Locating a stereo and speakers on a CD27

[Bill Goldsmith]

I have been shopping for an FM Receiver/CD player for Second Chance (CD 27 #172). I'd appreciate any suggestions as to where other Cape Dorys have stereos mounted. I DO NOT want to cut holes in the bulkheads for the speakers (I have a bulkhead mounted compass, right side.) Perhaps I should hang a couple of self-contained marine speakers from the stern rail and stow them locked when not being used. My preference would be to install the player in the cabin, easily accessible to the cockpit but not in the way. I'd like to avoid cutting any holes in the cabin/head bulkhead, and this is not reachable from the cockpit anyway. Finally, with the astronomical cost of these components, I've also thought about just bringing a portable "boom-box" on board, but I've got mixed feelings about it thrashing around in a seaway. Success (or otherwise) stories and ideas would be appreciated.



goldy@bestweb.net

[J. Kuehn]

I have been shopping for an FM Receiver/CD player for Second Chance (CD 27 #172). I'd appreciate any suggestions as to where other Cape Dorys have stereos mounted. I DO NOT want to cut holes in the bulkheads for the speakers (I have a bulkhead mounted compass, right side.) Perhaps I should hang a couple of self-contained marine speakers from the stern rail and stow them locked when not being used. My preference would be to install the player in the cabin, easily accessible to the cockpit but not in the way. I'd like to avoid cutting any holes in the cabin/head bulkhead, and this is not reachable from the cockpit anyway. Finally, with the astronomical cost of these components, I've also thought about just bringing a portable "boom-box" on board, but I've got mixed feelings about it thrashing around in a seaway. Success (or otherwise) stories and ideas would be appreciated.

Before owning our CD26, I sailed "club boats". I bought and used a "boom box" during that time, and yes, it went crashing to the cabin floor many times whenever the wind came up. The many batteries it took, always in need of recharging, were a hassle. Can't recommend these units on a sailboat.

[Don Metznik]

I've installed a CD player in my CD27 without cutting any holes. I have a Pioneer car CD deck. I built a box out of teak that surrounds the unit. The wood is about a 1/4inch thick and I made it tight enough that there is only a 1/8 inch play from side to side and up and down. I drilled a few holes in the sides for ventilation. The back has a big space where the wires come in and out. I varnished it and made it look nice then placed it on the bookshelves on the starboard side above the berth. It remains there with the help of velcro along the bottom. You can always just tap a screw in from the bottom of the shelve to the bottom of the box and that would suffice too. I just like the option of being able to unplug the back and take the whole unit with me when I go. It's really simple. As for the speakers, I'm using 2, 6-1/2 inch Blaupunkt speakers in two seperate boxes that have angled fronts so as to project the sound. If I remember correctly the height is about 8inches, angled at 50 degrees. The depth is 4 inches and the width is 8inches. They can be smaller depending on the speaker. I have them located on both sides aft of the galley. They are too velcroed down and have never moved. The wire is indiscretely run underneath the lip above the settees and below the portholes. The hot wire goes directly to the battery and the ground goes to the lifting eye on my yanmar. It's very similar to wiring a car stereo. This system has never given me a problem and the units always stay in place. It's also really easy to move a speaker if you want to bring it out on deck or bring it home. What you chose to design is up to you, but it can be done without cutting holes. Hope this helps. Let me know if you need any more help.

Don



donald.metznik@mail.trincoll.edu

[Bill Goldsmith]

Don,

Thanks for the description of your solution. Sounds like the type of suggestion I was seeking. I'll give it some more thought. (Especially since the wheel is on indefinite hold--to do it right would be $2,000 plus......) Hopefully we'll have an early spring!!

