River Boat Modifications

[bsmith6339]

I'm wanting to install a small set of marine speakers along with a small amplifier for hooking up my iPhone to when I want some tunes to go along with my fishing. I have a Dissident that has the same floor plan as the Supreme or Shawnees and I can't decide where to mount the speakers. Does anybody have some pictures of their set up? What other modifications/ideas do you guys have?

[jdmidwest]

I personally prefer people to wear earphones on the river. It does not disturb nature as much as the speakers do....

[bsmith6339]

Guys, I'm not talking about bumping Snoop during the caddis hatch and AC/DC for the hopper bite. I'm wanting something to listen to a razorback game in the fall on a lunch break or a little Willie Nelson with a beer at the end of the day.

[MoSportsmen]

I want the same thing, I have used battery powered speakers in the past, velcroed under the dash. Like to have something that would run off boat batery and be permantly mounted. What have you found so far to serve as an amp for the speakers? I have had a cheep car sterio in a boat before. It does not last forever but for the price of a "marine" sterio I figure I can buy four regular car sterios. Problem in my boat is there is not much realestate available on or under the dash. If I could mount an amp underneath and have a 1/8 mini plug for my MP3 player I would be happy.

[bsmith6339]

This is the amp and speakers I bought from Amazon. Not going to blow any doors off but will acomplish what I'm looking for once I decide where to mount the speakers.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003GSLDUO/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Terrierman]

I'd put them under the rear seat facing forward, one on each side. Tip: Use a lighted rocker switch to control power so you don't forget and leave them on and run the battery down.

[bsmith6339]

I bought a switch panel that also has a cigarette charger. I'm leery to mount the speakers at the rear of the boat due to space. Between the gas tank and battery most of that area is utilized or I need access to it. I'm considering building a fly rod/fly storage box and include the amp and speakers below. I'm looking at the area on the side of the boat between the rear seat and middle storage. I would make the rod storage removable so I can store my fully rigged rods safely in the garage as well. Sounds like my weekend project.

[gotmuddy]

mount them in the storage compartment/livewell.

[grizwilson]

I bought a bose sound link, good sound portable goes in the truck boat camp hot tub, anywhere it sits well in the boat.

http://www.amazon.com/Bose%C2%AE-SoundLink%C2%AE-Bluetooth-Mobile-Speaker/dp/B0090Z3SPU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364351104&sr=8-1&keywords=bose+sound

[trouthog]

I used to install car audio. Yes as a young man I was the punk we all want kill now with the big boom! Lol

Regardless of how waterproof they say you will want to keep them out of direct super soaker areas if you have any. The amp needs air flow or it will shut down in the summer. I will tell you now, keep it away from FUEL unless you want to get a new boat.... U laugh, but being ex military I have seen it all.

I would make speaker pods, this way u can angle them how ever you want to make the best sound, not from a great sound aspect, but for listening.. With out a cab there is no sound structure. This is easily done with or by making a couple speaker rings and some of the plumbing strap. Cut the rings and glue or screw rings to strap, form to your liking and cover with an old Cotten t-shirt or sweatshirt. Staple it snug and wet out with fiberglass resin. 1-2 hrs u have a pod, continue to cove in a couple layers of shirt or fiberglass, till it is 1/8" or so thick... You can glass into place if want..

You can even make a simple balsa stick square and cover in glass... Let cure, sand and gel coat or paint to match....

Keep wire runs short to amp and always cross any wires in the boat only if you have to & form a90 degree angle. A cross, tee what ever you want to call it, this will keep interference to a minimum, and no annoying buzzing from the speakers.

If it were me I donut them in the front storage area with the speaker baffles from cruthfield.com to keep them dry and seal of the hole. Then the face rear and ever one should hear them... Keep the amp out of the sun, with good airflow, as it draws less power the cooler it runs, so keep the gain to minimum only use enough power to keep volume low and still hear good, this will kill distortion.

Hope all that helps... James