Which cockpit speaker for vhf

[markhomer]

Dont particularilyfancy making big holes , i have a raymarine 54e and it has been suggested a icom sp 24 would fit the job , any ideas experience .

Cheers

 

[Poey50]

Dont particularilyfancy making big holes , i have a raymarine 54e and it has been suggested a icom sp 24 would fit the job , any ideas experience .

Cheers

I installed a Standard Horizon MLS-300 last year. Very pleased with it. A solid unit and excellent sound.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

I have this surface mounted, 5” hole, clear sound. It’s okay, not intrusive looking but it needs a backing box on the inside of the bulkhead as it protrudes about 3” into the saloon.

https://www.gaelforcemarine.co.uk/Mobile/en/V-Tronix-Deck-Watch-Weather-Proof-Speaker/m-m-3882.aspx

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Any speaker should be fine if you keep water off it. That simply means a membrane or screen in front of it - its not hi-fi and voice frequencies are easy for speakers. On our old boat I use an ancient speaker that gave plug in sound output for a very early PC. Its stuck in an upside down drinks bottle in the side alcove by the helm and 10 years later I see little reason to upgrade as there is still room for my tea mug. When/if I was to fit a commercial marinised unit on our other boat I would go for neatness in the cockpit and trust other performance would be fine.

 

[Praxinoscope]

I fitted a Vitronic vhf deck speaker to my last boat, and will probably do the same on my new one, the only problem is that it requires a 114mm hole to fit it flush, which you may prefer not to do.

 

[DJE]

Stuck one of these under the helmsman's seat a couple of years ago. Still going strong.

https://www.force4.co.uk/force-4-weatherproof-bracket-mounted-vhf-speaker.html?sqr=speaker&

 

[johnalison]

I fitted a Vitronic vhf deck speaker to my last boat, and will probably do the same on my new one, the only problem is that it requires a 114mm hole to fit it flush, which you may prefer not to do.

I have had a Vtronix speaker on my last two boats, with an on/off switch. The hole doesn't seem that large once installed since it is nearly flush, and it is better quality than some of the cheaper ones that used to be around. I just drilled a few holes and cut it out with a padsaw.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

There are speakers that can be bonded onto GRP, say at the back of a coaming. They transmit sound through the coaming, so no holes required. I don’t remember details but some on here have trialed these devices. Assuming the sound is okay, that would meet your no holes criteria.

Hopefully this will prompt a response from the better informed.

 

[jwilson]

Already having two speakers mounted in the cockpit for FM radio/CD I briefly contemplated putting a VHF speaker into the forward face of the GRP binnacle mount - then remembered that speakers usually have quite powerful magnets and it would be within a foot of the compass.

Check it's effect on the compass before you cut any holes...... Or compasses if you also have an fluxgate one for the autopilot.

 

[Plum]

Dont particularilyfancy making big holes , i have a raymarine 54e and it has been suggested a icom sp 24 would fit the job , any ideas experience .

Cheers

No experience of that one, but for a fairly small hole I fitted one of these over 10 years ago and is still perfect. https://cpc.farnell.com/visaton/2128/speaker-3-3-25w-full-range/dp/LS02088?st=Waterproof speaker

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[fastjedi]

My desire to avoid making holes resulting in trawling Ebay looking at Bluetooth devices last weekend. It would necessitate 'rewiring' a stereo transmitter for mono at the VHF end + a standard waterproof Bluetooth speaker in the cockpit.

 

[Tomahawk]

I have an ICOM base station in the cabin

It is fitted with a handheld mike extension that can be mounted in the cockpit. The mike offers all the functionality of the base station including a speaker. It means I can call up without leaving the deck. Very useful.