Bill

I've installed a CD player in my CD27 without cutting any holes. I have a Pioneer car CD deck. I built a box out of teak that surrounds the unit. The wood is about a 1/4inch thick and I made it tight enough that there is only a 1/8 inch play from side to side and up and down. I drilled a few holes in the sides for ventilation. The back has a big space where the wires come in and out. I varnished it and made it look nice then placed it on the bookshelves on the starboard side above the berth. It remains there with the help of velcro along the bottom. You can always just tap a screw in from the bottom of the shelve to the bottom of the box and that would suffice too. I just like the option of being able to unplug the back and take the whole unit with me when I go. It's really simple. As for the speakers, I'm using 2, 6-1/2 inch Blaupunkt speakers in two seperate boxes that have angled fronts so as to project the sound. If I remember correctly the height is about 8inches, angled at 50 degrees. The depth is 4 inches and the width is 8inches. They can be smaller depending on the speaker. I have them located on both sides aft of the galley. They are too velcroed down and have never moved. The wire is indiscretely run underneath the lip above the settees and below the portholes. The hot wire goes directly to the battery and the ground goes to the lifting eye on my yanmar. It's very similar to wiring a car stereo. This system has never given me a problem and the units always stay in place. It's also really easy to move a speaker if you want to bring it out on deck or bring it home. What you chose to design is up to you, but it can be done without cutting holes. Hope this helps. Let me know if you need any more help.

Don

goldy@bestweb.net

[chuck yahrling]

I have been shopping for an FM Receiver/CD player for Second Chance (CD 27 #172). I'd appreciate any suggestions as to where other Cape Dorys have stereos mounted. I DO NOT want to cut holes in the bulkheads for the speakers (I have a bulkhead mounted compass, right side.) Perhaps I should hang a couple of self-contained marine speakers from the stern rail and stow them locked when not being used. My preference would be to install the player in the cabin, easily accessible to the cockpit but not in the way. I'd like to avoid cutting any holes in the cabin/head bulkhead, and this is not reachable from the cockpit anyway. Finally, with the astronomical cost of these components, I've also thought about just bringing a portable "boom-box" on board, but I've got mixed feelings about it thrashing around in a seaway. Success (or otherwise) stories and ideas would be appreciated.

Bill;

I went with a small FM-CD player boombox. There are several on the market for less than $100 (Wall-Mart has an Emerson on special for $57). On my CD-27, I put it in the starboard side shelf, just forward of the galley sink. This puts it about three feet from the Plastimo bulkhead compass (mounted over the sink) and there's no magnetic interference.

I put a few pieces of thin foam rubber around & underneath it and it seems happy there, even when pounding to weather in a fresh breeze; only a capsize would dislodge it. Decision factors: instantaneous install, no drain on boat batteries, easy to remove when stripping the boat for winter storage or to use elsewhere.

Note that I had already bought nicads and a universal charger for hand-held things like flashlight, and GPS, and when cruising keep these and VHF topped-up by running the charger(s) off the inverter. The boombox batteries get the same treatment. When docked, I run everything - including the nicad charger(s) - off a/c via shorepower and the inverter when able.

As for power consumption: I have two GR-27 deep-cycle batteries; as an experiment while day sailing, I ran the log, depthfinder, knotmeter/wind indicator, ST-2000 tiller pilot and boombox off one battery and still had enough to start the 2GM on the same battery at the end of the day.





yahrling@cybertours.com

[Ed Haley]

I located a Receiver/CD player underneath the hanging cabinet opposite the head on my CD28. West Marine makes a fiberglass enclosure that allows the unit to be placed out of the way under the cabinet and just have the tuning face visible. It was nifty and easy to install. I installed one set of speakers on the settee shelf just aft of the cabinet and head. I'd like to put a pair of speakers in the cockpit but haven't yet figured out where and how. Maybe hanging from the stern rail on a temporary basis.



eghaley@dreamscape.com

[Lyn Heiges]

Bill,

I did the same thing 14-years ago in my 1980 CD27 GUILLEMOT except it employed a cassette deck as it still does. This unit was a small Mitsubishi auto radio/cassette system and has worked perfectly for these many years on the Chesapeake Bay. The little shelf at the end of the starboard settee was ideal for this installation and I wish I had the same luxury in our "new" CD28.

