How to Build a Marine Audio System
The process of building a marine audio system (which is done prior to installation) includes determining what types of components are appropriate for harsh and wet environments and your particular boat layout. Keep in mind that your head unit and speakers have to be able to withstand water splash, direct sunlight, hard shocks from riding over water chop and rough handling. Marine systems have radio splash guards, plastic speaker cones and tough speaker grills. Marine amplifiers also have to be resistant to water and rusting, but since most boats aren't air conditioned, they also have to withstand high temperature conditions.
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Instructions
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Make a list of requirements to use as a basis for choosing your components. If you want to play only FM radio and CDs, your head unit can be more basic than if you want a built-in video screen and DVD capability. Crawl under the dash, look up and measure your available space. Your head unit, an amp for front speakers, and your front speakers may all be mounted in your dash space. Choose an encased head unit with a front plastic splash guard or sealed controls and a remote control. Attach hook and loop sticky-back fasteners to the remote and the dash to keep the head unit handy and safe. If your dash is open all the way across the beam, fully enclosed speaker cabinets are probably your best bet for under-dash mounting because speakers require isolation between the front and back of the cone to produce bass. Some speakers come with rail clamps.
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Find enclosed spaces under the side bulwarks where you can mount your non-enclosed raw speakers anywhere between the bow and the stern. The closer you can get your speakers to listening level, the better you can overcome ambient noise. Choose the largest speakers that will fit. Find a large enclosed box space like a seat compartment or upper engine compartment to house your subwoofer. If you are mounting your subwoofer in the engine compartment, plan to attach automotive carpet felt over the back of the basket to keep the engine noise from penetrating it. Use a separate sub box if your boat does not have appropriate enclosed spaces for a subwoofer. Mount or lash the subwoofer down away from the floor.
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Design mounting spaces for your amplifiers and wiring that are high above the floor and out of direct sunlight. Electricity and water do not mix and summer sun can cause your amplifier to shut down. Use solder connections rather than wire nuts or crimps wherever you can. Plan to use shrink tubing and silicone sealant to protect your wire connections against corrosion.
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References
- Photo Credit speed boat image by Wimbledon from Fotolia.com
