Association Forum - Best speaker location?

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Best speaker location?

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

cwstrang
1st Mate

Member Avatar

USA
78 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/21/2010 : 09:38:08

I purchased a pair of water proof 6" round speakers that are 4" deep, I am looking for some suggestions for the best location. I am open to any locations actually either indoor or outdoor just not sure where I have at least 4" of depth.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

Members Avatar

USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2010 : 16:10:16

My speakers are mounted in the cubbyholes in the cockpit. I have snaps along the sides and a sunbrella cover when I leave the boat. You can barely see one of the speaker grills in the pic below next to my dogs back leg. I also have 2 speakers mounted inside but anywhere is a personal preference. You can do a search from above and get other ideas as well.
Steve A

Edited by - on

cwstrang
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
78 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2010 : 21:05:29

Steve: Thanks for the tip, looks like a great location with great seperation for improved sound.

Edited by - on

ruachwrights
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
258 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2010 : 08:33:50

I have mine mounted to the underside of the stern rail seats.

Vern

Edited by - on

Loren H.
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
45 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2010 : 11:45:51

cwstrang,

I took the advice of others and mounted self enclosed speakers under my stern rail seats. I wanted the separation you mentioned but didn't want to cut any holes in my new (to me) 250. Also, I think mounting the speakers in the coaming ("cubbyholes") compartments takes up valuable storage space and could be blocked by people/cushions when sailing.

My C25 cockpit speakers were mounted in the bulkheads and were often blocked by crew and I hated the intrusion into the cabin on the reverse side.

The hard(est) part of the install was concealing the wiring. Sounded like most of the folks who had installed their speakers under the seats had the same problem and had just run the wiring outside the railings. There was no way I was going to have exposed wiring so I figured out a way to run the wires inside the railing tubing.

I accessed the "under" side of the railings by removing the bulkhead behind the aft berth. I drilled into the bottom of the rails where they mount to the hull and snaked wires up to the speakers by drilling a small hole in the railing next to the speaker location. I used rubber grommets to protect the wires from chafing where they touched the tubing.

I'm very happy with the final result! I've attached pictures showing a few key parts of the install.

I'm located locally to you (boat is at Tomahawk Marina on Hayden Island) and would be glad to show you if you'd like.

[http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0dd23b3127ccef9d175649ba700000030O10IYuW7VoxZMwe3nwk/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D1/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/]

[http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0dd23b3127ccef9d0df363adc00000030O00IYuW7VoxZMwe3nwk/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/]

[http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0dd23b3127ccef9d175e71a1400000030O00IYuW7VoxZMwe3nwk/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/]

Edited by - on

cwstrang
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
78 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2010 : 13:10:57

Loren:
Thanks for the photos very helpful.

Craig

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2010 : 14:23:12

I've thought about this a number of times and never came up with a good solution. I like the idea of the under-catbird-seat speakers, but that would mean I'd need to actually install a stereo, instead of using a boombox like now.

My new plan is to mount a Bluetooth wireless speaker under the hatch. [url="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N3T7O/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00317M21O&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1BSQC3AX661V6KB91SBH"]Altec Lansing[/url] makes a 1" thick speaker that I think will be completely out of the way when folded up, and I'll be able to angle it into the cockpit, or cabin as necessary. It can be controlled by either of our phones, as well as used as a phone speaker (hopefully this never happens, but you never know). It runs on six AA batteries and with rechargables, I can recharge them on the boat. It'll also run off of AC so I suppose I could just use the little inverter I've got to run it. I'll have to build some sort of bracket to fix it to the cabin slider, but I think I can mount it onto the teak rail on arms so it can be raised & lowered, and aimed in either direction.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2010 : 21:04:12

Here are Loren's photos. Excellent work Loren!

Edited by - Nautiduck on 03/02/2010 21:05:59

Loren H.
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
45 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2010 : 10:42:40

Thanks Randy.

It was a trying project but once I finished the first one the second was a breeze! The hardest part was drilling into the bottom of the rail where it attached to the hull (first photo). The bottom of the rail is sealed (welded) with a plate that has the bolt attached to it. Getting through this plate was tough (new drill bit recommended) but possible. Lying on your back, drilling upwards into stainless steel, is not my idea of a good time.

BTW-Go Ducks! Season ticket holder, Section 35. Class of '90.

The only good thing about the end of sailing season is the beginning of College Football season!

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2010 : 13:44:31

Section 14! We'll have to connect this fall at a game while the Ducks march to the National Championship!!

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.