A simple audio question

[03stage2]

So I have been reading through threads trying to decide if I want to add a stereo to my 99 speedster. What i'm not understanding is how to power them. The guy I bought the boat off said there is no kind of alternate on these boats which i'm not to sure about. Do I need to run a second independent battery to power a stereo if I will be using a 4 channel amp? I also noticed 4 screw holes against where your right leg would rub on the hull while driving. Are those factory holes for a stereo, was this some sort of option? Thanks for any input.

 

[RFoster130]

There isn't an alternator, but a stator. It produces electricity. You can easily power a radio and amp. I used mine like that for the first season. I only installed the 2nd battery because i like to sit for hours sometimes with the boat off. With 2 batteries I can listen to tunes all day and never be stranded. There are wires in the hull for a radio from the factory. Inside the compartment where the cooler is. You will see a hole on the side where the wire harness is. The speaker wire ends to the rear on each side where my subs are mounted. It's wired for just those 2 speakers. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[03stage2]

Great info! So the wire is ran to where you cut out the openings for the subs? So basically they intended for us to cut out that area by the rear passenger grab bars?

I dont want to pump a ton of money into a boat im going to sell but if I can get away with a simple 2 channel marine amp I might give it a whirl. Where did you mount your amp? Do you need to run a dedicated power line from the battery? How does the head unit get power? Thanks again for the info!

EDIT: If I buy a powered head unit I guess I wont need an amp, correct? And if that is the case where there be power already running to that harness that is factory installed?

There isn't an alternator, but a stator. It produces electricity. You can easily power a radio and amp. I used mine like that for the first season. I only installed the 2nd battery because i like to sit for hours sometimes with the boat off. With 2 batteries I can listen to tunes all day and never be stranded. There are wires in the hull for a radio from the factory. Inside the compartment where the cooler is. You will see a hole on the side where the wire harness is. The speaker wire ends to the rear on each side where my subs are mounted. It's wired for just those 2 speakers. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[RFoster130]

The boat had a factory option for the radio, that is why the wires are there. Mine came with it from the factory, it was a basic jensen POS cd player and 2 cheap jensen 5" speakers. The factory harness should be good enough to power just the radio, mine was hooked up to that when I got it. I ended up running all new wiring. The factory speakers were connected to the factory wiring and it worked, but when I upgraded the audio system i found those speaker wires were severely corrodded and a total mess, so I ran all new wires. You could probably get away with using it though. It would be really easy to install a radio and 2 speakers. You could do a decent setup that would be fine for under $250. You could do install in less than an hour total.

For more speakers and an amp you could get as crazy as you want. If you plan on selling it though, I would just throw in a radio and 2 or 4 speakers. I would probably just do 4 to do something where those holes are you were talking about. You are still looking at under $350 and 2 hours worth of work.

If you do decide to add an amp, you need to run all new wires from the engine compartment. You can fit an amp right under the cooler in that storage compartment depending on the size of it. That is where me and lot of others have it.

 

[03stage2]

I decided to move forward with just a receiver and 2 full range speakers using the factory harness. I did find the wiring harness you spoke of, it looks a little gunked up like waxy maybe? Anyhow I plan on cleaning it and using it if I can find the right adapter.

Also, is there a thread showing how you cut your holes? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to get my eggs in a row.

This is the unit I'm considering, it's $138 new on ebay; http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/st...d=10151&langId=-1&partNumber=CDXHS70MW/BSTOCK

 

[RFoster130]

You don't need any harness. Just cut that plug off. Its useless. If i recall correctly, it only has a black wire which is ground. A red wire that is always hot when the battery is on. Then 2 sets of speaker wire. I think one set is white and the other is grey. When you cut the holes at the rear you can figure out which color is on which side. To cut the holes, most 6.5" speakers will fit in a 5" hole. I used a hole saw. I bought a whole kit of them from harbor freight for like 7 bucks. Put tape over the are so it doesn't scratch the gel coat all up. Use a regular corded drill and it will cut through like butter. Spin it in reverse for just a few seconds to score the gel without cracking it. Then go forward and cut them out. Just before it cuts all the way through slow it down, so you don't cut any wires. This is a really easy install.

That head unit is pretty popular and a lot of people have used it.

