Removal of side panels for new speaker installation???

[buzzardmountain]

I have a '97 Nautique closed bow and I'm replacing the stock clarion speakers. It seems impossible to replace the speakers without having to remove the side panels. Removal of the side panels seems like a real pain in the a$$. Is it attached with the bolts that I can somewhat see looking up? Any guidance would be appreciated.

[Frost]

use a 7/16" wrench and take the coaming pads off, the speakers are mounted to the back side of the pad. It's really easy to get the pads off

[NCH2oSki]

Mine have silicone on the bolts so it makes it a little easier if you peel off the silicone also. Put some back on the bolts when your done and they wont loosen up.

[Johnsongc]

I did the same thing in my '01 SN. Wasn't too bad removing the side pads. Replacement is quick. Just dive in, it will go faster than you think.

[tlb]

I'm doing mine this weekend and am not worried about the side panels, but what about the open bow speakers? I have an '03 SAN and this looks like a royal pain. Any suggestions?

[Frost]

Bow of 210's will be hard, there are 3 screws in the backside of the splash under the luv seat and 2 behind the kickboard, after you have the screws out pull the cup holders out of the modules and from under the deck reach up and you will feel one stud with a nut & washer on it, after you both sides unscrewed right under the deck of the center part of the splash you will find another stud with a nut & washer on it. After all that is done you can remove the splash and the speakers are front mounted to a "speaker cup". The only thing to watch out for is re-installing the splash, when you screw the screws back into the splash from behind the drivers kickboard and under the luv seat, make sure you only tighten them up snug, too tight will strip out the hole and you will have to drill another hole.

PS try to only pull the screws out of the splash and leave them in the fiberglass so you don't have to try to find the hole again.

[tlb]

Thanks for the info Frost. dosen't sound like fun though. I'll let you know how it goes.

[go46]

Buzzarmountain- what speakers are you putting in?

[nms1991]

At least you dont have to do it on a 02 or newer ski almost no room to reach the bolts. but i would recomend using blue loctite instead of silicone, easier to apply while pads are off of boat.

[buzzardmountain]

Thanks for the replies. Got the side panels off and speakers installed yesterday. Going to put washers and nuts back on today since I tested the speakers.

go46, I'm using JL Audio XR650-CXi with a Rockford Fosgate 801x amp with 100 watts RMS per channel. They are rocking!!!

What is the consensus on using silicone or locktite? As someone has already said there was silicone on before.