patient... take your time... and tape off any areas that could get damaged.

Jim_R · **Posted:** Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:37 am

Maybe use a 1/2 spacer ring, out of I dunno plywood?, where the depth is too tight for the one or two back speakers. Any gap behind the speaker covers would likely not be noticeable. Lookin' good!

Cincy Aquaholic · **Joined:** Thu May 18, 2006 8:57 am **Posts:** 471

Fantastic start! Keep the pics coming. If you get a chance post the one where the cooler cut-out touches the speaker. Are you going to add replace support rings to the rears? Did the fronts have anything like that?

I really think I want to go with the 7.7's too. I'm going over to my JL dealer today now that I see that they fit in there.

cougarcruiser · **Posted:** Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:43 am

I could use a spacer ring - but then it'd be visible to the people in the boat. I'll snap a picture of where it's a little deep.

Bottom line --- the cooler is still very usable, it just isn't a "perfect fit". Honestly, I'm probably about the only person who will ever notice this.

More pics today guys... should hopefully have it wrapped up this afternoon!

I'm also eyeing where I might be able to add 2 more coaxials.... there are a couple ideas spinning in my head. Next offseason I may add 2 more coaxials and fiberglass in some custom boxes and put some shallow JL real deal subs in with a good 500 watt mono amp.... the ideas are running!

cougarcruiser · **Posted:** Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:48 am

I should note that the stock speakers are not built well at all. In fact, I was wong about which speakers I thought they were... they are the 1610's rather than the 1620's(step down).

I hope the premium audio package has better speakers - because if you pay that much for an option, I would expect more.

This picture doesn't give a comparison justice. The difference is really night and day. I'm super excited to hear these JL's

Cincy Aquaholic · **Joined:** Thu May 18, 2006 8:57 am **Posts:** 471

Cool! The upgraded ones are clarion 6.5. Not sure how much better those even are. I think they are serviceable but for the audiophiles and party boats, not so much. I blew one up. I'll start a new thread when I get going to track my progress.
As far as adding 2 more, I gave some though to the location just behind the passenger and helm seats. there is an area where the sink faces forward some and likewise on the port side. But I'm thinking with 4 7.7's you're going to have plenty of volume. Can't wait to find out!

BrentC5Z · **Posted:** Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:36 am

Wow, based on the new evidence (speaker models) you're really in for an upgrade. It will sound twice as good from those dinky cheapos.

Cincy Aquaholic · **Joined:** Thu May 18, 2006 8:57 am **Posts:** 471

I meant to ask, have you found out whether the sub will have enough clearance to not need a spacer?

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Stereo's in boats... including my H240

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