Drilling a hole in hull near tower

[Stuart23]

Hi y'all

I have purchased a PMX-0R wired remote for my stereo so the passenger can control the volume.

The obvious place to put it is in the side moulding. I made a template to see where it should sit.



The only issue with this location is that it is in front of the inner hull. To fit it here, I would have to drill a 2" hope in the inner hull right below where the tower joins the deck (shown below). I am worried that being this close to the tower hardpoint, drilling holes here is going to compromise the structural integrity of the hull. Am I being overly anxious, or is this really a bad idea?

Thanks,

Stu

[bturner]

Structurally I think you're fine, aesthetically I think I would reconsider. Nothing screams dated more than electronics and more specifically stereos and assorted accessories. Interior panels like the one you're about to cut up to mount a "Dad style" volume control that looks dated already are probably irreplaceable and will certainly diminish the look of a classic boat and most likely the value of the boat to the next potential buyer. If it were me I would either mount it somewhere much less obtrusive, hide it or find better technology like something Bluetooth based as a remote volume solution. There are also tons of much smaller remote devices out there that could be mounted somewhere like the bottom of the panel where you wouldn't see it or try to mount this one there.I use this JL remote device and hide them near the driver for tower speaker installations. The volume control is really small and easy to conceal.

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-Mqg4Jc...AaAh3ZEALw_wcB

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and you certainly have every right to cut your boat up in anyway you see fit but this IMO is pretty much like screwing a fish finder to the dash.

[NautiqueJeff]

Also, that's not the hull. That's the deck.

[Skidave]

Get some Aluminum from lowes and make a bracket that holds the volume control just below or beside the speaker pod. That way it is reachable, but not seen.

In X years, you will thank us when you have to replace electronics and that control is no longer usable and speaker pod still looks good.

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

[Stuart23]

Thanks everyone for your input. I realized that there was just enough clearance for the remote to sit behind the molding without having to cut into the "deck" (thanks Jeff )

I totally get the no-frills ski boat aesthetic, and really love some of the ski boats on here, but my boat is not a museum piece (to me at least). Given how ridiculous boat prices are right now, I know I can sell it for 5-10k more than what I payed for it 2 years ago. I understand the electronics will age, but now I have Bluetooth with volume control on both sides of the boat, I don't think there's any new technologies that I'll have to change for.

I know it looks pretty out of place, but I believe form follows function. It might not be to everyone's taste, but I'm happy with the results.

[shag]

Looks just fine