Stereo speakers in a 26M

[baldbaby2000]

I'm planning on installing stereo speakers in the interior and exterior of my 2005 26M. I'd like to put one (or 2) up in the V berth and it appears that on either side of the front hatch, the liner comes down on either side of the hatch. Thus there are 2 flat relatively vertical faces (on either side of the forward hatch) that seem to be good spots for speakers. Does anyone know what's behind here? It seems too high for flotation.

I also plan on 2 speakers for the outside that will mount on the stanchions near the winches. They will have quick releases.

Any pictures or descriptions of installations will be appreciated.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

The cavity in the bow that surrounds the anchor locker is filled with foam blocks. Usually they can be re-arranged enough to put in speakers. This was true of all the X's and I doubt it is any different in the M. The early X's even had a handy plexi hatch on the bottom of that cavity that mase it easy to get inside the bow area.

This is what it is like in an X.

Should be similar in an M.

[Moe]

This may be a perfect place in the open X,

but it's a terrible place in the M, where the head blocks the berth area from the salon.

The right channel would be significantly blocked from the salon.

I think if it were my M, I'd hang boxed speakers up high on either side of the companionway,

The channel on the starboard side would have spread sufficiently to "get around" the head, while the channel on the port side would have spread so that part of it would also be blocked by the head. No, you wouldn't have stereo separation up in the V-berth, but the volume from the two channels should be relatively balanced up there.
--
Moe

[Frank C]

• A de Minimus Stereo System, w/ your entire CD Collection

Your implication is that you already have a stereo unit of some sort, so this might be too little, too late. However, if you're not already committed, consider this ultra-simplistic approach to tunes.

• 1) Get a 20 gigabyte iPod clone from Creative Labs (Zen Jukebox) or Dell for only about ~ $200. It's battery operated.
  
  2) Get a pair of battery-powered computer speakers, ~$ 20 up to $50 if you want fancy ones. (Pass on the separate subwoofer systems).
  
  3) Mount all three components within the sliding hatch. Mount the two speakers facing DOWN into the cabin. However, mount them to the hatch lip using self-closing hinges. Now they can also swing 90-deg down-and-aft, to face into the cockpit.

Now you have your entire collection of 20 Buffet albums, and 100 other CDs, always along with you in the boat. They won't impair your amphours unless you intentionally make that choice. You could choose to wire the 12v system into the sliding hatch, or just use rechargeable batts with a 12v recharger. The recharger is also a good idea for handheld VHF and family radios. Or making house power even easier, mount the speakers to the companionway edges instead of the hatch, but I really have like the sound quality w/them recessed into the hatch.

[Pouw Geuzebroek]

Hm, don't know Moe, it is very close to the place where most have their compass fitted on the outside. Speakers give lots of interference. Unless of course you only listening to the music when you are not sailing.

[Moe]

Most people? I couldn't read a compass over there. Mine is a bulkhead mount in the pedestal. If I had the much more limited pedestal space of an M, I'd do the Duane handbearing compass in a holder on the pedestal.
Besides... either side of the companionway is the best location for outdoor speakers.

--
Moe

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

I got an uninstalled stereo with my boat, but decided not to install it because I want to get one with a remote instead. Not exactly sure where I will put the stereo, but I want the remote to be at the helm. Also, I plan to put the 2 exterior speakers in the pedestal by making some holes in the black plexiglass and having the 2 speakers point outward. This should make for some pretty good cockpit tunes and the pedestal box should help the sound. For interior speakers on the X, you can't beat the location at the front of the boat. It's just another thing on my wish list...for now, I make do with a boom box.