Cockpit Speakers?

[David M]

I have two Bose exterior box speakers on my afterdeck. They have been hosed down many many times. I am also aware that sound travels very efficiently across the water, especially when the air is still.

[TrevC]

Pipe music would be great for scaring away jet-skis, preferably from some sort of pivoting audio weapon that can be aimed with a remote.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by TrevC

Pipe music would be great for scaring away jet-skis, preferably from some sort of pivoting audio weapon that can be aimed with a remote.

I feel the need to qualify my earlier objection to extra holes in boats. People who amplify pipe music should drill as many holes in their boats as possible.

Big holes.

[David M]

Originally Posted by TrevC

Pipe music would be great for scaring away jet-skis, preferably from some sort of pivoting audio weapon that can be aimed with a remote.

I doubt they are going to hear pipe music over the gangsta rap music coming in through their ear buds.

[hugosalt]

I mounted so called waterproof speakers that rotate on brackets to railings, when I leave the boat I rotate them to point down...protecting from sun and water...going on 4 years now.
Thought about installing access panels in coaming and then
speakers inside...did'nt like the idea of holes, even with covers,
some may want to refine idea for use with better $$ speakers.
As an aside...did install hard wired remote for stereo at helm,
great feature.
Don't like idea of earphones on boat...hearing whats going on around you to important.

[kevingy]

From personal experience, whatever method you choose, once installed, do not pressure wash your speakers/speaker covers... or you will be installing replacement speakers.

I was trying to hurry so I could take the boat out that afternoon. My haste cost me. I didn't even realize the speakers were there until pieces of the cover came flying off.

[ka4wja]

Originally Posted by kb79

We've been talking about cockpit speakers, but I'm a little hesitant to route out two 6" holes in the cockpit.
Thoughts?

kb79,

I've found these box speakers (bought on a 50% off sale at West Marine 5+ years ago), to be sound surprisingly good!!!!
They've been through 10,000+ ocean miles (including 2 Atlantic crossings) and still work great.....
They are bracketed to my dodger rails with those white rail clamps (mentioned by another poster), and are rigid and strong.....

Even though they were marketed as "magnetic sheilded" / "compass safe", I have them mounted about 9' from my compass, and I have no worries....

I have the wires going thru 2 waterproff deck gland / wire feed-thrus, and they've been through even more than the speakers themselves, including 3 direct hits with Cat 3 Hurricanes.....and no leaks at all!!!

Have a look here...
4711201

Happy tunes!

John

[bstreep]

Originally Posted by David M

I have two Bose exterior box speakers on my afterdeck. They have been hosed down many many times. I am also aware that sound travels very efficiently across the water, especially when the air is still.

We have these as well - but the front grill seems to need regular painting. Like once a year now. I'm thinking of painting them with Perfection.

[svHyLyte]

Why not use simple battery powered wireless speakers? THey can be had for as little as $26.00 USD a set and frankly they sound pretty decent.

FWIW...

[Ziggy]

I like surface mounted box speakers too, as I hate to drill any holes in my boat, let alone 6" ones. But if you insist on flush mounting your speakers (or your boat came with a pair of 6" holes already cut), install the speaker on the inside, and on the outside install a removable deck plate like one of these:

from Beckson, ABI, or Perko. This idea comes from Bill Seifert's excellent book on offshore sailing.

[Marksman]

I have pretty good sound in the main saloon, so I just turn it up to cockpit level and have no new holes in the boat. With the engine running I just sing, and everyone stays far away .......