Speaker hole in cockpit: what to do?

bobber · #1 (**permalink**) 09-20-2011

This 27 foot sailboat has a speaker mounted low in the cockpit. For better seaworthiness, I think the speaker should be removed and the hole sealed. Any recommendations?? Or would you leave it like it is? The boat will be sailed in San Francisco Bay.

chrisncate · #2 (**permalink**) 09-20-2011

Fill and fair it out. West system thickened with 407 over a wood plug coated in glass and epoxy.

Imo.

Hartley18 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-20-2011

What CnC says.. The glass and epoxy goes on top.

This should help you get started: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...tml#post736826

PaulinVictoria · #4 (**permalink**) 09-20-2011

It looks a bit weedy, you need at least a 12" sub with around 500w powering it.

Minnewaska · #5 (**permalink**) 09-20-2011

Personally, I would not worry in the slightest about its impact on seaworthiness. If I was, it would be much easier to fashion a cover over it, than to repair the hole.

H and E · #6 (**permalink**) 09-20-2011

If it were me, I would make a wood or plastic cover. Mount it with silicone or other water proof adhesive. Decorate it to your taste or paint to match. Making a fiberglass repair will be a lot of work and unless expertly done may not look very good.

lans0012 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-20-2011

I have speakeres mounted like that in my Cal 27 and I don't worry about the seaworthyness aspect. The speakers could let water in if your entire cockpit was flooded. If you are planning an offshore passage maybe you should cut out some 6-7" squares of Starboard, remove the speakers and screw in and seal the starboard. You might even be able to use the same holes for the speakers. Keep the speakers so that you can put them back in later.

I mostly sail in Tampa Bay and one day coastal hops. So I'm not concerned. If I was going to cross the gulf or something I would take them out and screw in the starboard sections. It'll probably cost you about $20 for the starboard and take all of 5 minutes to install once you have them cut. It will look good too and not require painting. You could glue a rubber gasket around the starboard and you would be all dialed in.

Faster · #8 (**permalink**) 09-20-2011

Sail the boat a while and see how often you actually fill the cockpit.... then you'll know if it's really going to be much of a problem.

I reckon there are thousands of boats out there similarly set up....

apogee1mars · #9 (**permalink**) 09-20-2011

Mount the speakers on the INSIDE of the holes. That way the outside surface is flush for screwing in a butch plate if you go to weather. Get some better speakers, the damage is done.

JonEisberg · #10 (**permalink**) 09-20-2011

Is the speaker still in use, or would you prefer to keep that option?

A quick and easy method would be to find an appropriately sized screw-in deck plate, like those from Beckson...

For an offshore boat, that's the ideal method for installing cockpit speakers, anyway - recessed behind a removable deck plate that can be installed for heavy weather, and to protect the speakers from the elements when not in use...

At any rate, I'd be inclined to cover that up, and make sure that cockpit locker lid is gasketed or reasonably well sealed, as well... If there is any inshore body of water where a 27-footer stands a decent chance of getting knocked down or pooped, it would be San Francisco Bay... (grin)