Re: new sound system
I just updated mine too, mainly using eBay for a low cost solution
When I bought the 1984 Bayliner, it still had a 1984 FM/Cassette radio and the speakers were made by Realistic!! Apparently to tune the radio you had to turn a knob
Anyway, I wanted to mainly play iPods and I had past systems that required you to plug the ipod into the front of the unit - I managed to find a Sony DSX-S100 Media Player - this looks exactly like any other head unit but has no CD - instead it opens up a tray and you put your iPod into the tray and it sucks it inside and you control it all from the front face or remote. Pretty cool. I found a 'refurbished' one on eBay for $88
For speakers, I didn't feel the need for 'marine' speakers as we only boat in fresh water - so I used 4 Rockwood Fosgate T1692 Power Series 6X9 speakers @ $84 a pair. I mounted these in the rear seats and built up some 5/8 ply backboards for the front, covering them in some vinyl I had lying around.
In order to get some power through them I connected them all up to a 4 channel HiFonix HFi100.4 100W per channel amp @ $41
I had some 4ga power cable and 8ga distribution cable left over from a previous job but I added in some Monster Cable speaker cable ($18) and a couple of power distribution blocks and fuse ($45)
To ensure enough power I removed the old and decaying cooler under the port seat and mounted a second battery and wired it through to a solenoid that is controlled from a switch on the dash - when underway, I can operate this switch so that the battery is being changed by the outboard.
I tested the system and it's very impressive for the money spent - I just felt it needed a touch more bass - so I built a platform for a Pyle 10" PL1090BL 10-Inch DVC Subwoofer (Amazon - $32) and wired it to a VISONIK V107SX 300 watt Mono Block Amp
I built a backboard from 5/8" ply that screwed over the rear storage/bilge access area and then used the original snap on cover to cover it up when not in use.
Here are some pictures but please bear in mind these are still 'work in progress'