 

[03stage2]

Im going to pick up a Sony head unit and one set of 6 1/2"s this afternoon. I just decided on a standard single din head unit and am concerned about where to mount it. Obviously the wiring harness is on the passenger front but where I have seen people mount them in the past would eliminate the grab bar I have now. Should I just remove the grab bar or mount the unit somewhere else? Also Im assuming I have to cut a hole out to slide the head unit in. How do I secure the unit or do marine head units come with special brackets? Going to try and attempt this tonight so any info would be much appreciated!

 

[RFoster130]

I'm on my way out the door, but ill give you the quick answer. You move the grab handle up just above the radio, when your done it looks like factory. Then use a drill to make some holes and cut the radio hole with a jigsaw. It is all really easy. The radio goes in like any car radio, the cage thingy holds it in. I snapped a quick pic with my phone for ya

 

[03stage2]

I'm on my way out the door, but ill give you the quick answer. You move the grab handle up just above the radio, when your done it looks like factory. Then use a drill to make some holes and cut the radio hole with a jigsaw. It is all really easy. The radio goes in like any car radio, the cage thingy holds it in. I snapped a quick pic with my phone for ya

You give great info sir! One last question, you say the factory speaker wire runs somewhere. Does it run to the front or the rear where you drill the speakers out??

 

[RFoster130]

The factory wires run to the rear. The factory speakers are placed between the 2 grab handles on each side in the rear. I made those holes bigger and put the subs there, but this picture should give you an idea. A 5" hole saw will cut the holes perfect quickly.

 

[03stage2]

What do you mean by cage thingy? I mean I think I know what you mean, the rectangular racket you slide the radio into. However yours looks like you used some type of waterproof enclosure or something?

 

[RFoster130]

Yeah that little metal bracket thinky that looks like a cage. That is just a cover on the outside. You can find em for like $20. The cover just flips up and recesses back in if you wanna see the face of the radio. Just helps to keep water and sun out of the radio.

Here are a few.

http://compare.ebay.com/like/160784966653?var=lv&var=sbar

 

[03stage2]

Well that was absolutely awful... but it's done. If anyone in the future reads this thread please be aware that the main wiring cluster runs down the driver side of the boat directly where you need to drill. Take your time and all should be ok. Took me 4 hours to do the head unit and 2 speakers. I decided against moving the grab bar as I worry about someone slipping into the radio. Finally I must say I am blown away by these Sony 6 1/2" two way speakers. The bass these little guys produce is outstanding for what they are. I was worried about the factory head unit not providing enough power as well as having only two speakers but I have to say I am 100% happy with the outcome!

PS the factory wiring is MORE then ample, it is a very thick gauge copper.


Maybe Hydro Turf next? I think im putting more money into something im selling then I should. Nature of the beast I supose....

 

[ocod]

Looks good.
Just throw down some HT and you'll be set.

Next Q will be what color and what pattern of HT

BTW what 2002 are you a stage 2?? Is that the truck??

 

[03stage2]

BTW what 2002 are you a stage 2?? Is that the truck??

Actually it's a 2003, and my garage queen.

 

[RFoster130]

Looks good!!! Guess on post #6, I should have been more specific when I said "Just before it cuts all the way through slow it down, so you don't cut any wires."

I would put that grab handle back on for sure. Its a rough ride in there without it. My boat and at least 10 other people with the same boat have done it exactly the same. Mine came that way from the factory.

Hydroturf is the best thing you can do for the look of the boat, the stuff is just awesome. Sweet Stang!!! Ive had a few, the last one was an 03 Cobra. They were my other obsession before I bought the boat.

 

[03stage2]

Looks good!!! Guess on post #6, I should have been more specific when I said "Just before it cuts all the way through slow it down, so you don't cut any wires."

I would put that grab handle back on for sure. Its a rough ride in there without it. My boat and at least 10 other people with the same boat have done it exactly the same. Mine came that way from the factory.

Hydroturf is the best thing you can do for the look of the boat, the stuff is just awesome. Sweet Stang!!! Ive had a few, the last one was an 03 Cobra. They were my other obsession before I bought the boat.

Oh I heeded your warning but I wanted people to know that you will 100% run into the main harness. So being careful out of caution isnt the case here, its being careful out of necessity.

Ahhh a terminator guy, sweet! Have to say a 50mph boat is no comparrison to cobra muscle, but im no one ot talk as I put about 200 miles a year on mine...