Pics of problem, need advice (speakers)

Could you not use a shim or spacer ring between the speaker and the vinyl? How far off is it?

If it's only 3/4" you should be able to find a nice trim ring to push it out. Do a search IIRC Randy_in_Ohio may have done some upgrades on his +/-93' SN, also do some searches on Planet Nautique, more Stereo upgrades happen over there. Hate to see you cutting up the boat if it's not necessary.

I wouldn't be cutting into the fiberglass in that area if I was you.

Why would someone cut a hole in a boat, that is forever,,,,,,
Kinda like modifying a dash to install a radio,it will never be the same. But whatever turns your crank..............
There is always a PLAN B.......

quinner wrote: Tim, Very interesting, were those cut-outs on your boat done at the factory?

Im not sure, but I suspect that they were.

boat dr wrote: Why would someone cut a hole in a boat, that is forever,,,,,, Kinda like modifying a dash to install a radio,it will never be the same. But whatever turns your crank..............

Reminds me of a 1930 21' Dodge Watercar that I knew about years ago in Three Lakes. The kids cut a hole in the dash for radio/8 track and holes on the inside cockpit trim for the speakers. They even came up with a step up transformer from the 6 to 12 volts. Surprisingly there dad wasn't that upset!! I was glad to see the boat go to a collector/broker in the Minneapolis area because he respected the boat. He did restore the boat and of coarse had to replace wood where the holes were cut.

It's just fiberglass underneath a coaming pad for goodness sake, it's a freakin ski boat not a classic car.

If you don't want to break out the sawzall a dremel or roto zip with a spiral cutter works well, nice clean cut.

81nautique wrote: It's just fiberglass underneath a coaming pad for goodness sake, it's a freakin ski boat not a classic car.

Alan, You may have taken my comment wrong! I'm all for cutting the hole in back of the exsisting for his speakers. All I said, was that it reminded me of the stereo in the Dodge. By the way, a Dodge Watercar is a boat. It was a prewar that didn't make it. It was the son of the founder of Dodge that ran the company. Absolutely beatifull boats! They made a Chris Crafts look like work boats!

Pete,

I've seen several of the Dodge boats at the Tahoe boat show in August. BKH

81nautique wrote: 8122pbrainard wrote: 81nautique wrote: It's just fiberglass underneath a coaming pad for goodness sake, it's a freakin ski boat not a classic car. Alan, You may have taken my comment wrong! I'm all for cutting the hole in back of the exsisting for his speakers. All I said, was that it reminded me of the stereo in the Dodge. By the way, a Dodge Watercar is a boat. It was a prewar that didn't make it. It was the son of the founder of Dodge that ran the company. Absolutely beatifull boats! They made a Chris Crafts look like work boats! That wasn't directed at you Pete. Just seemed like a pretty basic thing, if he wants to cut a hole for a speaker do it it's his boat, who cares.. The factory does it all the time. I don't understand the reasoning behind "You can't put it back", or I wouldn't be cutting there. He's gonna fill the hole with a speaker and cover it with a coaming pad, will look nice, no big deal.

I know it will work but my big question which I dont think will have a problem is integrity. I dont want speakers sticking out and I will cover the holes anyway and I know it will look nice cause I am picky like that. I dont envision myself owning this or any other toy boat and not have some tunes in it. So as long as I wont hurt it structurally, I will be cutting them this weekend :)

Awesome, exactly what I was looking for. I was planing on reverse cutting through the gel with a 3.5 inch holesaw and taking it out that way then filing it the rest of the way round on the edges :)

I just spent 5 hours using heavy rubbing compound on my hevily chalked and discolored hull and I am spent. Tomorrow I get to go through it again with a lighter compound , the a couple coats of polish then a UV wax. Probably get to the speakers tomorrow too if I am up for it. It is looking really good now though, it was a pretty dramatic difference. I cant wait til its done though.