Can i install a car radio/cd player onto my boat?

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geardownthreegreens

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Hi Guys

I need to replace the radio/cassette unit thats currently in my boat for a radio/cd player, but can i fit a normal car system or does it need to be a special marine version?
Whats the difference? plus it is covered with the standard plastic pull down flap so it does'nt get wet.


Any thoughts guys?

Cheers
si
 
To Be honest,

The answer is yes! If you get a cheap non-marine one it will need replacing faster as it will deteriorate. The water proof cover will protect it a little but the damp still gets in.

Make sure you get one with Active Control that will cover CD jumping as you go over the waves. For me save cash get a cheap one and throw it away every year. Alternatively remove it in the winter and you should get two seasons!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
No special marine ones. There are caravanny ones that major on their ability to run on 12v, but they are weird unknown brands. Of the normal brands, Toshiba and (some) Sony run on 12vdc whereas many other makes need odd voltages like 17v or whatever, or have no external power brick so need 240v supply
 
Never noticed that on our boat TVs (mix of sony and toshiba flatties). If you unplug TV at home you dont lose the channel memory do you? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
How wet is your boat then?

I've had an ordinary car radio/tape player in my boat for 20 years (they didn't have cheap CD players then). It was second hand when I installed it & it is still going fine.

So, great, if you need to spend the money, or want to be flash or the boat is always slewing in water then get a marine radio. If, like me you are a cheapskate (ie like value for money) or have a used one available, it should last 20 years or so - which is probably longer than many of today's MoBos!
 
Why thankyou very much men.

A cheap one it will be and i've already looked on ebay and there's loads of cheap ones there. I dont moor the boat up so no chance of salty sea air getting into it and i can always remove it in Winter plus i'm like Searush, a bit tight :-)

Appreciated as always guys

Si
 
I have an Aldi MP3/Bluetooth etc... only cost €70

However I did get 'marine' speakers. I decided to spend a few quid and get decent ones. Got them from eBay US. Didn't get stung for Customs as the value of them over there was $70 ... The cheapest I could get them online in the UK was £90

Wiring is very simple if you have just 2 speakers and power (ie. no amp).

One thing if your stereo location is quite exposed buy one of these:
mrh211w.jpg
 
my TV holds the memory when disconnected but the radio doesn't, i suppose if I had a mains radio, I could leave it plugged in and keep the memories, RCD says radio should not be hot wired to battery, stupid really, I leave dehumidifyer and tube heaters on all the time
 
Ah right, understnad now. Sorry, I was thinking TV not radio. Yep, car radios have a 2nd +ve wire that you connect to a permanent 12v source, to maintain the memory. Hmm, you could hotwire it to the battery or I suppose it is so fast to tune radios these days (using the search button) that it doesn't matter if the memory is wiped
 
Re: Can I install a car radio/cd player onto my boat?

Anyone experience aerial probs with their onboard radio/CD? Reception is pretty naff on mine, so recommendations for what works and best location welcome (no mast tho . . .
 
[ QUOTE ]
How wet is your boat then?

[/ QUOTE ]

I should imagine jfm's squaddie doesn't tend to get too wet on the inside /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Hardly a little bowrider /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Re: Can I install a car radio/cd player onto my boat?

You can buy an amplified ariel at most car factors that wires into the 12v radio fuse and these give a really good reception, even with it down in the cabin.
 
I think most installations would be car radios but suggest not going for a CD (they don't enjoy bashing up and down and it is good to have music while you are on the move) I use an ipod with a wireless link. The Griffin is a good one. Also saves blocking up space storing your CD collection.
 
Yup, we dont get too much sea inside:-)

Ref the suggestion to use an amplified aerial, I second that and fitted these things to all our car radio/DVD units, cheap as chips and powered off the 12v feed to the radio unit. I fitted them inside the boat (behind the wardrobe linings in the cabins, frinstance) and they work fine as GRP hull sides seems to be transaprent to VHF radio waves. http://www.deals-on-ice.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=136

And I agree DavidJ's suggestion re iPod. We have got rid of all the CDs on the boat and just use an iPod which we can plug in on the flybridge or saloon. Guests/charter guests can be told to bring their own iPod, which they all like

PS I have changed avatar for a while just so you can play spot the difference with Alistairr's :-)
 
We've also always had a car-stereo on our boat with no problems. I'm actually currently planning to install an additional amplifier and a 10 in subwoofer. I'm not planning an outdoor disco, but quality sound when in marina.

Both are meant for car use but they'll be fine in a boat, I'm sure.
 
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