How to Install a Replacement Radio in My Pontoon Boat

Pontoon boats, or party barges, are ideal for parties, fishing and other water-based recreational activities. Many pontoon boats come equipped with an FM radio and CD player. Marine environments are tough on electronic devices, particularly ones that are not designed for such conditions. Even good quality marine radios will eventually fail and need replacing.

Things You'll Need

• Wire cutters
• Wire strippers
• Terminal and butt-splice kit
• Terminal crimper

Instructions

1. Disable the power to the radio. Remove the faceplate and dash panels to access the radio. Pull the radio slightly out of the dash and unplug the antennae wire.

2. Pull the boat's radio wiring harness far enough out of the dash to access the old butt-splices. Note the color coding on the boat's wires and where they correspond on the radio. Cut the wires just behind the old butt-splices.

3. Strip 1/4 inch of insulation from the end of each wire on the boat's wiring harness and on the radio's wiring harness with the wire strippers. Crimp a butt-splice to each of the boat's wires with the terminal crimpers.

4. Slip the radio spacer over the radio from the back before connecting any wires. Test fit the new radio and spacer in the radio hole and make any adjustments to properly seat the radio.

5. Crimp each boat wire to its corresponding wire on the radio. Plug the antennae wire into the back of the radio, then slide the radio back into position in the dash.

6. Test the radio for proper operation, then reassemble the dash.

Tips & Warnings

• Butt-splices that are built for marine use are recommended. The splice will be filled with a silicon gel that displaces water and prevents corrosion in the electrical connection. They are more expensive than regular ones but are good insurance.

References

• Capt. TJ Hinton; commercial fishing vessel captain; Gulf Coast, Mississippi