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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Stereo Install

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szymek
Navigator

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Canada
209 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/17/2013 : 20:05:59

Just sharing couple pics of my small project from the summer. I didn't want to drill too many holes in the boat for the speakers - So based on idea I got on this forum I built couple speaker boxes that are mounted on port and starboard.

(click on the pic to see couple other pics in the album)
[url="https://www.catalina-capri-25s.net/cgi-local/MBR_gallery.cgi?Album+2321+82"]

[/url]

It's "Sony - 52W x 4 Satellite Radio-Ready Marine In-Dash CD Deck with Two 6-1/2" Speakers" I'm very satisfied with the install and the sound quality!

Daniel
Shy Tuna
1985 C-25: SR/FK/TR #4838

Edited by - szymek on 01/17/2013 20:07:15

binky
Navigator

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USA
115 Posts

Response Posted - 01/17/2013 : 22:42:47

I like the idea of the speaker boxes. Stereo install is planned for this year but I was planning on hanging manufactured speaker boxes.....think I might go this route.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2013 : 20:20:31

That's the same radio I've got except mine is silver. I replaced the old one a little over a year ago and this one has great sound.

Did yours come with the remote? I've found I can operate the radio from the cockpit as long as I point it directly at the radio.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2013 : 19:28:40

I built similar speakers I had some scrap mahogany and whipped em up. I placed both speakers on the starboard side so the balance would be correct for somebody sitting in the cabin. I mounted the radio under the deck-hull fitting in front of the starboard bulkhead. In that location I can shoot the remote from the cockpit and change the channel or select a different MP3.
The only problem with the radio is that the idle current is 1Amp. That increases once you turn up the volume. Listening for 10 hours will use about 1/4 of your battery capacity for a single group 24.

Edited by - Voyager on 01/24/2013 19:30:58

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2013 : 05:46:35

<< Listening for 10 hours will use about 1/4 of your battery capacity for a single group 24. >>

I've often wondered what the draw was... Looking at the 40watt listing on the speakers always worried me. Always wanted to make a redundant solar charger and battery just for the radio.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2013 : 07:45:04

What are you using for an antenna for the radio? My stereo system was installed by a previous owner, but he didn't connect an antenna, so I guess he only used it for recorded music. I'd like to have an antenna that works for both am and fm, but I definitely don't want an antenna on the coach roof.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2013 : 10:12:37

<>

I keep looking at a 3 ft whip for the aft rail, shakespeare from west marine. Very early design stages for me right now. The Iphone to a battery operated speaker is working quite well, but I've wanted to setup a good stereo one day.

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2013 : 12:16:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 I placed both speakers on the starboard side so the balance would be correct for somebody sitting in the cabin. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I agree. Almost universally folks install the speakers in the bulkhead. No matter where you sit, the balance is off. By putting the speakers fore and aft along one side, the balance works better, although on a C25 it's pretty much the same challenge, but on larger boats it makes a big difference. Before you cut holes in your bulkhead, consider optional locations and separate speaker boxes. We bought small packaged speakers from Radio Shack and supplemented them with a small powered subwoofer. On a reasonable power setting the whole rig runs 1.0 to 1.2 amps.

There have been a spate of "How much power does my stereo draw" questions on various boards over the past week or so. Must be a winter project! The answer, for any car stereo rig, is 1.0 to 1.5A for your energy budget.

We use an inexpensive wire antenna that plugs into the back of the radio. We're in a high volume good reception area. If you are, you need nothing more. These antennas are for FM anyway, the AM antenna is inside the radio. If you're in a remote reception area, then you have to consider external antennas. Or: forget the radio, and use CDs, iPods, or arrgh: cassette tapes!!! (I do...:))

Edited by - Stu Jackson C34 on 01/25/2013 16:05:10

blanik
Navigator

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Canada
210 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2013 : 18:21:19

i love music but don't want to listen to radio pn the boat so i just installed this Logitech iPod speaker dock on the port shelf, works like a charm and sounds good enough for sailing (i don't like loud music while boating but it can play loud if need be), it's 12v so i made a connector to plug it on the boat's batteries and it recharges quickly... it also has a remote! :-D

Edited by - on

AMcKenna
Deckhand

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USA
6 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2013 : 23:20:15

Great Idea on the stereo boxes. I'm getting ready to install my stereo this spring. Thanks for the great idea.
Someone asked about an antenna. I purchased a Universal Marine tape antenna off ebay for $21, free shipping. Its a flat tape that can be mount on any surface inside or outside the cabin. I haven't used it but its got good reviews. I can only hope.

