What's in your boat?

Green '01

I'm sure some of you guys have boats, and in this forum it's safe to assume those boats aren't sporting factory audio systems. I'm planning a small replacement system (four polk db651, a db1040, or db1240 sub, and a PA D5000.5 amp for a pontoon boat but haven't purchased anything yet, so I don't have any pics.
How about sharing what you have done for tunes on the water?

F1nut

A nice waterproof Clarion head unit and a pair of Polk Atriums. It rarely get used because I'm out on the water to get away from the day to day BS, the wind and waves are all the music I want to hear.

Be respectful of those around you on the water, sound travels quite freely.

Green '01

F1nut wrote: »

Be respectful of those around you on the water, sound travels quite freely.

I agree with you.
I am always thoughtful of those around me, knowing how sound can travel. It's the main reason I was leaning toward the 10" sub until a Polk rep responded to my e-mail suggesting the 12" db1240. I may still go with the smaller of the two.
We either go to a secluded cove or join friends and family at a sand bar where the music is appreciated - but still at a reasonable and respectful volume. I'm looking for quality sound, not a concert experience.

F1nut

Good man.

jacks2start

cool, but i dont have a boat sadly.

Easy Runnin

Make sure you do a good amp calculation on all your electronics. Will your alternator(s) and batteries be able handle the load?

Green '01

Easy Runnin wrote: »

Make sure you do a good amp calculation on all your electronics. Will your alternator(s) and batteries be able handle the load?

Good point, thanks. I intend to have a dedicated battery that will prevent me from having to try using a pull-cord to crank that 225HP outboard to get back in off of the lake. Don't know about the alternator's capability yet.

Easy Runnin

What engin do you have?

Green '01

Easy Runnin wrote: »

What engin do you have?

It's an '06 Honda 225 4-stroke. It originally had only one battery, but I'm wanting to add a 2nd that can be charged along with the 1st one when the engine is running, but use a disconnect switch when anchored so stereo doesn't drain my starting battery.

Easy Runnin

I'm not too familiar with the Hondas, I think it's a 60 Amp alternator. The bigger Yamahas can charge 2 batteries from one engine. If your honda cant do that look into a Blue Sea Systems Automatic charging relay. This will combine batteries when charging and isolate them when discharging.

Green '01

Easy Runnin wrote: »

I'm not too familiar with the Hondas, I think it's a 60 Amp alternator. The bigger Yamahas can charge 2 batteries from one engine. If your honda cant do that look into a Blue Sea Systems Automatic charging relay. This will combine batteries when charging and isolate them when discharging.

Perfect! That is what I was wanting to do, but thought I'd have to resort to a manual disconnect and remember to actually USE it.
I'll look into it, thanks.
Pretty sure the bigger outboard should charge both, since manufacturers would have to consider larger outboards (90hp & up) find their way to fishing boats with dual batteries for starting / trolling, live wells, fish finders, etc.

Green '01

Update:
Ran the tinned 16 ga. Speaker wire, installed the 4 Polk db651 speakers, put 6 coats of poly urethane on inside and outside of bare sealed box for the db1040 sub and mounted it on 2” tall pvc caps to keep it off the floor, in the enclosure under the console. Wire them up to a Polk PA D5000.5, connected to a Kenwood KMR-D358 (chosen for iPod, iPhone compatibility, and USB and aux inputs on front, as well as having 6 pre amp outputs at 2.5 volts).
After tweeking the amp, the overall performance was impressive. We enjoyed it the first 4 times out on the lake, but on the fifth trip, got caught in a rain storm. Everything is marine-grade and the head unit is mounted in a weather resistant compartment with cover but apparently some “moisture” made its way in because now, the receiver seems to be stuck in “demo mode”. Checked to make sure it wasn’t set to “demo mode”, removed face plate to check the reset button, verified 12.6 VDC on red wire at head unit, but still no sound and it no longer turns on the amp via trigger wire.
Dropped it off for warranty repair at authorized service center.

Have any of you guys experienced problems with Kenwood mobile receivers?
I doubt that I can come up with a “weather PROOF” enclosure.

Easy Runnin

This might be a better option:

http://www.polyplanar.com/product/wc400-stereo-weather-enclosure

Green '01

Thanks. This is like the in-dash cover I have now:

Will look into the one you suggested.

pjd2011

"Old faithful" Clarion waterproof head unit feeding 4 Alpine SPS-600's on a 19ft pontoon. May not be the best out there but after a few beers in the sun it does just fine