FCT 2 Tower Speaker Install Questions / Suggestions

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • Skidave
    Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
    • May 2005
    • 697

    • York, PA

    • 2003 Air 206 Team Sold: 1979 Ski Nautique (Brown!)
    #1

    FCT 2 Tower Speaker Install Questions / Suggestions

    OK, have lived without tower speakers for 16 years. Wife finally said it is time to upgrade (within a budget). I have a few questions about drilling my tower. For anyone seeing this that has performed this on this 'old school' tower, please chime in.

    Remember, in 2003, tower speakers were not even an option!

    1) How thick is the aluminum on the tower? I'm trying to order some grommets. I see one at Nautique Parts, but not sure the true size since it is not listed. I'll get a bunch from my suppliers, but would like to get the right one.

    2) I would prefer to have the tower cans mounted on the tube that is on the transom side of the tower vs the front tube. This means the wires have to come up the 'back leg' of the tower - the side that has screw receiver. Anyone ever do this. Factory wiring runs them up the front leg by the hinge side. The cans have the wiring coming through the clamp, so it will be clean. Not sure I want a connector dangling when the tower is folded down or even see the connector when the tower is up.

    3) I'm assuming the tower tubing is hollow and I should run into any issues running the wire. I have chased wires all over houses and business, but I really don't want to find out I can 't get this through the tube after I have holes drilled in multiple locations.

    Any other suggestions are welcome.
    Tags: None
  • 74corvette
    • Aug 2010
    • 45

    • Des Moines

    • 2001 Super Air Nautique
    #2
    That is how I installed my speakers on my FCT2, I also have leds on the inside of my speakers so have several wires going through the tower. Let me know if you want photos of how I did it. I actually fed the wires through the front legs.

    Comment

    • Skidave
      Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
      • May 2005
      • 697

      • York, PA

      • 2003 Air 206 Team Sold: 1979 Ski Nautique (Brown!)
      #3
      Pics would be great. I sent you a PM with my email address.

      Thanks!

      Comment

      • Stevemo14
        Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
        • Apr 2019
        • 691

        • Columbus, OH

        • 2005 Super Air 210 Team; 1960 Chris Craft 18' Continental
        #4
        I ran new wires in my old tower last year. It wasn't that hard. I did not run them to the rear bars, so you are on your own there.

        I ordered the grommets from Nautique Parts, https://www.nautiqueparts.com/produc...ower-speakers/, and they work out perfect.

        I used a step drill bit to drill the holes to just about a half inch. I checked them with the grommets as i went. As far as running the wires, i used 2 4' long zip ties, taped them together, and ran them through the tower tubes. I then taped the wires to the zip ties and pulled them back.

        I used this https://www.amazon.com/HARDK-Hook-Pi...414840&sr=8-23 pick set to pull the zip ties out of the tower tubes.

        I used https://www.amazon.com/100ft-Expanda...5414933&sr=8-4 wire loom to cove any exposed wires, mainly where they are exposed from the lower tower bars to the upper tower bars.

        I ran 12 gauge speaker wire on the port side of the boat for the speakers, and ran the led and stern light wires on the starboard side.

        The tower light you will need is https://www.nautiqueparts.com/product/light-all-around/ if you decide to put one on.

        This Video https://www.google.com/search?q=towe...a5tQajtb7gDg30 can giveyou a few tips and tricks the pros use.
        Last edited by Stevemo14; 07-22-2020, 05:56 AM.

        Comment

        • Skidave
          Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
          • May 2005
          • 697

          • York, PA

          • 2003 Air 206 Team Sold: 1979 Ski Nautique (Brown!)
          #5
          Thanks Steve for your reply.

          I ran and dressed my power and ground wires today. My amp board is cut and covered with carpet. Have a bunch of other supplies to keep going, but need to get ready for the weekend. No work, just riding and enjoying.

          Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

          Comment

          • Codywb01
            • Mar 2018
            • 35

            • Mercer, PA

            • 2001 SAN 210 1992 Ski Nautique 196
            #6
            are any of you guys able to post pics up of your setups and where you installed your amps and what type of reciever your using? im gearing up to upgrade my stereo system through the winter and need some ideas. I think my heater core is cracked so i am goo g to just completely remove it in the next couple weeks. ill prob end up putting the subwoofer and amp where the heater core is now. i boat in clarion pa so after late october is usually when input the boat away for the year.

            Comment

            • Stevemo14
              Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
              • Apr 2019
              • 691

              • Columbus, OH

              • 2005 Super Air 210 Team; 1960 Chris Craft 18' Continental
              #7
              I put my amps where the stock amps were. I upgraded my head unit to the Rockford RFX5000 ( no longer made, but got a killer deal on ebay for it ). If you want to look at my resto post https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...-in-the-making it shows where I put all my speakers, and what i have.

              If you need an specific pics let me know and I can take them this weekend.

              Comment

              Previous template Next
              Working...
              X