Radio Speaker Placement on a Pontoon

[cbavier]

Ok I got a Radio for Christmas with four speakers. I am wondering where to place the speakers on a Pontoon. Here is a link to pictures of the Pontoon. Notice the Air Vents on the seats. This is going to cause a placement problem. Anybody got any Ideas where to put the speakers.

Try this one.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/24589494@N00/4872798308/in/set-72157624681085300/

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Radio Speaker Placement on a Pontoon

The link is for ALL your pictures.

I like the speakers in boxes or enclosures...it gives many options on where to mount them.

 

[vergil]

Re: Radio Speaker Placement on a Pontoon

well, how big are the speakers?
i am assuming they are the 5 inch round speakers. speaker boxes, and or encloser would be a must, could they mount in you seat frames towards the bottom?

 

[5150abf]

Re: Radio Speaker Placement on a Pontoon

Cut out a cardboard circle the size of the speaker and see where it will fit, on a built boat they have to go where they can go, you should have room in the seat bases for them, then the seat base is the speaker box.

 

[Dkrager]

Re: Radio Speaker Placement on a Pontoon

I read somewhere if you place them under the benches, don't put them directly across from each other. You want to stagger them. If 2 speakers are aimed directly at each other, they cancel themselves out and you don't get good sound.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Radio Speaker Placement on a Pontoon

well, how big are the speakers?
i am assuming they are the 5 inch round speakers. speaker boxes, and or encloser would be a must, could they mount in you seat frames towards the bottom?

vergil they are 6.5 inches . I was thinking in the ventilation grills in the seat bottoms but they are too heavy for that. 5150abf Captain I like your suggestion to cut a cardboard circle for a pattern and I will definably do that before cutting anything. Same as installing the Radio on the Helm. I'm really nervous about cutting through the Padding and Vinyl on the dash and seats but separate/ independent boxes are out of the question for space reasons. The pontoon is only 24ft and is already crowded. I plan to move the life jackets (13) to up under the Bimini Top to free up space under the seats where they are presently stored. I just have to get some Velcro or figure out how to secure them in the top, handy but out of the way. Any other suggestions are welcome.

 

[vergil]

Re: Radio Speaker Placement on a Pontoon

ok. bigger then i thought,can you wireless and build seperate boxes for them and put them whereever

 

[5150abf]

Re: Radio Speaker Placement on a Pontoon

My dash is pretty small so ended up putting my radio on the side of the console, I normally only use while stopped and fishing so it is actually easier to use that way.

Here again a cardboard cut out so you can see where it will fit adn how it will look, if you don't like it take it off and move it without cutting any holes.

 

[BatDaddy1887]

Re: Radio Speaker Placement on a Pontoon

Look at the photo here and see where mine are mounted. Under the bench seats, I mounted two across from each other, staggered just like DKrager suggested. The other set are in the rear bench seat as indicated for a total of 6 speakers. Mine are 5" so I used a 5" hole saw to cut the wood...if you use a hole saw, go slow and do it from the inside out. Put dielectric grease on the connections and you are good to go. Good luck.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Radio Speaker Placement on a Pontoon

Look at the photo here and see where mine are mounted. Under the bench seats, I mounted two across from each other, staggered just like DKrager suggested. The other set are in the rear bench seat as indicated for a total of 6 speakers. Mine are 5" so I used a 5" hole saw to cut the wood...if you use a hole saw, go slow and do it from the inside out. Put dielectric grease on the connections and you are good to go. Good luck.



View attachment 79786

Thanks BatDaddy for the Photo. I am thinking about the same location if they won't fit in the armrest. Which I'm also wondering how I would cut the holes. Why didn't you put them (one in each side) in the front? Was there a reason? I sure wish iboats would send responses to your inbox like they used to do.

 

[BatDaddy1887]

Re: Radio Speaker Placement on a Pontoon

Cbavier, I have 4 speakers in the boat.....two in the rear bench seat behind the console and one under each bench seat up front......

 

[Jobless Recovery]

Re: Radio Speaker Placement on a Pontoon

We had the same dilemma with where to place the stereo speakers. The problem I found was you had to crank up the volume to enjoy the music while we where out side the boat (usually sitting in the water with a cocktail in hand). I'm sure many do the same. However, when another persons goes INSIDE the boat (maybe to take a nap or just get out of the sun) you were blasted with the loud music.!!!
Solution: We purchased a Bose Portable Sound Dock which we can just place ANYWHERE. I have ours Velcro'd to the dash and it's VERY SECURE there. When you want good tunes outside the boat I usually just point it where I want the music or you could even take to shore with you (totally portable and the re-chargeable battery last for about a day and a half using full volume. I even have an extra battery that I switch out if/when the first battery dies. Below are pics of the unit and the dashboard showing how/where I secure it. It beats making more holes in the boat seats for the speakers/dash (not to mention all the wiring and drain on your boat battery). And, I never have to worry about some idiot trying to steal our stereo while the boats in the marina at night (we just take our Bose with us in the carrying case) then we listen to it while were in our hotel room or when we take it camping or having a BBQ outside. We love this thing!.

 

[Dkrager]

Re: Radio Speaker Placement on a Pontoon

I'm getting ready to add some speakers to my new toon. Why in the world they only put two speakers on a boat is beyond me.

Anyways... I'm gonna add two speakers (kind of like a outdoor patio speaker) under the sundeck pointed towards the rear so when you are in the water you can enjoy the tunes. I'm putting theses speakers on a separate amp so I can control the volume or shut them off. We spend lots of time at beaches so we are always in the water behind the boat.

 

[Jobless Recovery]

Re: Radio Speaker Placement on a Pontoon

That sounds like a good idea - they can run independently from the interior boat speakers. Now that's what I'm talking about!!

 

[Dkrager]

Re: Radio Speaker Placement on a Pontoon

That sounds like a good idea - they can run independently from the interior boat speakers. Now that's what I'm talking about!!

I'll start a new thread when I upgrade my system, I'll try not to steal this thread, although maybe I already have, SORRY.