www.iFourWinns.com

Hey everyone,

new to the board, wanted to throw a few things out to the experts and get some feedback

I have a '05 205 sundowner. Unfortunately, the local FW dealer here is awful.. so I don't go to them for any kind of guidance unless I have to.

First and foremost, looking to install a dual battery setup.. can someone give me a break down of all the parts I need to purchase? Obviously a 2nd battery, some sort of switch... I currently have a single battery storage box in the rear starboard transom area... so I am assuming I would have to make some sort of change to that setup.

2nd, the stock speakers (clarion) sound awful. Can someone make a reccomendation on a quality upgrade for marine speakers? Cant find much thru crutchfield or big box places.. amp or no amp? And for those familiar with the boat, where would you suggest placing the amp?

Lastly, looking to add a quality GPS system.. dont have much need for a fish finder as I am more of a day trip kind of guy.. can anyone suggest a quality product that's affordable? Not really looking to drop $1000 on a GPS if I dont have to.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice

Cruthfield has about 40 different sets of marine speakers that fit our factory location!

Just do a search for "marine speakers"

These are not the most expensive, but seem to be the most "loved". I have Sony speakers in my boat right now and they're not bad, but.... kinda old and worn out (not quite blown yet though)
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500SPSM600/Alpine-SPS-M600.html?search=marine+speaker&tp=3384&nvpair=FFCategory|%5brank216950%5dMarine+Speakers&nvpair=FFCustomer_Rating|%5brank1%5d5+stars%5bimg%5d&tab=review

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Popular choice for FW boaters and value for money on speakers are the Polk DB651 (NOT the DB651S). They're so good I put 4 in my car as well! Check the price on Amazon - often they come on sale for around $55 or so a pair.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB651/Polk-Audio-db651.html?search=polk+db651

When comparing speakers, check out the frequency response in the specs. If you like a bit of bass, then you want something that will go down to 35hz or lower. They show in the spec sheet a frequency respons of 60 - 22k Hz for example for the Alpine speakers Ric recommends. IMHO, they will have a pretty poor bass response. Most of the cheaper 6.5" speakers seem to bottom out at around 60hz mark.

As a comparison, the Polk DB651 runs 35 - 22k Hz. The lower the bottom frequency, the better the bass will sound.

So my recommendation is to hunt around for a marine grade speaker that gets down to 35hz or lower.

Hope this helps...

_________________


Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

For the dual batt system (one of the best mods I did to this boat), you need a switch (it will have OFF, 1,2, and BOTH or 1+2), a battery mount or box, and the extra wiring you need to make all the connections. On the switch, there will be a batt 1 terminal, a batt 2 terminal and a common terminal. The positive cable from each batt goes to the corresponding terminal, and the common terminal gets the cable that goes to the starter. Each batt should be grounded separately to engine ground studs on the bell housing.
The cable you use is important, do not use cheap non tinned automotive cable. I used 2 gauge for the shorter runs but the second batt is on the other side of the engine compartment to balance the load (marine gp 27 batts are around 50 lbs). The positive cable run from batt #2 to the switch was about 9 feet so I up sized the cable to 1/0 which is a lot thicker wire. I just alternate use of the batts and it's worked fine, no dead batts. But, keep in mind that you should not use 'ALL' or 1+2 unless you need to parallel the batteries to start the boat. If you leave it on All, a weak batt can pull juice out of a good batt. So if you need to use All, when you get to where you are going, if you need to leave the switch on, then switch it to either 1 or 2.
You can also use a battery combiner and then you don't have to switch back and forth, but this simple system works fine for me....I use Deka gp 27 dual purpose batts and the work very well and hold a charge well too...

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Here is a thread regrading the second battery. My install pic is on page two. Lou covered the parts.

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=5138&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=15

_________________
2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4