242 stereo upgrade coming soon!

[OperationROL]

That is a beautiful install!!!!!

 

[Jasonsbiz74]

As I am waiting for my equipment to get here this week, I am wondering on which side of the tower does the speaker wire run up the side of the tower ? I ordered a set of JL 8.8 tower speakers and besides the time this as my next challenge.

 

[MattFX4]

Pretty sure on the starboard side. I noticed the wire while putting tower down yesterday.

 

[MattFX4]

Do you guys think 1/2" starboard would be strong enough for amps? Or is 3/4" recommended?

 

[Mainah]

@MattFX4 - My opinion is that it depends on the span between the mounting bolts. I am happy with the 3/4 for where I mounted mine but 1/2 would be iffy there. 1/2 inch will hold screws for the amps just fine if that is your concern. Regardless of thickness I recommed drilling smaller diameter pilot holes for screws into HDPE (high density polyethleyne aka Starboard) then you would if using wood.

I hope to wrap up my install tomorrow night and take more photos. Was able to have everything connected and play with the gains on Sunday. Sounds so much better and louder than before. Only thing I would do different is go with a better sub (used a Polk 1040db). I still want a bit more felt bass. That said I do have some slight deflection of my outer hull behind the sub mounting location (mounted like the 242x but opposite side). I am going to epoxy encase aluminum bar to the inside of the outer hull behind the sub to prevent any possible spider cracking and tighten up the reverb caused by the hull deflection.

 

[MattFX4]

Ordered a piece of 24x24x1/2" black hpde yesterday. I plan to mount behind bow cushion wall area under the helm. I think 1/2" will do since it will be secured to a surface, and no long spans between mounting points. Want to get this install started, but leaving for Miami tomorrow. Not enough time!!

 

[MattFX4]

Finally got my piece of Starboard in and trying to figure best way to lay everything out.

 

[MattFX4]

I positioned the amp mounting board under the helm and not sure how to go about removing bow seat back cushion. The screws come through from the bow. I also thought about getting some L shaped brackets and mounting it to floor and letting top of board rest on the inside outer wall of the boat. I would think stiff brackets would keep it from moving.

 

[OperationROL]

I positioned the amp mounting board under the helm and not sure how to go about removing bow seat back cushion. The screws come through from the bow. I also thought about getting some L shaped brackets and mounting it to floor and letting top of board rest on the inside outer wall of the boat. I would think stiff brackets would keep it from moving.

Removing the seat back is simple. The screws that you see and pictured above are for brackets that don't get removed. The seat pushes down on them and hangs on them. The screws that you will need to remove are at the bottom of the cushions from the front side. You will need to push up a little on the bottom of the cushions to see the screws. Once you remove all the bottom screws, you will simply push the cushions up off of the top brackets. Reinstalling is just the opposite.

 

[MattFX4]

Ahh. Well thanks! Would of never figured it out!

 

[Jasonsbiz74]

Removing the seat back is simple. The screws that you see and pictured above are for brackets that don't get removed. The seat pushes down on them and hangs on them. The screws that you will need to remove are at the bottom of the cushions from the front side. You will need to push up a little on the bottom of the cushions to see the screws. Once you remove all the bottom screws, you will simply push the cushions up off of the top brackets. Reinstalling is just the opposite.

Honestly, that what I love about this site....complete strangers helping each other out. I found it Odd yet comforting to know that I can come here and learn, read, stalk or chat with ppl with the same interests. I would have been looking around for ever to get that seat back off.

@MattFX4 I'm doing an amp board that will come up from the floor an attach to the helm area. It will have space behind it for the wires to run and also allow air to move around behind it all. I don't like the idea of covering all the behind the helm wires, tubes and limiting the access. I've seen a few installs that look amazing mounted that way though. I saw one that was amazing ! My other choice is behind the seat and I like that spot because it is up off the floor. So here I am again at a cross roads......keep me posted on your install. I will start mine next week as my tower speakes were on back order and they should be here by Friday

 

[MattFX4]

Honestly, that what I love about this site....complete strangers helping each other out. I found it Odd yet comforting to know that I can come here and learn, read, stalk or chat with ppl with the same interests. I would have been looking around for ever to get that seat back off.

