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Author Topic:   Audio Amplifiers

endus posted 10-15-2014 10:23 AM ET (US)
The stereo audio reproduction system on our 2004 Montauk 170 needs work, and I'm thinking of having the hole for the current head unit glassed over. Most of the terminals on the speakers are broken, and the head unit is a Jensen that, while still functional, does not really fall anywhere in my typical head unit brand preferences. It looks like the Jensen unit is a 1.8 DIN as well, which is annoying and limits my selection.
I am also thinking about replacing the nav on the boat with something newer, and I noticed that Garmin has the Meteor unit that (seems to) allow you to control the stereo using the nav interface. I like the idea, but I haven't seen much in the way of reviews or experiences using it.
Does anyone have the garmin meteor setup, and how is it?
Has anyone put a 7" nav unit on a Montauk, how did it fit?
Having had the equivalent automotive unit, I really wish I could get my hands on an Alpine IDA-X100M but, barring that, are there any other head units people really like?
[Give your] opinion on glassing up the current hole and going single DIN?
jimh posted 10-15-2014 05:10 PM ET (US)
I recommend you remove the existing amplifier and speakers from the boat. Repair the hole in the console. Mount a new amplifier in a cooler. Mount new speakers in the cooler. Mount a small 12-Volt battery to power them. You will have a nice portable audio reproduction system. Make a connector so you can run the cooler audio system off the boat's 12-Volt battery and re-charge the cooler battery when the boat engine is running.
Ridge Runner posted 10-15-2014 10:07 PM ET (US)
Yes you should glass up the console and get back the console real estate. There is another option for your audio system. In 2005 Whaler started making an mounting plate that fits behind your console door. Whaler part number 1782124.
You can see it on the console parts diagram - part number 65: http://whalerparts.com/Diagrams/2005/170%20Montauk/170MTK-binder5. pdf#page=7
This should retro fit into your console, I added it to my 2005 and 2002 170 Montauk. It allows you to mount a normal single DIN head unit into the console. Besides freeing up console space this also gets the stereo out of the weather. I would pick a head unit with small wired or wireless remote that can be mounted on the console.
That Alpine unit was a great marine units to bad they discontinued it. Depending on what your looking for the Rockford Fosgate RFX9901DM unit might fit the bill.
At the upper end is the Fusion MS-IP700i ($999) it is very interesting - this has NMEA 2000 connectivity and can link to and be controlled via a NMEA display device it also has an internal docking station for Apple devices. The Fusion MS-RA205 Marine Stereo also is NMEA 2000 compliant and at $400 is more affordable.
For speakers I always use JL Audio marine speakers.
endus posted 10-16-2014 09:29 AM ET (US)
Jim - Thats an awesome idea, actually. It would be perfect for beaching. I will probably have to stick with something mounted in the boat, though. I have never been known for, "travelling light" and unfortunately the front cooler is used for food/drinks, and then we have a large cooler aft which we use for gear. To redeem myself somewhat, it's mostly safety stuff in there...life jackets, chart book, handheld VHF and battery powered nav lights, etc. :)
My plan is to use the boat to camp on various islands and places up in Maine, so the gear load probably won't get reduced any time soon.
Ridge Runner - That looks awesome! I think I will do just that. I like the idea of getting it out of the weather...its not something I'm going to use all the time and when I do I don't need it accessible every second. The wireless remote would work perfectly. Not having it in the console gives me the option of slightly less weather resistant head units too.
My center console is getting crowded, and may get more crowded if we wind up getting the HO etec and need to put the oil reservoir in there, but that's OK!
There's a board glassed in to the front of the center console where the amp for the current system is mounted, so I should be able to mount an amp there if I feel like I need it.
I will check out that Rockford Fosgate, and JL is absolutely the call for speakers. I have used JL's in automotive applications for years and they sound great and are very well made. Never had a single issue with them.
Ridge Runner posted 10-16-2014 08:56 PM ET (US)
endus - my 2005 170 Montauk has an E-Tec 115HO and the remote oil tank is mounted in the center console along with two Sears Platinum Marine AGM batteries. It all fits nice and tidy.
endus posted 10-17-2014 09:09 AM ET (US)
Nice, yea, I installed the second battery the previous owner gave us as soon as I bought the boat. The repowering is my father's decision, though, and he isn't as inclined to the H.O. option as I am. :)
I would actually rather have the oil res in there than under the cowl, but it's his call.
I think ultimately the dealer is going to make the final recommendation based on how things will fit. Given what you just told me, and the fact that the H.O. is more expensive, I have hope that we'll wind up with that one now.


