Cockpit Speakers for 43' Mason

lbair · #1 (**permalink**) 03-23-2010

Wondering if anyone out there can offer a suggestion as to what type of speakers they put in their Mason and the location..... I have 4 1/2 inches of clearance or I can put them in the gear pocket on each side of the cockpit...Any help is appreciated..

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 03-23-2010

Photos of the mounting area would help, as would a better description of the dimensions available. What do you mean you have 4-1/2" of clearance? Is that a space 4-1/2" in diameter? Is that the depth behind the bulkhead that the speaker can extend?

I'd also point out that if you go with flush mounted speakers, rather than box speakers, you should mount them behind deckplates that can be closed off in heavy weather if they area they mount to opens to the interior of the boat. Two 6" diameter holes can let an awful lot of water into the boat if the boat is pooped or rolled.

svHyLyte · #3 (**permalink**) 03-23-2010

You might also cosider the alternative of battery powered wireless speakers. With the addition of a quick release rail mount, these can be affiexed to either side of your stern pulpit when you want them but otherwise removed and stored when not needed. It'll save wear'n tear on the yacht and the brain damage of running cables.

FWIW...

redline · #4 (**permalink**) 03-23-2010

On my previous boat, a C&C33, I wanted cockpit speakers but couldn't bear the thought of cutting two large holes for that purpose (I know, kind of hypocritical). The port inside surface of the cockpit had a 6" deckplate as an inspection plate for the fuel filler and vent, so I bought another of the same model, cut out the cover only, and epoxied a marine speaker into the remaining threaded ring (there wasn't enough cover plate material left under the speaker's screw holes). I installed a new deck plate on the opposite side, with its own epoxied speaker in a spare deck plate. Kept the original covers "in case". The hardest part was getting the epoxy to bind the speaker to the ring without running on to the cone. Colourful language was involved, as I recall, but all ended well.

cutterorient · #5 (**permalink**) 03-23-2010

Interesting topic that has had me in a funk. I happen to have the same boat with cockpit speakers that do not function. And I like to listen to stuff.

Some previous owner made two cutouts at the apexes (sp?) of the after portion of the coaming of about 4 inches in diameter, on either side of and right behind the helm. While kind of a cool spot it poses a few problems. The mounting surface is not flat, the distance from the coaming cap to the deck is small, and the cutouts which I will not make larger, are small.

So for me the question is more what will fit in there that is water proof and doesn't sound too bad. I think I have found the speaker. Its made by Poly Planar and is luckily not expensive. I will have to fabricate something to make a flat backed speaker mount to a curved surface however.

On that particular boat that is not a bad place, the interior of the coaming that is, to mount. In the event a wave were to blow the cone out and allow water in, it is more or less enclosed ( the coaming is hollow yet frp on four sides and also internaly partitioned. So you might fill the coaming up with water, but you ain't gonna fill the boat up.

You could also make cut outs in the foot well but I don't think I'd be comfortable with that. Water through there goes right into the hull.

Hope it helps.