posted 01-30-2006 10:17 AM ET (US)     

Stereo was a MRD60 and speakers (2) were 5104 both by Poly-Planar. Total job time was about 3.5 hours with two people.

The stereo cutout took the longest amount of time. The console is almost 1 inch thick in that area (thicker than most boat's hulls). The trick with this was that the unit had to be mounted below center to provide clearance for the depthfinder. In addition, the ridge on the top of the console gives the appearance that there is greater area to mount the stereo when in fact there is about 1 inch less once the ridge is taken into consideration. I also made the cut left of center to help avoid bumps to the unit from gear/people moving about.

The speaker cuts took much less time since the console is much thinner below the wheel.

The wire runs were easy since the boat was pre-wired comming off of the stereo switch...thank you factory! This made the wire portion very easy and clean.

Original wire/drain tubes in the console did need to be moved before the install. I would reccomend that the dink holder drain tubes be removed prior to any cuts. The shavings/glass will clog the tubes if this is not done.

Attached is a link to the pictures. If you want other pictures let me know and I will try to get them posted.

Here is the link...

pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jmontani@sbcglobal.net/album?.dir=/809f&.src=ph&. tok=phxtMVEBHA7RWAOG

Hope this helps anyone looking to do a similar project.

Jack

posted 01-30-2006 02:52 PM ET (US)         

Thanks for the help and remarks. I figured I would test the waterproof nature of the radio when I was cleaning up and gave it I direct hit with hose. Everything worked fine.

posted 01-30-2006 07:31 PM ET (US)            

What did you use to make the cutouts, jigsaw? for the radio and circular bit for the speakers?

Thks,

posted 01-30-2006 09:54 PM ET (US)         

We did not use a jig saw. The two way cutting of the blade would have caused too much damage to the finish (flakes of gelcoat, chips, etc.) We ended up using a series of pilot holes and a hand saw (cutting on the inward stroke) to make the cut for the radio. We went through 2 blades.

At almost 1 inch of glass, the radio hole took by far the longest but we were able to minimize the finish flaking off on the endges of the cut.

As for the speakers, I didn't have the right hole saw so we made 4 cuts with a smaller hole saw and sanded down to the edge of the pattern.

I am certain that there would have been a faster way but our outcome was just as good by the time the job was done.

posted 01-31-2006 09:59 AM ET (US)         

Thank you. I have received a ton of information from this site (on just about any topic)and I am happy to be able to contribute something of value.

Sal,

I do not think that it will play MP3 CDs. There is an additional adjunct that can be connected to the back for a MP3 player. I would call Poly-Planar to get more information/clarification, their number is 410 761 4000.

The waterproof nature of the unit was my primary concern and I can convert additional music to CD if need be.