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Author	Topic: Audio Amplifiers
endus	posted 10-15-2014 10:23 AM ET (US) The stereo audio reproduction system on our 2004 Montauk 170 needs work, and I'm thinking of having the hole for the current head unit glassed over. Most of the terminals on the speakers are broken, and the head unit is a Jensen that, while still functional, does not really fall anywhere in my typical head unit brand preferences. It looks like the Jensen unit is a 1.8 DIN as well, which is annoying and limits my selection. I am also thinking about replacing the nav on the boat with something newer, and I noticed that Garmin has the Meteor unit that (seems to) allow you to control the stereo using the nav interface. I like the idea, but I haven't seen much in the way of reviews or experiences using it. Does anyone have the garmin meteor setup, and how is it? Has anyone put a 7" nav unit on a Montauk, how did it fit? Having had the equivalent automotive unit, I really wish I could get my hands on an Alpine IDA-X100M but, barring that, are there any other head units people really like? [Give your] opinion on glassing up the current hole and going single DIN?
jimh	posted 10-15-2014 05:10 PM ET (US) I recommend you remove the existing amplifier and speakers from the boat. Repair the hole in the console. Mount a new amplifier in a cooler. Mount new speakers in the cooler. Mount a small 12-Volt battery to power them. You will have a nice portable audio reproduction system. Make a connector so you can run the cooler audio system off the boat's 12-Volt battery and re-charge the cooler battery when the boat engine is running.
Ridge Runner	posted 10-15-2014 10:07 PM ET (US) Yes you should glass up the console and get back the console real estate. There is another option for your audio system. In 2005 Whaler started making an mounting plate that fits behind your console door. Whaler part number 1782124. You can see it on the console parts diagram - part number 65: http://whalerparts.com/Diagrams/2005/170%20Montauk/170MTK-binder5. pdf#page=7 This should retro fit into your console, I added it to my 2005 and 2002 170 Montauk. It allows you to mount a normal single DIN head unit into the console. Besides freeing up console space this also gets the stereo out of the weather. I would pick a head unit with small wired or wireless remote that can be mounted on the console. That Alpine unit was a great marine units to bad they discontinued it. Depending on what your looking for the Rockford Fosgate RFX9901DM unit might fit the bill. At the upper end is the Fusion MS-IP700i ($999) it is very interesting - this has NMEA 2000 connectivity and can link to and be controlled via a NMEA display device it also has an internal docking station for Apple devices. The Fusion MS-RA205 Marine Stereo also is NMEA 2000 compliant and at $400 is more affordable. For speakers I always use JL Audio marine speakers.
endus	posted 10-16-2014 09:29 AM ET (US) Jim - Thats an awesome idea, actually. It would be perfect for beaching. I will probably have to stick with something mounted in the boat, though. I have never been known for, "travelling light" and unfortunately the front cooler is used for food/drinks, and then we have a large cooler aft which we use for gear. To redeem myself somewhat, it's mostly safety stuff in there...life jackets, chart book, handheld VHF and battery powered nav lights, etc. :) My plan is to use the boat to camp on various islands and places up in Maine, so the gear load probably won't get reduced any time soon. Ridge Runner - That looks awesome! I think I will do just that. I like the idea of getting it out of the weather...its not something I'm going to use all the time and when I do I don't need it accessible every second. The wireless remote would work perfectly. Not having it in the console gives me the option of slightly less weather resistant head units too. My center console is getting crowded, and may get more crowded if we wind up getting the HO etec and need to put the oil reservoir in there, but that's OK! There's a board glassed in to the front of the center console where the amp for the current system is mounted, so I should be able to mount an amp there if I feel like I need it. I will check out that Rockford Fosgate, and JL is absolutely the call for speakers. I have used JL's in automotive applications for years and they sound great and are very well made. Never had a single issue with them.
Ridge Runner	posted 10-16-2014 08:56 PM ET (US) endus - my 2005 170 Montauk has an E-Tec 115HO and the remote oil tank is mounted in the center console along with two Sears Platinum Marine AGM batteries. It all fits nice and tidy.
endus	posted 10-17-2014 09:09 AM ET (US) Nice, yea, I installed the second battery the previous owner gave us as soon as I bought the boat. The repowering is my father's decision, though, and he isn't as inclined to the H.O. option as I am. :) I would actually rather have the oil res in there than under the cowl, but it's his call. I think ultimately the dealer is going to make the final recommendation based on how things will fit. Given what you just told me, and the fact that the H.O. is more expensive, I have hope that we'll wind up with that one now.