Reusing an old Sub for the boat (8" Bazooka tube)

[dmtalon]

I have an 8" bazooka tube that's been sitting in the basement collecting dust. I had it in my old Chevy S10 ZR2 4+ years ago when I sold it I kept the sub/radio (put the stock back in).

I'm considering trying to mount this thing on the port side under the console area (on the hull wall) if that is doable. What would I have to do to make sure that can support a 10+ lb sub in a marine environment? Its either that or on the floor (much more likely to get wet).

Test sub sound:


I also plugged my SCC1 Sirius tuner into the back of the radio with a cable and antenna I already had and it fires right up! Satellite on the Water will be nice. This is the tuner that is in my truck. I've got them both 'installed' so I can easily swap them for the day on the water.

 

[jkust]

Re: Reusing an old Sub for the boat (8" Bazooka tube)

Thats a standard mounting spot for subs. Have seen it many times. It looks in the pic that you have already stapped it down??

 

[dmtalon]

Re: Reusing an old Sub for the boat (8" Bazooka tube)

Thats a standard mounting spot for subs. Have seen it many times. It looks in the pic that you have already stapped it down??

Nah, it was just sitting there. It just has the strap on it still so it doesn't get lost... I'll need to run some power line up there before I perminantly mount it.

 

[BiggerDee]

Re: Reusing an old Sub for the boat (8" Bazooka tube)

I've thought about subs as well. I have also thought about the marine vs. non-marine question too. I think that a non-marine sub (especially with a poly cone instead of paper) is fine for marine use, as long as you don't leave your boat in constant humidity like you would encounter in a slip or a boathouse (or storing it outside at home). If your're like me, and tow it to the lake, use it, and then tow it home to store, it sould be fine, as long as it won't get spalshed a lot. I put some Polks in my truck and started looking around on Crutchfield for marine speakers. Come to find out, those same automotive Polk speakers were also marine rated, by virture of a powder coated aluminum frame/basket and a poly cone. That made them water resistant and essentially a dual purpose speaker. I plan on putting a flat box Kicker sub in my boat, with a small Kicker monoblock amp, neither of them specifically marine rated, in that same location. I think that they will be protected enough there, even from an occasional rain shower on the lake, that they should be fine. Another thing to consider is going into rain while towing. I tow my boat covered, always, simply to help keep it cleaner, and to make the cleaining days easier. If you tow without a cover, and drive into rain, that's a lot of mist coming off of tired and permeating every nook and cranny of the boat. In that case, I would only consider marine components, or some sort of setup that would hold it in place, yet allow quick and easy removal at the end of the day. That's a bit more of a hassle, but it would add lots of life to the sub.

 

[dmtalon]

Re: Reusing an old Sub for the boat (8" Bazooka tube)

Good points for sure. I do not have a cover, but plan to get one. The boat does live in the garage, and will likely only sit in the water overnight when we make the trip out east where it'll sit on the water all week. (maybe once a year). Or the occasional weekend trip to a fairly local lake.

I'm mainly interested in that sub since I own it already. I'm not gonna cry if it only lasts a year or so on the boat because of water. I bought the sub used 8 years ago or so and it's been sitting unused for at least 4 years now.

The only thing I'm not extremely looking forward too is actually screwing stuff into the floor there that might not be there for a LONG time.

When testing the sub in the garage it really did help the overall sound quality of the boat. I also want to wire up some front speakers too.

 

[jkust]

Re: Reusing an old Sub for the boat (8" Bazooka tube)

Given you already have the sub I'd just say use it until it no longer works. My biggest issue is drilling into the fiberglass. Can you conjure up a non-permanent mounting solution without drilling?

 

[dmtalon]

Re: Reusing an old Sub for the boat (8" Bazooka tube)

Given you already have the sub I'd just say use it until it no longer works. My biggest issue is drilling into the fiberglass. Can you conjure up a non-permanent mounting solution without drilling?

That would be ideal... I was somewhat short for time when I was doing this 'test fit' so I didn't spend a lot of time trying to come up with a mounting solution. But I would assume whatever that solution is needs to be pretty strong. It can get mighty bouncy in there

 

[jkust]

Re: Reusing an old Sub for the boat (8" Bazooka tube)

Do you have sport seating/rear bench seat with a spot to put the tube into? I've seen that done as well.

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Reusing an old Sub for the boat (8" Bazooka tube)

I'm thinking if you drilled and put anchor screws/hooks up higher on that near vertical foot rest area that you could have 2-3 anchor points and use a strap system to hang it almost.... and then have some heavy duty felt pads or foam to prevent any bang/rubbing...

WOuld keep it mostly out of the way and all the drilling/holes would be pretty much out of the way (non visible if sub ever fails)

Put dielectric grease / vaseline on all of the wiring connections to prevent corrosion from the high humidity.

 

[BiggerDee]

Re: Reusing an old Sub for the boat (8" Bazooka tube)

That's a great idea. That's exactly what I was going to do with my setup. That vertical area, as least on my boat, is carpet covered plywood. The radio is anchored to it, and I mounted the control box for my Sirius satellite weather receiver in the same spot on the driver's side. It's easy to work with.

 

[dmtalon]

Re: Reusing an old Sub for the boat (8" Bazooka tube)

Bringing this thread back to life as I've finally run power/ground up there for the bazooka. That front plywood is not really attached to much and mounting the sub on it via straps feels very insecure to me... After spending the time to buy/run the wires up there I'm now not so sure I'm going to run it like i imagined.

I'm also not extremely impressed with its "sub" abilities compared to the new speakers I put in this week. While the sub does give out some more bass, I've either not found a good location to get the most out of it or it's just a crappy old sub

Wonder how a free-air 10-12" would do in walkway with a small amp. vs. nothing or the Bazooka.

 

[PrinceValium]

Re: Reusing an old Sub for the boat (8" Bazooka tube)

I also have a 8" Bazooka 100 Watt sub that I am going to mount in the same location. I am also debating putting it in the engine compartment for more of a boom box effect. The sub is still sitting in the garage...have other things going on to do that just yet.

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Reusing an old Sub for the boat (8" Bazooka tube)

In the back compartment you might get plenty of good sound still - the side rod locker areas aren't sealed from the engine really... also have sound from ski locker since that is also open to the engine.

hope to get my walkway speaker mounted this week...i'll update the 'front speaker' thread with how it sounds (6.5 jensen). I think that would be a good location for a smaller sub.