Edited by - on

szymek
Navigator

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Canada
209 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2013 : 07:31:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 

Did yours come with the remote? I've found I can operate the radio from the cockpit as long as I point it directly at the radio.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes it did come with remote... from cockpit i just put my hand through the companionway and it works no issues. I should try to point it at the radio while at the helm.

Edited by - szymek on 01/26/2013 07:31:52

szymek
Navigator

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Canada
209 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2013 : 07:36:48

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 What are you using for an antenna for the radio? My stereo system was installed by a previous owner, but he didn't connect an antenna, so I guess he only used it for recorded music. I'd like to have an antenna that works for both am and fm, but I definitely don't want an antenna on the coach roof.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I just bought the standard universal rubber antenna which is 14" (if i recall correctly). I planned on mounting it at the pushpit, but since I installed the radio closer to end of season, i just put it in the dumpster (on the shelf), and all main FM stations work perfectly fine. I haven't tried AM yet.

Edited by - on

szymek
Navigator

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Canada
209 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2013 : 07:43:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stu Jackson C34
 

I agree. Almost universally folks install the speakers in the bulkhead. No matter where you sit, the balance is off. By putting the speakers fore and aft along one side, the balance works better, although on a C25 it's pretty much the same challenge, but on larger boats it makes a big difference. Before you cut holes in your bulkhead, consider optional locations and separate speaker boxes.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Few people recommended to put the speakers in the bulkhead or under settee. I know I wouldn't be cutting any holes in bulkhead, but i did consider settee. On port side there's a holding tank and lots of clearance - not an issue, On starboard side there is a water tank and no clearance - so.. no go! I saw on this forum someone built similar boxes, and i loved the idea. So I built my own. I'm not a big music buff, but I am very satisfied with the quality of sound.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2013 : 20:26:00

So I found my photos of my radio installation and one of the speakers.

Here's a closeup of the radio itself

I made the enclosure out of scrap mahogany that I glued and screwed together.

The radio plus one of the speakers. The other one is at the other end.

I also put 4-way plug on the rear stereo pair. I use that for a pair of portable Sony speakers placed in the cockpit.

If your radio has a pair of screw terminals for the FM antenna, you can attach two 30" pieces of wire to the connection.

If instead you have a coaxial connector in the rear of the radio, you can get a piece of 16 gauge lamp cord, trim back one end and shove it into the center conductor hole, and attach the other end to your chainplate (allowing you to use the shroud and mast as an antenna). If you look closely, you'll see a thick black wire leading to the bottom of the chainplate.

Before I had this radio set up, I had an XM Radio boombox on board. The trouble with a freestanding unit was that in wakes or choppy conditions, the boombox would slide off the table and smash onto the floor.

I got some rug under-padding to keep things from sliding around, but there were still times it went flying around the cabin.

I really prefer a fixed mount.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2013 : 23:38:21

I made the enclosure out of scrap mahogany that I glued and screwed together.

The radio plus one of the speakers. The other one is at the other end.

Edited by - on

szymek
Navigator

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Canada
209 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2013 : 07:49:54

Voyager: I got the box idea from you - I found it in another thread. :-)

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 02/01/2013 : 21:42:38

I attached the enclosure using four wood screws (two near the front, two near the back) that I angled in so the screwdriver would fit. I held the box in place using double-sided tape, and drilled a guide-hole with a countersink to set the screw head into the wood. Been there for a few years, so it must be secure.

Edited by - on

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