Boat radio

[aznbassman]

I have a single console skeeter and I was thinking about installing a radio so that when I'm out on the water I can listen to my iPod. Any suggestions on where to mount the head unit and the speakers? And also should I connect the radio to my cranking battery or one of my two trolling batteries? Pictures would be great help. Thanks

[jaredpointer]

I've thought about the same thing in my boat - a single console Astro.

I think I would use a hang on style mount to put it under the console. Not sure where I'd put my speakers - I hate to cut on the console or other fiberglass areas.

Regarding wiring it in - If you had two trolling motor batteries wired together for 24V, could you run the radio to one of them?

[basshole45]

no use the cranking battery ,,, And you can put a side mount or you can even mount underneath its kinda hard to mess with without bending over but its out of sight from ppl walking by and if you use an ipod or have a remote its no biggie anyway,,as far as speakers if you dont want to put holes in the boat you can get enclosed boxes and mount ina locker /under seats that type of thing.The holes arent so bad especially if you have quality speakers ,installed in a blank spot on the boat they actually look good,i put one in front of my console,,one under the console,one on the side near the passenger seat and a 10 inch sub in the front of the rod locker i can turn on and off from the amp and remote Tad overkill but it sounds good

[aznbassman]

Do you have a switch wired to your radio? My only fear is that I would drain my cranking battery.

[Olddawg]

You wire it in with you master shut off switch.....if you buy a radio with a wired remote you can mount the unit in a locker and out of the way. Just mount the remote on your dash or under the dash and you are all set.

[dough4200]

If all you want to do is listen to ipod while fishing, I would just buy a pair of external speakers ~$20. I have a pair and they work great. Also, uses no battery whatsoever, just plug into the ipod.

[SoonerFan]

I didn't use a head unit at all. I mounted a JBL Marine amp in my rod locker....

Then mounted two JBL 6X9 speakers up under the consoles where they will out of the way of weather and thieving eyes....

I run the system with either my iPod or iPhone directly to the amp with a 3.5mm to RCA patch cord...

[Phoenix Ed]

I just did the same thing as Soonerfan, except I used indoor/outdoor speakers under my consoles. Dual's help. I mounted an amp and am using a cord like he did to run my Ipod. Works like a charm. I ran my power directly to my cranking battery and ran a remote on wire to the fuse panel. If my master switch is on, I have power to the amp. I am going to add a switch to kill the amp if I don't want it on. Spent around $100 all total.