Radio Installation on Bass Tracker?

[nirvananight]

I am curious if anyone on this board have a radio/cd player installed on their tracker.  If so, please share ideas on where to put the receiver because it seems so cramped near the console!  Also, my tracker doesn't have a extra ACC switch so would I just plug directly into the fuse box or is it advised to install a off/on switch?  Any ideas would be well appreciated and any pics would be awesome!

[-Bryan-]

I am assuming you have a single console boat?  There are several ideas, such as under seat or in a storage compartment.  Even a marine grade stereo can have water issues if they get wet...I went through several before I went to the Lowrance SonicHub system with my HDS units.  I have seen them mounted up under the console, but accessibility can be problematic if it too far out of the way.

[SoFLnative]

Not sure what you are looking for but you might look into just some marine speakers powered by a marine amp and then run a 3.5mm to RCA to it for an ipod/iphone/mp3.

Easier and cleaner if you can go the mp3 route. A marine amp and marine speakers are pretty tough vs a marine radio/cd player.

[Brummo]

I put in a Clarion CMS1.  Nice little unit that mounts under the consol and has a remote face to run the tuner and other things.  It does NOT have CD player, but has hookup for Ipod/mp3, has tuner, weather band and option for sat.radio.  In my video you can see where I mounted the conrol box, which is water tight.

[GERMANO]

I just built a wood console, installed a automatic bilge pump switch, hourmeter and marine radio. Then I glued a couple of strips of Velcro on both consoles to keep it in place and easy removal. I dint want to make any holes on my boat.

I posted some pictures here: http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=90125.0

[scbassfanatic]

I am considering mounting mine in a center console I want to build to replace my center seat. Just a thought. Ditto on the water issues with marine radios, make sure you get one those splash gaurd faceplate covers for the radio. Good luck. If I get mine done anytime soon, I will post pics.

[nirvananight]

Thanks for input guys!  I think I will make it my project to do.  I found a gap that runs beneath the three seats where I can run the speaker wires through.  Then I have to figure out how to get those wires through the wall where the throttle lever is and into the fuse box area.  I've fished for my 7.1 surround sound system in my home so I think I might have to do the same with this...but just a little afraid I might pull other wires.  Also, is it easy to plug into the fuse box?  I def know how to wire a home stereo surround system but a novice when it comes to boats.  (I haven't ordered the receiver, so I don't know what the connections look like and I have no experience with receiver decks with any of my cars so its alien to me). 

[-Bryan-]

There should be hot taps (tabs) on your fuse panel.  Do you have a test light?  Should be easy to find one that is controlled by the master power (I wouldn't suggest leaving a "memory" lead to the constant hot since it will be a constant draw).  It is just like wiring a car stereo if you have ever done that before.  Also, there should already be a hole near the fuse panel that Tracker ran all the wiring through, this should be easy.  Also, you can pull the screws to move some of the panels pretty easy so you can gain the access you need for wiring.  Most important thing is to KNOW what is behind any panel you want to cut or drill through...remember livewells, gas tank, and the hull.

[Brummo]

Some pics of where my radio is installed.