Best location to install 12" subs, and other audio questions.

[coletrain777]

Where is the best place to install a pair of 12" subwoofers on a 1998 1800 Sportster? I already own the 12's so I am trying to put them to use.
Also, if I add the 12's (and a few tweeters and midrange) I of course will have to add an amp. If I add an amp, do I also need to add another battery and link them together for charging. If I add the amp will the factory charging system of the two engines keep up with the amp? Sorry for the dumb questions, I have done several audio installs on vehicles over the years, but never had a PWC/Jetboat until last year and don't know much of anything about their charging system.

 

[RFoster130]

The charging system can handle the head unit and an amp no problem. When it becomes an issue is if you sit and use it with the boat turned off for a while. That is why I added a 2nd battery. I can sit and jam for hours and always have a full charged battery when it's time to go. Somebody else on here recently was looking to do a system in a sportster 1800, you might find that thread for info. Post up pics of your interior and I'll see if I can help. Are the subs that you have marine rated?

 

[howie099]

It is hard to find a place to mount 2 - 12' in a Sportster 1800. I have the same boat and I could just fit a 10" sub between the backwards seat and the bow seat. You could fit them but they won't fit flush in many places. I was looking at the console but a couldn't find a place to mount the 10" sub flush. Here is a pic of the 10' sub a 12' might fit but not much fiberglass left on the sides. I did mount an amp in my boat with a 2nd battery. Here is the rest of the pics to see my AMP and 2nd Battery. I glued a piece of pressure treated plywood to the foam in the console. To fit the 2nd battery I fiberglassed pressure treated wood to the boat to level the battery box.

 

[coletrain777]

Thanks for the replies.

Howie99 - how does the sub sound installed in between the seats? Does the fiberglass enclosure effective work like a sub box? Also, what is the red dial in the first pic?

 

[howie099]

That red box is a battery switch so I chooose which battery to run. 1, 2 , ALL or Off. The sub sounds pretty good but it is a marine sub designed for a non-encloseure system. The bass travels through the whole boat. You can touch the fiberglass and feel the bass.