Stereo Install...help, advice, etc.

[xrichard]

I'm upgrading the stereo in my 2008 210 SANTE. Out with the stock amp and sub and in with Wetsounds gear. I've never done an install this extensive, so I'll be leaning on folks here for help. And I should mention how helpful the folks at Wetsounds have been. I've received quick, detailed, and clear responses to email and phone calls to Wetsounds for input and advice.

Though not very informative, I've attached a couple of "before" pictures. My first question in a minute...

[xrichard]

My first question: There is a vent in front of the windshield. Under that vent (inside the passenger console area) is a black plastic box that is open on the front and close (but unsealed) on three sides. A drain fitting is attached to this box, but it looks clear that water coming in through the vent could easily splash/run out of the box without going down the drain tube. Of course, if this happens, any amps or electronics I have mounted under the console might get wet.

Does anyone have a solution for this issue? It looks like I can seal the back and sides of the vent box with caulk, but the front is still open with no baffle to prevent water from flowing out the front and into the console area. It could be this isn't an issue and water doesn't spill out of this box....(?)

I've attached a couple of photos.

[SuperSquirt]

Try pouring a glass a water down the windshield into the vent hole and see where the water ends up. I'm curious???

[xrichard]

I can tell by looking at it: if I pour a glass of water through the vent, it will collect in the black box shown in the photo and then run down the clear plastic drain tubes (shown in the photo) and dumped into the bow locker. The vast majority of the time, this is what will happen to any water coming through the vent.

The problem would be if a lot of water came into the vent at once or if the boat bounced around such that any water collected in the black box spilled out over the front edge of the box (the front edge is not visible in the photo) or around the top of the box where it meets the fiberglass of the deck above it.

[AuMDLST]

I would think the only way "a lot of water" would get there would be if you had a nose dive. At that point you would have flooded the bow and had plenty of water to get to the electronics.

[SuperSquirt]

I wouldn't stress out too much about it. Either caulk it with silicone or seal the vent entirely. If you know its going to rain hard on you, just bring some duck tape to cover it up.

Have you got any new electronics yet? Its really not that hard swapping out all the factory stuff.

[xrichard]

Yeah, I think the chances are low of water getting in...but all it takes is one time to ruin a bunch of expensive stuff. I hadn't given a second thought until I picked the boat up from the dealer the other day after it sat outside during a day of rain. There was water in that area (including on the side (inside) of the hull under the passenger dash), but I could tell where it came in.

WRT electronics, I'm putting in a Syn1, 4, and 6 plus a WS420. For speakers, I have MB8 and Pro80s, XS-XXX and 6 XS-650.

So, it ends up being a lot of work. I'm sure I'll be asking folks here a lot of questions.

[SuperSquirt]

Sounds like you got the goods. The hardest part of your install will probably be replacing the Momo's with the xs-650s. I was also going to do this, but was discouraged by the amount of cutting that is involved. Momo's are only 5 1/4 and the WS are 6.5.

[WIKD281]

I have an older 2002 SANTE and the horn (beep beep) is in that plastic box. Any wires going into the black box? Maybe 2 wires power and ground?
Have someone honk your horn while you search to find where its at? Im guessing it might be below the driver side glass also?

[xrichard]

Honestly (and stupidly) when I ordered the XS-650s I thought they were a direct swap for the stock speakers. They are last on my list...I'll see how tired I am when everything else is finished. It could be I won't install them and someone will get a deal on three pairs of brand new speakers.

RE: the horn...I don't know...I'll take a look to see if anything is in that box. Just to be safe, I think I'll caulk on the three sides where the box touches the bottom of the deck and then fabricate something to divert excess water that might flow out the front toward the bottom of the boat.

Overall, it looks like this install has five major tasks (...meaning time consuming items...at least for me and my level of (in)experience). 1. Mount the WS420; 2. Subwoofer enclosure and venting; 3. Cable and wiring runs; 4. Amp racks/mounts; 5. XS650 install.

I spent quite a bit of time today on the WS420. As with everything, it takes me twice as long as I think it will. I still have to finish making a bracket behind the panel to hold the WS420 securely, but this is how it looks. I moved the primary power switch and the bilge indicator light and then did some cutting to install the WS420. It doesn't show as well as I'd like because I mounted it against the existing black insert...but you get the idea.

[xrichard]

I took a closer look at the vent / horn on the passenger side. As it turns out, the horns reside in the black box (I posted a photo previously).

Just to be safe about keeping water off my amps, I figured I'd sacrifice an old Gore-tex windbreaker and glue a piece of Gore-tex to the underside of the chrome vent mounted on the deck. When I pulled off the vent cover, I found black fabric attached to the underside via caulk or glue around the perimeter. I ran water on it and nothing came through the vent...obviously, low pressure as I just held it under the faucet, but it's definitely water-resistant at the very least.

Does anyone know what this fabric is? (e.g. is it waterproof like Goretex or is it just tightly woven and it just happens that water doesn't drip through it when I hold it under the faucet?) There is a drain hose hooked up to the box attached under the vent, so it looks like the thought is that water will get past then vent.

[biggris79]

Heres what they done on my 08 220 with the wetsounds 6 1/2 i had a light ring put on them and they fit just fine and i added vents to my sub area heres a link to some pics of my boat http://earmarkcaraudio.com/install_superAirNautique.asp

[TravisFling]

I think the primary purpose of the fabric is to keep water from splashing in there, but allow it to air out. I don't think it's water proof, but more of a barrier against direct splashes and dunks.