98 PS205 radio/speaker mounting questions

[Cariboo]

I've just bought a 98 Prostar 205 that doesn't have a radio or speaker installed. I have two questions:

1) The slot for my radio (to the right of the steering wheel) ponds water. I'm concerned that if I install a radio it may short out if water gets in there. I'm not sure where the water is coming from since I've only had the boat a few days. I left the cover off one afternoon and we had a ton of rain while I was gone. I anticipate having the cover on most of the time, however, what can be done to prevent water getting into this area?

2) On my 90 PS 190 that I had, the were several good locations for speakers. On my 205, I can only see a few spots in the open bow area to mount speakers. I would like to mount some speakers near the back bench and also up near the drivers area. Any suggestions? If anyone has any pictures it would be helpful.

Thank you.

[east tx skier]

On the 98, 205, there are 4 speaker locations (2 per side) in and around the combing pads on both sides. If you remove the pads, you should be able to find the speaker cutouts on the reverse sides. There is no stock location in the bow, but some people have put them beneath the bow seats on either side.

As for the radio, does it have the little plastic cover that pulls down? If the water is coming from the outside, that should keep it relatively dry. My boat is garaged, but covered when stored outdoors when we're at the lake. My marine tuner remains pretty dry.

[bboozer]

I have a 96, and I put a regular Alpine deck, and I got the marine cover to close it up when it is not in use. I put speakers in the sides of the fiberglass in the bow below the seats, and then in the side pads close to the floor behind the drivers seat and by the observers seat.

[Cariboo]

On the 98, 205, there are 4 speaker locations (2 per side) in and around the combing pads on both sides. If you remove the pads, you should be able to find the speaker cutouts on the reverse sides. There is no stock location in the bow, but some people have put them beneath the bow seats on either side.

As for the radio, does it have the little plastic cover that pulls down? If the water is coming from the outside, that should keep it relatively dry. My boat is garaged, but covered when stored outdoors when we're at the lake. My marine tuner remains pretty dry.
bboozer, I also have a 96. I put down 98 by mistake.

I'm not sure where the water came in from. The stock stereo cover seems pretty tight to have flipped open and allowed water in.

I also have an Alpine deck I will be installing with Infinity speakers. Did you mount 6" speakers? How do the rear speakers behind the observers and drivers seat sound?

Thanks.

[east tx skier]

As 205s go, the 96 and the 98 were the same.

[Cariboo]

Sorry ahead of time for the dumb question, but what are the combing pads?

[muck]

i have a 97 205. i mounted 2 6x9's under the dash near where your feet are. then i mounted 2 flush mount tweeters to the drivers right and just above the observation seat. the sound is ok in that area but in the back you cant hear it.

near the back seat, on the panels on each side there should be holes in the panels, just not in the leather. feel up behind the panel and you should feel them. i am wondering what size the whole is because i would like to mount some there also.

i also mounted a 10 disk changer down in that little area below the throttle. it is the perfect size cubby hole for that.

hope this helps.

[east tx skier]

Sorry ahead of time for the dumb question, but what are the combing pads?

It's my new word (someone used it the other day and I asked the same question). These are the side pads on your boat. Even if you don't have a factory stereo, the backing on the pads should have the cutout for the speakers already.

[east tx skier]

By the way, if your getting a new tuner, I highly recommend one that can play MP3s. We have one disc in our boat with hours and hours of music on it. Never made it to the end. We just leave it on shuffle.

[zberger]

By the way, if your getting a new tuner, I highly recommend one that can play MP3s. We have one disc in our boat with hours and hours of music on it. Never made it to the end. We just leave it on shuffle.

I second this.. XM might a worthwhile investment too.. depending on how much you think you'd use it.

The SkyFi2 model can be used just about anywhere you got a line of sight to the south and have various connection kits.

I have the home kit and one for the auto, making one for the boat soon.