| Anyone that knows their way around cars and boats | | | | then put any and all of your mid-range and mid-bass |
| can go to an electronics store, buy a stereo and some | | | | speakers and tweeters in there. |
| speakers and install them up on a boat, right? Making | | | | - Draw a schematic of the system layout. Think about |
| that install last is a whole other question. Finding the | | | | where you will be putting all of the audio components |
| right stereo system for the harsh environment of a | | | | and where you will route the wires. |
| boat is no easy task. Now you need to combine that | | | | - Make sure you buy audio speakers made with a |
| with getting a pair of indestructible but nice-sounding | | | | polypropylene cone. It a cone made from a rigid |
| speakers, flush-mounting it in a protected yet | | | | material which is known for resisting moisture. It's best |
| accessible spot, running the correct wire to power, | | | | to use two 10-inch subwoofers designed for infinite |
| breakers and radio along with matching it to a good | | | | baffle mounting. Another available option is to include |
| antenna. I hope you're prepared for a job that will | | | | four speaker separates such as four 6- by 9-inch |
| require all of your patience and skill. | | | | two-way speakers or four 6 1/2-inch two-way |
| Probably the single, most important element of a | | | | speakers. Two-way speakers are great because they |
| marine audio system is its resistance to water | | | | include a midrange or mid-bass speaker and a tweeter |
| damage for obvious reasons. Boats live on water so | | | | and the more separates your system has, the louder it |
| you really cannot expect to avoid some exposure to | | | | will be. |
| water in that environment. It also offers other dangers | | | | - Find yourself a good four-channel amplifier. Look for |
| to an audio system such as humidity, wind, salt, | | | | one specifically made for the marine environment. It will |
| corrosion, chlorine, sun, and so on. | | | | have specially treated circuit board enabling it to last |
| For a quality marine system install, it is the design of | | | | longer around water and moisture. Companies like |
| the system which is so critical for the components and | | | | Rockford, Eclipse and Clarion make some nice models. |
| installation. When designing a balanced sound system, | | | | Choose one with a built-in electronic crossover and |
| look at a few requirements such as the source, | | | | runs stable with a 2 ohm load because it will be running |
| speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers, installation more | | | | very hot. |
| carefully. Here are a few simple steps to help you with | | | | - Select a stereo head unit that can be controlled by |
| your install: | | | | an infrared remote control allowing you to keep the |
| - Look over your boat and find areas where audio | | | | unit safely stored in a dry place, covered in plastic and |
| products can be safely placed so that they do not get | | | | still handy. Remember that for the remote to work |
| wet. Most people put their amplifiers engine | | | | properly it still needs to be in a line of sight to the unit. |
| compartments in the rear of the boat or sometimes | | | | So part of it still needs to be exposed. It is also a good |
| under the dashboard. Put the subwoofers in the | | | | idea to have everything hooked up to a second |
| compartment under the seats. You'll have your new | | | | battery, as well. This battery is used to power the |
| stereo unit replace the old, original one. If you have any | | | | audio system and upgrade the boat's alternator. |
| room in the side panels of the boat or under the dash, | | | | |