The speakers I used on the CD27 were Brauns as I recall and were about 3-inches high by 6-inches long and 3-inches deep mounted on "U" brackets above the settees just aft of the central bulkhead by the head. This works great for the salon and not too bad when under sail in the cockpit. If you are in the V-berth, the response is not too great. This is is actually a benefit as one party can rest with minor disturbance in the V-berth while another stretches out in the salon.

Down here in Florida I have not yet installed a stereo in my 1981 CD28 MOON CHILD, but I have a Marine model Auidovox unit (cassette type again) which I used to have in a Wellcraft with a cuddy cabin. The salt air down here is MUCH worse and harder on the equipment, so I think a marine version anything is prudent. I prefer to install a CD unit these days as the collection in that format is more current and larger. I have a couple of Bose 101s which used to be under the eaves of my old house in Maryland (water-resistant model, not the water-proof Bose 151 model) which I plan to use on the CD28.

I also installed a coupler which allows the VHF antenna to work for the AM/FM as well as the VHF and with the antenna 35-feet in the air you get great signal coverage. I used to listen Baltimore and Washington, DC stations with no problem out on the Chesapeake.

I also used the "SPARE" position on the electrical panel for the stereo and engraved a little plastic label with "STEREO" to complete the installation.

Best Wishes,

Lyn Heiges
CD27 GUILLEMOT (186)
CD28 MOON CHILD (307)

I've installed a CD player in my CD27 without cutting any holes. I have a Pioneer car CD deck. I built a box out of teak that surrounds the unit. The wood is about a 1/4inch thick and I made it tight enough that there is only a 1/8 inch play from side to side and up and down. I drilled a few holes in the sides for ventilation. The back has a big space where the wires come in and out. I varnished it and made it look nice then placed it on the bookshelves on the starboard side above the berth. It remains there with the help of velcro along the bottom. You can always just tap a screw in from the bottom of the shelve to the bottom of the box and that would suffice too. I just like the option of being able to unplug the back and take the whole unit with me when I go. It's really simple. As for the speakers, I'm using 2, 6-1/2 inch Blaupunkt speakers in two seperate boxes that have angled fronts so as to project the sound. If I remember correctly the height is about 8inches, angled at 50 degrees. The depth is 4 inches and the width is 8inches. They can be smaller depending on the speaker. I have them located on both sides aft of the galley. They are too velcroed down and have never moved. The wire is indiscretely run underneath the lip above the settees and below the portholes. The hot wire goes directly to the battery and the ground goes to the lifting eye on my yanmar. It's very similar to wiring a car stereo. This system has never given me a problem and the units always stay in place. It's also really easy to move a speaker if you want to bring it out on deck or bring it home. What you chose to design is up to you, but it can be done without cutting holes. Hope this helps. Let me know if you need any more help.

Don

lheiges@compuserve.com

[Paul]

I have been shopping for an FM Receiver/CD player for Second Chance (CD 27 #172). I'd appreciate any suggestions as to where other Cape Dorys have stereos mounted. I DO NOT want to cut holes in the bulkheads for the speakers (I have a bulkhead mounted compass, right side.) Perhaps I should hang a couple of self-contained marine speakers from the stern rail and stow them locked when not being used. My preference would be to install the player in the cabin, easily accessible to the cockpit but not in the way. I'd like to avoid cutting any holes in the cabin/head bulkhead, and this is not reachable from the cockpit anyway. Finally, with the astronomical cost of these components, I've also thought about just bringing a portable "boom-box" on board, but I've got mixed feelings about it thrashing around in a seaway. Success (or otherwise) stories and ideas would be appreciated.

