Best Place for Sub location on 21i

[Drocke8921]

I am going to add an amp and sub to my system and want to know where the best place to install the sub is on this model boat. any suggestions?

[spharis]

Driver's kick panel is a popular choice.

[Drocke8921]

secure the sub right to the panel? or use some sort of enclosure?

[dogbert]

secure the sub right to the panel? or use some sort of enclosure?

Depends on the sub you use. If you secure it to the driver kick panel, use a free-air sub. An enclosed sub will sound better. I used a free-air sub and it sounds great.

[Drocke8921]

So if I go with an enclosure, which is my preference so as not to cut up my boat, where should I place it? Are there any sizes that work better than others? Has anyone put it in the storage compartment under passenger seat?

[philwsailz]

So if I go with an enclosure, which is my preference so as not to cut up my boat, where should I place it? Are there any sizes that work better than others? Has anyone put it in the storage compartment under passenger seat?

The location of the sub enclosure is not too critical, as the wavelengths of the frequencies produced are pretty long; often it is hard to tell where the sub is located by ear.

HOWEVER....

A subwoofer has a lot of "tactile" action when installed in a boat. I.e, you can feel it if you are close to it or over it. Some passengers really enjoy the experience, (there is a hint here).

If you are on the boat a lot alone, consider placing it where you can feel it. If you have guests on the boat a lot, consider placing it where they can take advantage of it. I find that under the sun lounge, where "folks" tend to sunbathe is a good place.

As for sound, one can usually hear a subwoofer better if it is not in another enclosure. So, if you are going to put it in a compartment, consider providing some kind of "leak" for the sound to be heard, or put it somewhere where you can or are comfortable cutting a hole. Often times, we find that cutting an extra speaker hole and covering it with a spare speaker grill works pretty good. Use a plastic ring covered with blackdouble-knit material, AKA grill cloth behind the grill to keep the look clean.

As for marine subwoofer enclosures, there is only one on the market specifically and truly designed and built for the marine environment as we speak, and that one is the Kicker SKM10. It is a 150 watt RMS 300 watt peak-power-handling sealed enclosure that is totally water-proof, completely sealed, and will even float if you throw it in the water. Most amplifiers today are good down to two-ohms, so you could run two of them, one in each of your favorite locations...

[philwsailz]

secure the sub right to the panel? or use some sort of enclosure?

I should add:

If you want to do something different than the sealed enclosure mentioned above, right in front of the helm is a popular option, and many people opt for a free air woofer right there, with good results, as has been shared on another post in this thread.

That being said, it is fairly easy to add an enclosure to the toe panel, inside of the starboard storage in front of the driver. for a typical free-air 10" woofer, around 1.5 cubit feet is a good volume to shoot for.

Build the box so that the hole in its front lines up with the hole in the toe panel. Then you can fasten the box to the toe panel, inside of the storage. Use some sort of gasket to assure a real good seal. Then just install the woofer and grill. Be sure to use a material other than MDF for the box, (absorbs moisture easily) plywood is a good choice. Also, if you can paint it with something inside and out, it will stand up better still. MAny have used spray in bed liner material with good results.

Any woofer, even a free-air woofer will most often sound better with a box attached, and the woofer will handle more power before getting sloppy too.

[chpthril]

So if I go with an enclosure, which is my preference so as not to cut up my boat, where should I place it? Are there any sizes that work better than others? Has anyone put it in the storage compartment under passenger seat?

Feel around the carpet covering the bulkhead under the drivers console. For a couple of years now tige has been perforating the wall for the subs. From there, cut out the carpet circle, and "connect the dots" with a sabre saw and mount the sub. No worries, it's not much of a structural wall.

[Drocke8921]

Thanks for the info. I should check back with this forum more often. I hadnt realized there were more responses.