@MattFX4 I'm doing an amp board that will come up from the floor an attach to the helm area. It will have space behind it for the wires to run and also allow air to move around behind it all. I don't like the idea of covering all the behind the helm wires, tubes and limiting the access. I've seen a few installs that look amazing mounted that way though. I saw one that was amazing ! My other choice is behind the seat and I like that spot because it is up off the floor. So here I am again at a cross roads......keep me posted on your install. I will start mine next week as my tower speakes were on back order and they should be here by Friday

Will do. Also thinking of mounting to floor vertically and attaching to helm similar to what you're describing. My concern about mounting to seat back is the screws that are already there. I would have to put some type of rubber spacers in to offset the amp board away from the seat back wall a bit to clear the screws. Mounting to floor and helm seems easier and quicker. I'll let you know what i come up with.

 

[MattFX4]

Making some progress. I think I underestimated how much work this would be. So far I have ran all new 14awg speaker wire to the factory speaker locations so each speaker will have its own channel. Also ran the 4awg amp power and ground wire from the helm area back to the battery compartment. I have pulled 100' of speaker wire so far, and still need to run two more lines for the additional cockpit speakers I will be adding. I highly recommend a fish tape for anyone looking to do this. It has made this job manageable.

Compared the JL mx650's to the stock Polk db651's today,and the Polks look and feel cheap compared to the JL's. I can't wait to hear these things. On the negative side, the JL sport grills require 6 screws, and none of them line up with the oem holes. I will have to drill 6 new holes at each speaker location, which I'm not thrilled about.

 

[MattFX4]

 

[MattFX4]

cutting holes in fiberglass for new speakers....Anyone tried a dremel with cutting attachment? Or would 5" hole saw be better option for the 6.5"s? Sub will require dremel or rotozip.

 

[jawsf16]

@MattFX4 a proper sized hole saw is the absolute best tool for that job. Tape it off with painters tape and run drill in reverse to break the top layer of gel coat. Then normal and go slow to minimize chipping.

 

[2nazt]

If you plan on selling a set of the polks I know a guy, cough cough I need one more set for my swim deck. Install looks good so far and it is a lot of work. Keep it up can't wait to see the end results.

 

[MattFX4]

Made more progress Friday night. Was up to 3 am finishing this job off so I could enjoy the weekend. Got the 8 mx650's in, and the amp. Will have to do sub later.

All I have to say is wow. Just wow. It sounds incredible. I'm currently running 8 JL mx650's off of a JL m800/8v2 amp, and the factory tweeters off the head unit. Night and day difference between now, and the factory stereo. We have no issues at all hearing clear, crisp music even at full throttle. It gets pretty loud of you crank it up! The speakers have pretty good bass as is, and could get by without a sub. I can't wait to hear it with the sub. My only complaint is I am getting a hissing/whining sound when the volume is down low. You can't hear it once music is turned up. Will have to figure that part out.

 

[MattFX4]

Despite some of the noise issues at low volume I mentioned in other post, it sounds great. Still have to add sub. Here's a little clip I made with phone. This is at 50% volume.

 

[KyleWade14]

Made more progress Friday night. Was up to 3 am finishing this job off so I could enjoy the weekend. Got the 8 mx650's in, and the amp. Will have to do sub later.

All I have to say is wow. Just wow. It sounds incredible. I'm currently running 8 JL mx650's off of a JL m800/8v2 amp, and the factory tweeters off the head unit. Night and day difference between now, and the factory stereo. We have no issues at all hearing clear, crisp music even at full throttle. It gets pretty loud of you crank it up! The speakers have pretty good bass as is, and could get by without a sub. I can't wait to hear it with the sub. My only complaint is I am getting a hissing/whining sound when the volume is down low. You can't hear it once music is turned up. Will have to figure that part out.

I have pretty much the same setup, minus 2 speakers, and I have the same hissing sound at low volume with mine also. Haven't had time to investigate it yet. If you figure it out, let me know