[Brian]

Hey fellas

The boat and ski have had their spring tuneups/fluid changes and are ready to go. I was thinking of upgrading our radio from the anemic am/fm cassette to a newer radio with AUX input. Does this radio need to be bought from the boat shop because it listed as Marine use. or can we get one from the auto store? What do you think? We have had our boat three years and never has the dash or radio area ever been wet.
Brian

[mikeyt]

I would simply buy an 'auto' unit unless you leave your boat on the water (or on land) uncovered & exposed to the elements. There are lots of good units out there for under $250. with full i-pod/mp3 player control. You can also buy a separate marine face plate cover to help keep out any stray water. You can see an example from West Marine here.
Speakers on the other hand, might be better bought as 'marine' units but its not absolutely necessary. If you want to upgrade your stereo reception and not install an unsightly antenna (that advertises your stereo to thieves) you can view a glass mount unit made by Shakespeare here. I installed one of these on the side glass of my boat & it really upgraded my FM reception.

[indykoch]

Mikey is right, but I will say a "marine" unit would last longer. They aren't much more, cost wise. They have special, corrosion resistant connectors and potting over the electronics. Remember, even if it doesn't get drenched in water, there's a LOT of humidity in the boat after a days use, then the cover gets put on and traps some of the moisture. I wouldn't expect a standard in-dash to last more than a few years, whereas a marine unit might last 10.

Here I am condoning the marine unit, yet I have a standard one just because I liked the features and price!!

[Bill]

When I got my last boat 22 years ago I put in a car radio with four speakers in my boat with a standard car antena hidden in the side compartment. The glass one sounds like a good idea But ether way my radio is still working great and it was a preaty cheap radio. PS it was not a Mariah, can't wait to get the new boat in the water Z222
Bill

[mikeyt]

Originally Posted by indykoch

Mikey is right, but I will say a "marine" unit would last longer. They aren't much more, cost wise. They have special, corrosion resistant connectors and potting over the electronics. Remember, even if it doesn't get drenched in water, there's a LOT of humidity in the boat after a days use, then the cover gets put on and traps some of the moisture. I wouldn't expect a standard in-dash to last more than a few years, whereas a marine unit might last 10.

Here I am condoning the marine unit, yet I have a standard one just because I liked the features and price!!

Yep, agreed that a 'marine' deck should last longer in a boat than a car deck all things equal. I'm kinda like Bill. I had a standard car unit in my Stingray for 7 yrs and it still worked well when i sold the boat. I've had a Pioneer DEH 4900 in my Mariah for the last 3 yrs & it stays in the boat all winter w/out problems but if there is potential for the unit being exposed to high humidity/moisture or moisture being trapped in the cockpit area for extended lengths of time i might consider spending a little extra on a marine unit. That said, i did install marine speakers in mine as they were somewhat exposed to the kids crawling back into the boat after wakeboarding, swimming etc. I've done the same thing with my outdoor patio speakers at home. Marine speakers just handle the elements much better.

[Brian]

Thanks for all the responses. It will be a standard radio from walmart, best buy or where it happens to happen. The boat goes from the garage to the water and then back to the garage. The only time it sees weather is during boating/trailering. The only time it will get used is when we are in the cove areas eating lunch and then its only as backround. Actually i should take the stereo bezel out and see why i only have the right side speakers working and not the left. The whole bezel is loose at the bottom anyway and maybe the wires pulled apart. The kids always take their ipods when they go and thought a simple upgrade would be nice.

BP