Marine Quality????

[Terry]

I got to wondering about this "marine quality" stamp of approval business with regards to electronics and thought about putting it up for discussion. Now I realize with most products it is a foregone conclusion ie. VHF, depth sounder,GPS etc, and even wiring. But there is this toy I am looking at:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-ICF-DVD57TV- ... udio-video

It is for home use and I have noticed that some manufacturers like Kenwood make marine grade stereos but is it really marine or are we being spoofed into paying a higher price. The Sony unit above is very tempting but expensive new, it is not something I would leave in the boat overnight while I am not there. I have a good size nylon computer suitcase with many compartments that I use for carrying all my expensive equipment to & from with (GPS, camera, binoculars, hand-held VHF, compass, anemometer etc.) and figure I can install the sony unit on a removeable mount and take it home thereby reducing exposure to the salty environment. Do they really use marine grade components in the main units (speakers I know have to be marine) or is this unit something that can be used on a boat?

[NiceAft]

If you're in a salt environment, I'd go for marine quality. I just would not chance the expensive loss if someone told me "don't worry", and they were wrong. Oops just wouldn't work as an apology! Unless someone you know well owns the company that makes the unit (then get me one for your price); I would just go for marine quality! Freshwater sailing would be something else.

This is just my uninformed, trust your gut feeling, opinion.

Ray

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

We picked up a similar, but far cheaper unit at Target. It is an undercounter kitchen TV, DVD, CD player with AM and FM radio. On sale for $99.00 . It is a 7" wide screen format display.

Not marine grade either, but still a LOT less money to lose to theft or corrosion if put in the boat.

Our's is not destined for the boat, we just use the laptop on a custom stand for movies. It's hard to beat the 14" widescreen. The stand has built in computer speakers and even a sub mounted under the forward dinette seat. All our music is sourced from MP3 players or XM radio these days using the same speaker setup.



Still, my boat also has a auto grade Sony stereo. The way it's installed it's not even enclosed on the part that belongs behind the dash. It was there when I bought the boat 6 years ago and is still there now happily playing music on the few occasions when we turn it on. We don't store our boat in the water, but almost all our boating is in a salt water environment.

I think if you keep the boat dry inside, particularly during the winter by controlling the humidity with heaters and or dri-z-air type products a non-marine product will have a resonable service life onboard. Marine grade is over-rated. It makes sense for things used exposed in the cockpit which need to be sealed watertight, but things headed below into protected space usually only get an extra spray coat of sealer on the circuit boards to be called marine grade and sold at twice the price.

[James V]

If I really needed it for safety, I would get Marine Quality. Just for weekend, you could go with non-marine. Some people say that they are getting the same usuage.

wiring, Marine is a must.

Lights, Marine a must.

Anything above deck or in the bilge, marine a must

Best bet, take it with you when you leave the boat and store it in warm DRY, place.

[willem]

I'm also shopping for some audio equipment
and found this "'under cabinet'' ipod acc.

iHome IH36W Under-Counter iPod Player with FM, TV, and Weather Band Tuner

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

I differ on the wiring claim above. Your entire mac, from the factory is wired with non-marine grade wire. All the wiring fittings are simple automotive crimp fittings. None are sealed or even heat shrinked.

The 1970 Venture (early Mac) I owned and now my sister owns is still going strong in salt water with this exact same non-marine grade lamp cord for wiring.

[Frank C]

Agreeing w/Duane, my boat is dry-stored on SF Bay. Though daily fog is a seasonal reality, it nearly always burns off by noon. My boat's "wiring by Roger" is still doing fine after 6 years.

Seems to me that the necessity of "marine grade wiring" will vary by locale. This region has generally moderate overall humidity, rarely over 65%. It's probably more critical for a region with higher humidity and heat - say FL or Central America - especially where humidity can remain at 85% for weeks at a time.
It's more a consideration for a boat owner planning long distance cruising - right Rich?

[Night Sailor]

I'm not a long distance cruiser; the miles I've put under the keel were all short hauls. But, for over 30 years I've outfitted my boats on fresh and salt water with ordinary off the shelf radios, 8 tracks, cassette decks, CDs and CD changers, CBs, battery chargers, inverters, etc. and had no problems at all. Not one. I do keep a dry and well ventilated boat, so that may be the key.

IF it's a safety item like navigation gear or the VHF I want it to be proven marine enviornment capable, even for short hauls. For a long distance cruiser in deep blue ocean situations, I suggest that even the best of marine stuff isn't good enough because it fails too. Get the best you can afford if your life is at stake.