Audio on a small Canal boat

[maillme]

Hi All,

I'd like to get a small sound system in my canal boat - i have a few questions;

1. do i need a special head unit? (the boat has an all weather cover)
2. What would give me the best sound? E.g. do people get amps etc fitted on boats? I'd like a nice sound, not a tinny sound.

I look forward to a reply,

thanks,
neil

 

[rafiki_]

A car head unit will work fine in a small boat. Rafiki has a JVC head unit, with 4 speakers.

 

[prv]

I'm very happy with my Fusion RA-50. Plenty loud enough for a small boat, simple, waterproof. Doesn't take up much space, either on the panel or behind it. Quite happy having the power disconnected, and comes back up in the same mode with the same volume as where you left off, unlike many car stereos. Connects to an iPod, or has a separate aux input and a radio.

There will be cheaper solutions, but this one was very neat and suited to my needs.

Pete

 

[Baddox]

I fitted a good pair of car speakers and connect my ipod and VHF to them via a IC Tripath amp (such as 281013286972). It gives good sound quality and is loud enough to be heard over the engine at full chat.

 

[jrudge]

Just make sure the speakers don't have paper cones. Marine ones are cheap on eBay

 

[intouch1]

Fusion 700 series with 4 Speakers and amp and a Sub should give you plenty.

 

[rafiki_]

Nice kit, but I think a sub on a small canal boat is OTT. It might open up the seams

 

[henryf]

There isn't really an answer to your question. It all depends what you hope to achieve. What might be acceptable to you might not be to someone else and visa versa.

Fitting an amp allows more substantial speakers to be fitted which will shift more air, particularly improving bass delivery. Higher notes don't need such a large amount of power but need very good quality speakers if they are to avoid sounding tinny.

You installation will also have a massive bearing on the final results. Speaker design is extremely complex and so where you choose to locate and house them is vital if you really want the very best sound possible. A narrow boat is potentially an ideal place to start if you want good sounds.

Henry

 

[prv]

A narrow boat is potentially an ideal place to start if you want good sounds.

I was thinking narrowboat at first, but then I realised the OP is in Amsterdam so his idea of a "canal boat" is probably very different to ours! Talking about an "all weather cover" I assume this is a small open "speedboat" type (albeit perhaps without "speedboat" engines).

Pete

 

[maillme]

Thank you all - and sorry for the delay

I basically want a nice sound, that can be loud - but not sound like a radio on the corner of a room. Advice on where to put speakers would be good, here is my boat:

it may be hard to see the seats, but its simply 2 sides of seats, and a removable sundeck/piece of wood that turns it into one surface for sunbathing. I figured the only place I could put the speakers could be the end of the seats, cause anywhere else would be covered whenever the sundeck is on. I'd probablt put the head unit where the steering wheel is located, if space allows (i've no idea how big the steering mechanism is).

http://s12.postimage.org/mu2ndpysd/boat_1.jpg
http://s14.postimage.org/bkqluvg69/boat_2.jpg

thanks,
Neil

 

[rafiki_]

Thank you all - and sorry for the delay

I basically want a nice sound, that can be loud - but not sound like a radio on the corner of a room. Advice on where to put speakers would be good, here is my boat:

it may be hard to see the seats, but its simply 2 sides of seats, and a removable sundeck/piece of wood that turns it into one surface for sunbathing. I figured the only place I could put the speakers could be the end of the seats, cause anywhere else would be covered whenever the sundeck is on. I'd probablt put the head unit where the steering wheel is located, if space allows (i've no idea how big the steering mechanism is).

http://s12.postimage.org/mu2ndpysd/boat_1.jpg
http://s14.postimage.org/bkqluvg69/boat_2.jpg

thanks,
Neil

It depends on how much you wnat to spend. You will get a good sound from a reasonable car head unit from Halfords or Amazon, with a pair of waterproof speakers. Total cist £100 to £150 inc iPod docking facility.

A Fusion unit will cost a fair bit more, sound quality will be similar, but it is specific marine kit.

A car head unit will drive 4 speakers if you wnat it to, 1 or 2 on either side of the boat.

 

[scruff]

If you want to avoid "tinny" sounds and the ability to go loud, best to invest in a decent sound system.

I think installing this on your boat will ensure you make LOADS of friends.

I struggle to think of a downside...