Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

I've got a 2004 glastron boat that will be a fun in the sun boat and i wanted to do something a little extreme with the audio. There will be lots of other extras along the way like LED lights and what not.

So is anyone interested in following the build of a party boat stereo system?

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

Sounds like a nice project that you'll get a lot of enjoyment out of next season. Seems I'm always in the middle of another wiring job - I always learn something new. Let's see what you've got planned. I say go for it!

Todd

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

Alright here goes a build log. I realize that some of this stuff may not be as interesting but bear with me here and we can all make it through this!

I will be updating this boat build log as it progresses. I have all winter to finish it and some of the purchases won't be until spring time.

as of today I have a 2004 glastron GT-185 boat with a pioneer headunit and a JL E4300 amp and some 6.5" kenwood marine speakers. it's not much and all of this will more than likely have to be replaced.
When i picked up the boat it had tint on a couple of the windows but not all so the first thing we did was get the windows re-tinted. I really think it gives it a classy look. It's 5%. I also wanted to store it in our garage for the winter so that it was easily accessable to work on when i had time. but the trailer was to long. I had to cut the tongue off and order a new one with a fold away section so that i could fit it in the garage.
With all that said i'll start with a few pictures.

This is the new trailer tongue before i chopped it off. It was to long and i didn't need it to be this long.


Here is the trailer tongue after i cut it basically in half to get it bact to about the same leingth as it was from the factory. You can see the orig and the cut piece laying on the ground.


next is a couple random pictures of the boat.




tinted windows

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

Next we will look at the few components that are already on the boat.
These are the Polk 4" DB series speakers. the previous owner had some holes for some tweeters in this location and i decided to put some 4" speakers here. I should have stuck with the tweets because the bottom half of the area where these speakers were going to go was completely fiberglass. so i had to basically carve out a section for them.. it was a pain! but it is done and i really like the look of it. You can also see one of the 4 kenwood 6.5" marine speakers.


It was dark when i took the picture of the headunit. it's nothing spectacular but it works and i'll keep it around for a little while.


Here is the JL amp that is running all the mids and highs.

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

The motor is a Volvo Penta 4.3 liter 190 hp stock. It comes with a factory 75 amp alternator that will be getting upgraded. All i will be adding to it is the big 3 and the larger output alternator.


This is a picture of the back seat removed for measuring and cleaning of the area we will be using to house the subwoofer (I know you have been waiting to hear that word!)


There really isn't a lot of room on this boat for a sub and the space constraint of fitting it under the rear seat has been a huge hasle. It wouldn't have been such a big deal if the sub was normal (we will say normal is 300-500 watts... but i like to go all out and stretch the boundaries so i bought a 10" DC sound labs XL. 2250 rms... good god this thing weighs like 53 lbs!


To power the i got a great deal on an audiobahn amp. I know what most of you think about audiobahn but i had one of these same amps back in 2001 and it really was a great amp. We will see how it does paired with the DCXL before i make any changes.
This thing is huge and heavy.


Mounted under the passenger dash(this location may or may not change depending on how wiring it goes.

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

as far as a box for the sub i am severly constrained on space and almost gave up hope and sold all the sub stuff to get something a little more practical... but i figured i'd give it a shot and see how it turned out...
In the end the box will be fiberglassed and painted to match the boat. It will have a 8"X9"X3/4" plexiglass viewing window that you will be able to see when you lift the seat. It will also be illuminated with led's inside just like the rest of the boat.
Here is a few build pictures of the box


2 inch port 22 inches long box being mocked up


basic box done


making flush mount rings for the sub. I will be putting a grill over it as well


before the top pieces were glued and screwed on.


box all sanded down ready to be fiberglassed.

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

One of the other projects that i have started is installing a rear view camera and monitor to watch the skiers while i'm driving.
Here is the monitor. it is made to clamp onto a rear view mirror so i am making a bracket that will mount to the dash.

here is the beginning of the bracket and where it will be mounted

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

Well i had a little bit of time to play with the subwoofer box and a piece of plexi glass. the plexi is 8"X9"X3/4" and the cutout is one inch smaller all the way around. I put the hole where is did because it will stick up in the area where there used to be a cubby area. I realize that it doesn't show off the whole speaker but all you need to see is that beautiful back side! So now you will lift the seat and see into the box. It will be lit with the same leds that will light up the whole boat. There is 1/4 T-nuts inside all holes to hold it. I just need to find some sort of seal to seal it off. Here is a few pictures.








How about green...


or red...


I like the blue

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

Well I ordered a little grill guard for the sub. I ordered the 12" model so that it would attach to the outside of the box and hopefully give me the clearance needed for the sub.

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

bsipes
Great work so far. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where this goes. Good luck.

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

Thanks! I hope to have the speaker box fiberglassed this week. I am planning on fiberglassing the inside so that i can maybe do something a little different inside for the viewing window area, and fiberglassing the outside so that it doesn't swell the MDF if someone drips a little water on the box.

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

I can just picture people cringing at this thread. Nice work thus far, I'll be over here munching some popcorn waiting for the show.

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

Yeah there is always people that don't like something original and not what they are used to seeing. I'm sure the sub would sound way better inside a car than a boat but we are gonna try it out.

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

I was remarking more towards people in these forums tend to make people with loud stereos on boats somewhat of a pariah. I personally don't like being out fishing early in the morning only to have some guy parked on the other side of the lake with his radio so loud it rattles my teeth. Or guys with speakers on their wakeboard towers who feel its their job to entertain the entire lake with their brand of music. There's a time and place for loud music, even on the lake, just realise that sound travels very far over water and you'll be good.

I enjoy watching people customize their stuff, looks like your doing a great job so far.

Bill

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

I agree with your statment and i'm not an early morning person lol so no worries there. The amp will have a switch on it so that 90% of the time it will be off. I am not careless and don't care to get the lake police called on me. Thanks for the reply.

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

It'll be a awesome sand bar party boat tho. Lol

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

I couldn't drill all those holes in my boat. I look forward to following how this turns out and where exactly that sub box is goint to fit.

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

Tried my hand on a spare piece of acrylic to carve the brand logo of the subwoofer... I've got a little cleaning up to do... Maybe I can find someone in Oklahoma that does this sort of thing

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat

Here is the actual piece of plexi glass that is going on the box. It looks so much better when you have a profesional shop do it!

Re: Anyone interested in a large stereo install build? 2004 glastron boat