2012 Yamaha 242 Limited audio upgrade

[Robert_Yamaha242]

Anyone interested in sharing how you upgraded the aging stereo in this boat? I am needing to replace the tower tweeters and i'm reluctant to remove it since the seals around it are cracking apart. I was hoping to have a replacement lined up for when I pull it out, as I am not sure it'll go back in.. Any advice?
Also, I'm wanting to replace the 6 speakers around the seating, is an amp in the boat, or is it 100% necessary to be added, to really notice an improvement?
Thanks!

 

[Dave burke]

There are a ton of threads on stereo upgrades and many knowleadable people. I'd suggest you use the search function and the FAQs as a starting point. I learned a ton when I did my upgrade a few years ago and had a just a basic knowledge of stereos when I started.

I don't know for sure but my guess is you should have an amp of some sort with 8 speakers but you may not. Have a look in the battery compartment and behind the helm. The amp is likely there if you have one.

A few other thoughts and questions:

- have you owned the boat since 2012? If not, do you know if any upgrades have been previously done?
- You say the tower speaker tweeters are cracked. It's unusual to have separate tweeters in tower speakers, particularly in 2012 if these are factory. I'd just get new coaxial tower speakers if I were you.
- you definitely need a properly sized amp to get good sound. If you have a factory amp, it's old, likely not great quality and may not even be wired correctly based on my experience. I'd get a new one if I were you.
- same with the speakers, they're not the best quality and old if factory
- do you have a subwoofer? You might want to consider this as well. This will also affect your choice of amp
- are you thinking of diy or going to have somebody else do this?
- decide how much you want to spend. It will be a wide range but decent stuff will be easily $1500 and up. You get cheap stuff for quite a bit less but the amps in particular won't last. I'm in the process of upgrading my amps because they failed
- make sure you buy Marine rated equipment.

These are just some quick thoughts. It would be helpful if you sent pics of your speakers, head unit and amp if you can find it.

Good luck.