Marine stereos are audio systems that are built to withstand the harsh conditions of outdoor environments. They are designed for small boats and large ones alike, including for vessels such as yachts, jet skis, motorboats, and others.
However, the marine stereo category also includes units that don’t have to be used outdoors — those that can be installed in campervans, trucks, and other vehicles.
It is a home entertainment system that has been specially designed for use on boats. It’s used to enhance the experience of people who spend their leisure time in boats, whether for fishing, cruising, or partying, and has the larger and advanced type of in-car stereo system common on boats as well.
It is often equipped with specific features that make it easier to run without being affected by adverse weather conditions. Most marine stereos include non-standard connectors and ports to support a direct connection to accessories like MP3 players and laptop computers.
5 Reasons Why You Need a Marine Stereo
A marine stereo is designed to provide music and entertainment while you are out on the water. Whether you’re just hitting the water for the first time with a brand-new boat or you’re an experienced captain, there’s one thing every boat owner must ask themselves: “Should I get a marine stereo?”
The answer is yes. Yes, you should. Here are five reasons why getting a marine stereo system is the right decision.
1. Entertainment
A marine stereo provides an opportunity to listen to your favorite music while you are out on the water. It can also provide background noise and music when you are having friends and family over to have dinner, watching the sunset that is surrounded by a sweet-colored sky or bonfire. Nothing can make you concentrate like staying out on the open seas by yourself and enjoying your best music.
2. Safety
If there is an emergency, your marine stereo can be used as an SOS signal to get help. You can even use it to amplify your voice so that it carries over longer distances for easier communication.
3. Communication
If you frequently have guests boating with you, then a marine stereo can allow for easier communication between boats so that everyone stays together and has fun in the process.
4. Relaxation
Being able to play soothing music over your marine speakers will help you relax after a long day of boating or working around the house. You’ll be able to enjoy soothing tunes or songs from years past as you sit back and relax after a long day
5. Longevity
Boat audio systems aren’t like car audio systems — they must be able to withstand far harsher conditions to work properly. Marine stereos are built with this in mind and feature durable components that won’t break or malfunction when exposed to moisture from rain or waves at sea.
You can also customize further with water-resistant. Marine stereos provide quality sound that is made to withstand the harsh conditions of being out on the water. Because they are built for boats and water vessels, it is important to choose one that is made of high-quality materials that will last through many years of use.
Also Customization; Marine stereos offer hundreds of customization options to give your boat the audio experience it deserves. You can pair the stereo with multiple speakers and subs to create a concert on the water or opt for a more minimal experience with fewer components. Either way, marine stereos are flexible and can be tailored to your exact specifications.
How To Install A Marine Stereo
Installing a marine stereo is easy to do. The electrical system on a boat is similar to that on a car, but it also has some differences. Now that you have your stereo, it’s time to install it! We’ve put together four easy steps for installing a marine stereo so that you can enjoy listening to music out on the water.
Of course, you will have to decide where you want to mount your marine stereo and all related equipment. If you have a console, this will likely be the best place for your equipment.
However, if your boat doesn’t have a console, consider mounting it somewhere else on board. You can also choose to install it on a pedestal or other surface. It’s up to you!
1. Make Sure You Have All of Your Supplies
The first thing you will have in mind while installing your marine stereo is to make sure you have all of your supplies. This includes things like a bolt cutter, screwdrivers (both flathead and Phillips head), wire strippers, faceplate, an AM/FM antenna, electrical tape, and butt connectors. You may also want to consider purchasing silicone sealant. That way if anything gets wet during installation or in the future, the sealant will help keep all of your wires safe from water damage.
2. Make Sure Your Boat Is Equipped With A Battery
If your boat does not have a battery, we recommend purchasing one if you are looking to add a new marine stereo to your boat or personal watercraft. We suggest getting a deep cycle battery with at least 2 amps. This will ensure that your new stereo can run for long periods without being charged by the engine. You will also want to be sure that your new battery has enough charge capacity for any other electronic devices you may have onboard like fish finders, GPS systems, and lights.
3. Mount The Stereo
Here you go ahead to mount the stereo into your boat. You can use the mounting hardware that came with the stereo or buy some additional hardware at an electronics store or hardware store.
4. Install The Fuse Holder And Connections
Now it’s time to connect all of the wires and other connections to the stereo. The first thing you need to do is install a fuse holder onto one of the power wires from your battery (red wire). Next, connect all of the wires from your speakers, amp, and subwoofer. On most stereos, there will be specific connections for each of these components. Be sure you are connecting these wires to their specific spots so that they are properly installed.
If you want more bass in your music, you can add an amp and/or subwoofer to your system as well. If you’re adding an amp, make sure that it has enough power output for the speakers in your boat. If not, they will sound.
5. Wiring And Connecting The Stereo To A Power Source
Wiring and connecting a stereo to a power source are the two most critical steps in installing a new stereo. If you don’t connect the negative wire properly, or you forget to connect it at all, your radio will not work.
The ground, or negative, side of the stereo is typically black. The positive side is usually red.
Connect the correct wires from the stereo to the corresponding wires of the vehicle’s harness. These are color-coded on both ends for easy identification. Twist each wire around its corresponding wire from the harness and cover each connection with electrical tape. Use butt connectors if changing out the factory stereo. This is the most important part and can be easily done by you.
You should purchase a wiring kit that includes the wire, fuse, and connectors. If you purchased a marine stereo, chances are that it may already come with a wiring kit. The first thing you need to do is disconnect the negative battery cable from the boat’s battery.
Use the wire stripper to remove about half an inch of sheathing from each end of both wires. Then connect them to the speakers and the stereo receiver by the instructions in the manual. Now you should connect each speaker and power wire to their respective outlet on the stereo receiver.
Marine stereos will require more wiring than a standard stereo system because you have to run all the wiring through your boat’s firewall from the engine compartment. The stereo wires should be run in a grommet-protected conduit, but it can be hard to find a conduit that fits properly depending on the mounting of your stereo. It is recommended that you consult a marine stereo installation manual to ensure that you are installing the correct parts for your specific application.
Whenever you think of getting a stereo for your boat, When you have a marine stereo on a boat, you can listen to music much as you would at home while also enjoying the beautiful scenery of your surroundings. Your marine stereo is so important because people who enjoy spending time on the water will spend less time relaxing and more time working if they do not have a means of listening to some good music.
The first step to installing your boat stereo system is finding the right equipment. This can be a little tricky since there are so many different radios, speakers, and other components to choose from. From there, you need to decide where to put everything on your boat.
And then you have to select a good location for your radio, power everything up, and finally go through the process of installing everything. Once you get started with the project, it isn’t all that difficult. Just follow the steps closely, and you’ll be watching the waves roll by in style in no time!