Bill,

I am planning on mounting a cd player on a hanging bracket above the setee in the cabin...it will hang from the headliner just below the ports...I will also hang speakers...for the cockpit, however I have also decided not to make any holes. I am going to make a companionway hatch board with with a couple of speakers mounted in them...this way I can slide the board in place when I want to use the speakers and stow it when I don't...no holes and the speakers won't always be subject to outside conditions.

Paul



rfurman@dmv.com

[Brett I. Miller]

Lyn:

I've been thinking about doing the same thing, but I'm concerned about
messing with the electrical panel (I am a novice when it comes to things electrical). Any suggestions regarding the proper technique would be appreciated.

Brett Miller
Compromise, CD25(#669)

Bill,

I did the same thing 14-years ago in my 1980 CD27 GUILLEMOT except it employed a cassette deck as it still does. This unit was a small Mitsubishi auto radio/cassette system and has worked perfectly for these many years on the Chesapeake Bay. The little shelf at the end of the starboard settee was ideal for this installation and I wish I had the same luxury in our "new" CD28.

The speakers I used on the CD27 were Brauns as I recall and were about 3-inches high by 6-inches long and 3-inches deep mounted on "U" brackets above the settees just aft of the central bulkhead by the head. This works great for the salon and not too bad when under sail in the cockpit. If you are in the V-berth, the response is not too great. This is is actually a benefit as one party can rest with minor disturbance in the V-berth while another stretches out in the salon.

Down here in Florida I have not yet installed a stereo in my 1981 CD28 MOON CHILD, but I have a Marine model Auidovox unit (cassette type again) which I used to have in a Wellcraft with a cuddy cabin. The salt air down here is MUCH worse and harder on the equipment, so I think a marine version anything is prudent. I prefer to install a CD unit these days as the collection in that format is more current and larger. I have a couple of Bose 101s which used to be under the eaves of my old house in Maryland (water-resistant model, not the water-proof Bose 151 model) which I plan to use on the CD28.

I also installed a coupler which allows the VHF antenna to work for the AM/FM as well as the VHF and with the antenna 35-feet in the air you get great signal coverage. I used to listen Baltimore and Washington, DC stations with no problem out on the Chesapeake.

I also used the "SPARE" position on the electrical panel for the stereo and engraved a little plastic label with "STEREO" to complete the installation.

Best Wishes,

Lyn Heiges
CD27 GUILLEMOT (186)
CD28 MOON CHILD (307)

I've installed a CD player in my CD27 without cutting any holes. I have a Pioneer car CD deck. I built a box out of teak that surrounds the unit. The wood is about a 1/4inch thick and I made it tight enough that there is only a 1/8 inch play from side to side and up and down. I drilled a few holes in the sides for ventilation. The back has a big space where the wires come in and out. I varnished it and made it look nice then placed it on the bookshelves on the starboard side above the berth. It remains there with the help of velcro along the bottom. You can always just tap a screw in from the bottom of the shelve to the bottom of the box and that would suffice too. I just like the option of being able to unplug the back and take the whole unit with me when I go. It's really simple. As for the speakers, I'm using 2, 6-1/2 inch Blaupunkt speakers in two seperate boxes that have angled fronts so as to project the sound. If I remember correctly the height is about 8inches, angled at 50 degrees. The depth is 4 inches and the width is 8inches. They can be smaller depending on the speaker. I have them located on both sides aft of the galley. They are too velcroed down and have never moved. The wire is indiscretely run underneath the lip above the settees and below the portholes. The hot wire goes directly to the battery and the ground goes to the lifting eye on my yanmar. It's very similar to wiring a car stereo. This system has never given me a problem and the units always stay in place. It's also really easy to move a speaker if you want to bring it out on deck or bring it home. What you chose to design is up to you, but it can be done without cutting holes. Hope this helps. Let me know if you need any more help.

Don

mill7846@mlb.com

[Lyn Heiges]

Brett,

The electrical panel and wiring on Cape Dorys is ususally BAD!! This is the weakest point of most boats. Most of the craftspeople are into wood, fiberglass, etc., but not electricity.

