Water under Bow Seats and where to put speakers

[Waterski-Rebel]

I am getting ready to add some Bow speakers to my boat (Thanks Dogbert), and was scoping it out earler. My first thought was to put them at "B", but after I lifted the seats, and pulled out my kids jackets, I noticed a bunch of water in there. I then checked the other side, and same thing. One of the jackets has a bunch of white fuzzy mold on it. I didn't take a bunch of water over the bow, but have noticed after backing the boat into the garage, the bow area's carpeting was really wet. My driveway is really steep, could backing the boat up it, cause all of the water to go up to the bow? What gives? Why is this happening? What should I do to stop it?

Also, due to the water issues, I was thinking about mounting them in at "A" now. I think this will be more difficult to do, but wanted to get some feedback before I installed them. (Which has been delayed to next week, due to UPS. )

[talltigeguy]

They cannot be heard nearly as well down low. I vote for A.

You must open up every compartment in the front after every trip or you will get mold. I think you are lucky if you don't have the stinky cat pee variety of mold. Even just people sitting there after swimming will drip enough water that you need to open those compartments.

CHPthrl lined his with truck bed liner to get rid of the mold problem. THat is one of many potential projects on my list.

[stoddardk]

I agree will Tall, except I would install them closer to the bow's tip (i.e. near the jackets in the picture). You could very easitly have someone sitting in the bow right in front of where "A" is.

[Waterski-Rebel]

Tall/Stoddardk - Good points, I wonder if I can reach the back of them there?? I will have to look at see

As far as the water, I looked again, and I don't see any sort of drain in there. That is crazy. I think that is my first complaint about this boat. I have been amazed at the way Tige has done so many things so far, and I run into this!! So what good is that storage? I can't keep jackets in there, they will mold. I can't put my anchor in there, it's too big for those holes.

What's the best way to kill all mold that might be growing now? Should I dry it out, and then spray something in there??

[dogbert]

BTW, the seat backs will most likely be mounted with deck screws between the seams just above A.

[xpjim1]

I pull everything out and lift the seats after everytrip. I might even pull out the wet dry vac.

[jleger98]

I know its probably a different design, but on my boat, if you take the front seat covers off ("A") there are already speaker holes cut in the fiberglass. All I would have to do is to cut a hole in the seatback. Not sure if your boat would have same.

[xpjim1]

it looks like A is fiberglass. cant remember in the switch though

[Waterski-Rebel]

Hmm.... I'll dig around tomorrow and see if I can find any pre-cut holes. I will try to be careful, and not rip my hand on the deck screws. If there are holes, do I just cut through the seatbacks? Seem's kinda risky.

As far as the water, I think I am going to leave those storage areas empty. I will pull them open everytime I put the boat in the garage, so they can dry them out.

[dogbert]

Looking at your picture a little closer, it looks like the area labeled A is fiberglass? If so, just disregard what I said about the seatback mounts. I'd just use a hole saw to cut an opening for the speakers.

[jleger98]

I'm with Dog on this one. if that is indeed fiberglass, just drill a small pilot hole where you want the speakers to go, then use a jigsaw or some other power tool to cut the right size hole and you're all set.

If its cusion, then ultimately you'll have to cut a hole in the seatback in the exact same place the hole in the fiberglass is. MAKE SURE you leave plenty of vinyl to overlap, otherwise it will pull out from behind the speaker and look like cr@p.

[dogbert]

Yeah, if it is vinyl, I'd consider not putting them there. Unless you really know what you're doing with vinyl cushions, it will look like cr@p.

...oh yeah, forget the jig saw or rotozip. Use a holesaw. It'll do the job just fine and look much better.

[Fit to be Tige]

I don't currently have speakers in the bow, but I do have the pre-cut holes in my bow, hidden under the side cushions (mounted with screws). So, mounting the speakers would be easy, but re-working that cushion / vinyl does sound like I might need to take it to a shop. Whadaya think?

[Fit to be Tige]

Sorry, I missed one of the comments above. So are you guys saying it's easy, just leave plenty of overlap or would you take it someplace?

[da.bell]

"A" is the better spot.

The hole that jleger98 is talking about is a hole for accessing the various wires and cleats that can be put up in the bow. However, there are many people that also use them as speaker holes.