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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Stereo Install

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Carl Harden
Deckhand

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4 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/28/2006 : 05:49:31

I would like to get some ideas as to where to

best intall an AM/FM CD stereo unit, in my c-25.

Thanks

Carl Harden

Edited by - on

southern cross
Navigator

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USA
123 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2006 : 08:16:53

I have a fixed keel , so the area in the quarter berth underneath the stairs in from the companionway is open. I have my cd player underneath the first step in and my VHF underneath the second. This works pretty well. I have thought of putting a wired remote for the head unit mounted on the bulkhead on this boat or my next,

Pura Vida,
Zach

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2006 : 08:54:21

I have the swing keel and at the present time, the am/fm/cd is "Duct taped" (no kidding) to the overhead next to the ladder. I do not know what the PO was thinking but there it is. I will most likely leave it there (screwed of course) as I can not find a better place for it. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2006 : 12:26:23

In my 82 I used the expensive Polyplanar pod and this location over the stove area. I often put a cooler in the stove area and the radio compromised that a little but not much.

In my 89 I am using the cheaper Polyplanar pod and have putit over the port settee. It occasionally catches the back of someone's head but not often and never for long.

Both of these location allowed very easy wire runs and I wanted the ability to mount my iPod close buy which I have put at the end of the cabinet on both boats.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2006 : 13:25:45

My FM radio is installed wher Frank put his stereo. I plan on installing a stereo under the FM this summer.

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2006 : 22:59:02

My stereo is in a Polyplanar pod like Frank Hopper's, but on the Starboard side aft, mounted to the overhead. This location lets me reach the controls from the cockpit, it allowed for easy wiring to the existing 12 volt power supply, and it is not in the way or banging into anyone's head or back who is sitting on the settee or trying to get in our out of the Q-berth. Actually, the Catalina 25 (and the Catalina 22) suffers a little from a lack of anywhere really good to mount a stereo. Mine is mounted where it is for lack of any better alternative; I don't really like the location, as the stereo is kind of just hanging there as if it was an afterthought hastily stuck there with duck tape. Some C-25 owners install stereos under the companionway, but this exposes them to the ever-present dampness of the bilge space (not good for electronics), or in a cut-out in the main bulkhead. I don't like to cut big holes in a primary structural element like the main bulkhead, plus you obviously can't reach the stereo from the cockpit if it's there. A small stereo might fit in a cutout under the galley sink or stove. Bruce Ebling's "Selah" had the stereo under the sink. A stereo could also be mounted under one of the settees, except in locations already occupied by water, sewage, or fuel tanks. Of course the biggest problem with low-to-the-floor mounting is seeing the display. I think it would get tiresome after a while to keep getting down on hands and knees to see what station you are tuning too, or to load a CD.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2006 : 02:06:38

Hey Larry, where ya been? It seems like you have not posted for a while.

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2006 : 08:44:35

I was thinking about installing mine either in the bulkhead above the ice box/sink area or right below the sink/above the drawers. One concern I have which Larry mentioned is the possible moisture in those locations. I've seen several people install them there. Has anyone had problems with those locations?

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1769 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2006 : 10:40:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Justin4192
 I was thinking about installing mine either in the bulkhead above the ice box/sink area or right below the sink/above the drawers. One concern I have which Larry mentioned is the possible moisture in those locations. I've seen several people install them there. Has anyone had problems with those locations?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Hi Justin,

I installed my stereo in the galley bulkhead, and I've had no problems with moisture in that location ... although it isn't very convenient if you want to get to it quickly. I also installed a 10-CD tower under the floor of the cockpit, just behind the steps ... 'no problem with moisture there either.

I dug for some photos, and the following two are the best I could come up with ... 'sorry they don't show the stereo components any better. In this first one you can just make out the white stereo behind the pump faucet. That big black thing you see in the top center of the photo is the back of the Bose speaker that faces out to the cockpit through the bulkhead:

This is a cluttered shot, but look directly behind the fire extinguisher and you'll be able to see the CD tower ... you can't see it in this photo, but the starboard speaker is just above the small chart rack:

'Hope that helps ... good luck with your installation!

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2006 : 11:10:50

Hi Buzz, I like the hatch back there. It really lightens it up. Where did you get the hatch from? and how dificult was it to install? and does it leak? Cheers.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2006 : 11:12:01

Defender carries thes AFI pedestal steering universal brackets.
This is the listing on the clearance page.
C650260
AFI STEERING PEDESTAL BRACKET
62665 13-1/2
$8.94

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 03/01/2006 11:16:41

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1769 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2006 : 11:19:39

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by djn
 Hi Buzz, I like the hatch back there. It really lightens it up. Where did you get the hatch from? and how dificult was it to install? and does it leak? Cheers.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Hi Dennis,

I bought that portlight on eBay ... 'don't remember what I paid for it ... 'sorry. It was a really tight fit, but I got it to work.

This subject has come up before ... here is a link to a thread about installing a portlight in the quarterberth: [url="http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=7061&SearchTerms=portlight"]Quarterberth portlight[/url]

'Hope the link has the info you're looking for ... I didn't want to divert this thread away from the stereo discussion.

Edited by - on

southern cross
Navigator

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USA
123 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2006 : 12:52:31

I like were Buzz installed his radio if you have a swing keel (very clean install)
Again, if you have a fixed keel definatley give the area underneath the first step into the cabin from the companionway a look. It is up high enough to see and reach while in the cabin, doesn't take up any space around a settee and if you buy a head unit that accomodates a wired remote control with a display (sony has one that is 199.00 I think) you can wire that to the cockpit for radio control in that location as well. The Sony wired remote is weatherproof and has a display read-out to let you know what radio preset you are on or CD track info. Very cool thing.

Pura Vida,
Zach

Edited by - southern cross on 03/02/2006 12:53:40

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