[torchlake99]

I have a 1999 Tiara Open and would like to add a pair of speakers in our cockpit.  Will be attaching them to the pair in the helm.  Concerned about fishing the wire back to them from the helm area and where people have installed them in the cockpit.  Would like to install them just under the bolsters in the cockpit and forward in the cockpit area.   Concerned about depth of the space between the hole drilled and the outer hull.  

Installing a pair of JL audio speakers, need 3" of space to install them (space between the outer hull and inner fiberglass).

Any advice?

Thanks

Kent

[trit21]

Easiest way to determine the space that is there, if I am understanding where you want to put them, is to remove the screw hatch that is right above the steps and you can see the distance from the inner to the outer hull. This screw hatch is there for access to wiring for the lights I think. At lease I have one there, let me see if I can find a photo of it. 

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[ReelMagic]

Why not install the cockpit speakers on the underside of the arch?. That is where they were located on my 31 Open and are located on my 38 Open.. They are well protected and provide great sound in the cockpit... M2C

[trit21]

Not sure about your 31 Open arch, or even a 99 3500 open arch, but on my 2000 3500 Open the arch is aluminum and it would be a bitch to have to cut that open in order to put a speaker in there. 

[torchlake99]

Thanks for the input.  Can check the arch material when I get back on the boat.  
Thanks
Kent

[ReelMagic]

The arch's on the 31 open and the 38 open are Aluminum. Assume the same for the 35.... It's about 1/8" thick..... I cut the 31 with a saber saw (used reverse cut blade AL cutting blade that cuts on the down stroke vice the upstroke). No damage to the arch and came out quite well... The 238 Open came from Tiara with the speakers in it so I don't know how hard it would be to cut.

[Dakota773]

I mounted a pair of box speaker under the bolsters on my 98 31 Open and they are awesome.  No drilling or hole cutting. They fit a little tight but that's because I added a 2000W amp and needs the extra quality to handle the 250 W/ Channel.  All said though I just screwed them to the bottom (or top if your looking the other way) of the side rail.  The wiring I ran forward and into the combing under the arch. All protected and only a 3/16" hole filled with caulk.  Once under the arch your in the engine compartment and can easily run the wires to your stereo.

You might need to search around for box speakers thin enough (and exterior rated) to fit under the combing, but it's a lot easier than mounting them to the arch. Fusion has some, mine are JBLs, but a few years old.  By  the way my 31 has them in the arch as well, I was adding a 2nd set to get sound in the back while running.

Good luck.

---

FYI, I forgot to note that the speakers are facing down and that the sound reflects almost perfectly off the cockpit floor.  The speakers don't need to face out to get good sound.

[torchlake99]

Thanks all!  Enjoy having choices on location.  Hope to get this done in the next several weeks.

[1999R4]

Thanks all!  Enjoy having choices on location.  Hope to get this done in the next several weeks.

In case you haven't already tackled this I wanted to share where I located mine on my '99.  I replaced the factory speakers that were located at helm and behind the jump seat.  I also added 2 more in the lower cockpit area by removing the inspection plates just above the steps and below the bolsters on each side and mounting the speakers in that location which didn't require any hole to be drilled.  I mounted a sub-woofer in the step box.  All wiring was accessible through the aft-end of the engine room. 

   

This was initially done with MB Quart 6.5" speakers and they fit perfect, just screwed the mounting screws into the plastic collar of the inspection ports after removing cover.  I recently upgraded to JL 7.7's and at same time swapped out the factory fuel fill vents to the flush versions used on the newer boats and I caused me to have to make extension rings (see picture) to extend the speaker out to clear the fuel fill vents on the backside.  These were made from 1" starboard and they don't get in the way at all. 

   

[torchlake99]

Looks great and I'll bet sounds great also.  I did not add the sub, what is your opinion on the addition of the sub vs. just the 2 cockpit speakers?  Smart idea using the inspection plates vs drilling a new hole.  Wish I thought of that.  I also used the JL Audio, what sub did you pick to install and did you add an additional amp for the sub?
thanks
Kent