Marine Stereo Shopping Guide

So, you're prepping your sport boat for the season and it hits you: great-sounding tunes will turn your summer fun up a notch. You know that a regular car system won't survive the open water, so what to do? Consider the many marine-specific stereos from brands like Kenwood, Sony, Clarion, and others.

How is marine audio gear different?

Unlike car audio components — which live in the watertight interior of your vehicle — marine equipment has to be able to stand up to the elements. The water, salt, and sun that make cruising around the waves so much fun can also wreak havoc on your electrical components. If your gear isn't designed to withstand this sort of abuse, it won't last a season.

• Water resistance — this means the components can handle splashes and light rain, but are not built to handle submersion. Levels of resistance vary by manufacturer. Waterproof products are able to be fully submerged, though the specifics do vary.
• UV resistance — designed to withstand sun damage. Found on receiver faceplates, speaker cones and remotes.
• Anti-corrosion protection — specifically designed to resist rust and the corrosive effects of salt water. Examples of anti-corrosive features include coated circuit boards, plated connections, and a rust-resistant chassis.

Water is a constant threat for marine electronics. If your gear can't stand up to the elements, it won't last long in the great outdoors.

What should you consider when stereo shopping for your boat?

• Materials that will stand up to the elements — at sea, survival is job one, so make sure that all of the electronics on your boat are protected against salt, sun, and water. If you need an extra measure of protection (or want to use a non-marine-specific component on your boat), install a universal cover. It will flip down to shield your receiver from the outside world, and then flip up so you can get to the controls. A waterproof, wired remote control is an excellent alternative to exposing your receiver to the elements — you can mount the radio inside a watertight compartment and not worry about shorting out your tunes.

Get Everything You Need

Get what you need to connect satellite radio on your boat. Of course, make sure your marine receiver is satellite-ready.

Control your nes stereo with a weather-resistant marine remote.

Covers and mounts will protect your boat's in-dash stereo from sun and spray, plus let you mount youe handheld electronics anywhere on your boat..

Don't forget the wires, including patch cables, plus power and speaker wire.

• Good specs — better specs mean better sound quality, on land or at sea. For receivers, look for a high CD signal-to-noise ratio, a wide frequency response, and plenty of RMS power. If radio's your thing, check the FM sensitivity spec — the lower, the better.
• High power — since you'll be listening to your music out in the open (as opposed to within the acoustic confines of a car), high power is a must for clean, clear sound. Brand name marine receivers come with built-in 4-way amplifiers, but if you love it loud or just want to drown out the nautical background noise, you might want to consider adding an external marine amp to your system.
• "The System" — the days of the basic, one-trick CD player are long gone. From satellite radio controls to connections for your iPod, today's aftermarket components offer of a wide variety of A/V entertainment options. If you have a larger system in mind, get a receiver with an auxiliary input, allowing you to add another audio source later. USB inputs let you connect USB memory devices, like thumb drives, that you can load with music files. And some USB inputs offer iPod connection and control. Multiple sets of preamp outputs make it easier to connect and control external amplifiers and subwoofers. If your cruising will take you out into the wild blue, consider the entertainment value of satellite radio — satellite radio signals can reach up to 200 miles off shore. Last but not least, consider Bluetooth® if available built in or as an option. You'll be able to make and receive mobile calls hands-free, letting you keep your hands on the tiller, not on your phone.

Marine stereos offer many unique styles to match your boat's interior.

How are you going to install it?

Installation:This is where things can get tricky. Unlike most vehicles, there isn't one ideal place to install audio equipment in a boat. And given the various power and space limitations, each installation presents a unique set of challenges.

• If you're replacing an existing radio, you can probably use the existing mounting location and wiring. Otherwise, you might need to cut some paneling or run wires for the components. Most marine stereos are a standard single-DIN size, and connect to a 12-volt marine battery.
• Grounding a stereo can be a challenge in a boat. Some boats have specific grounding plates that can be used. Consult your manufacturer for more information on where to ground components in your boat.

There are a wide variety of durable, high-quality marine stereos on the market today. In fact, just about any A/V configuration you can imagine in your car can now be tweaked to work on your boat. With that flexibility in mind, there are many things to take into account when shopping for a marine audio system, so be sure to study each product carefully before deciding which is the best one for you.