POWER FOR THE AM/FM RECEIVER:

Cape Dory did a nice job of mounting the DC Power Panel with screws through the front of the black panel around the edge which lag into the teak surround.

1. The first recommendation is to DISCONNECT the Positive (+) lead from both batteries as the Positive (generally using red cable) Supply lead from each battery leads DIRECTLY up to the panel and the rotary battery selector switch. This means that a LOT of current at an non-lethel voltage of 12-volts DC is available when the panel is exposed regardless of the the selector switch position.

2. You will find that the connections to the toggle switches are soldered and if you decide to use the "spare" position, only one side of the switch will have a lead coming from the circuit breaker adjacent to the toggle switch. This is a good choice to use. The wire for the AM/FM receiver should be STRANDED cable (due to the flexing and bouncing around on board) and a number AWG 10-14. The smaller the number the larger the diameter of the conductor and the greater current carrying capacity. You should wire this with a RED lead from the toggle switch for the positive (+) supply side of the radio. A second lead is also required and this should be of the same size wire and be colored BLACK and this should lead down to the battery area where a "ring" terminal can be crimped on the end and fastened to the negative (-) terminal of one of the batteries. (The two negative leads are tied together down in the locker where the batteries are mounted.)

3. Once those connections have been made, put the black panel back in carefully, so as not to "pinch" or otherwise damage the insulation on the various wires in the area.

4. Reconnect the Positive (+) leads to the batteries.

5. Make sure the AM/FM receiver is turned OFF!!

6. Turn on the battery selector and make sure everything looks and works "OK" with the EXCEPTION of the AM/FM receiver. LEAVE IT TURNED OFF!! Without speakers attached to the receiver, you may blow out the final power transistors in the amplifier section!!

7. Now wire the speaker leads to the receiver as appropriate and on the Cape Dory you don't need MONSTER cable or anything near that stuff! Some AWG 14-22 wire will usually suffice. Make sure you keep track of which goes to the "positive" and "negative" posts of the amplifier and match the the speakers the same way to avoid audio phasing problems in stereo.

8. Hook up an antenna which can be (1) coupled to the VHF antenna through a coupler (West Marine or BOAT/US) (2) a small "folded dipole" antenna can be mounted above the radio along the bulkhead or (3) some other "jury-rigged" arrangement can be made.

9. NOW turn on the AM/FM receiver, find a suitable station, stretch out on the bunk --- rest and enjoy!!

Warmest Regards,

Lyn Heiges
MOON CHILD and GUILLEMOT

Lyn:

I've been thinking about doing the same thing, but I'm concerned about
messing with the electrical panel (I am a novice when it comes to things electrical). Any suggestions regarding the proper technique would be appreciated.

Brett Miller
Compromise, CD25(#669)

Bill,

I did the same thing 14-years ago in my 1980 CD27 GUILLEMOT except it employed a cassette deck as it still does. This unit was a small Mitsubishi auto radio/cassette system and has worked perfectly for these many years on the Chesapeake Bay. The little shelf at the end of the starboard settee was ideal for this installation and I wish I had the same luxury in our "new" CD28.

The speakers I used on the CD27 were Brauns as I recall and were about 3-inches high by 6-inches long and 3-inches deep mounted on "U" brackets above the settees just aft of the central bulkhead by the head. This works great for the salon and not too bad when under sail in the cockpit. If you are in the V-berth, the response is not too great. This is is actually a benefit as one party can rest with minor disturbance in the V-berth while another stretches out in the salon.

Down here in Florida I have not yet installed a stereo in my 1981 CD28 MOON CHILD, but I have a Marine model Auidovox unit (cassette type again) which I used to have in a Wellcraft with a cuddy cabin. The salt air down here is MUCH worse and harder on the equipment, so I think a marine version anything is prudent. I prefer to install a CD unit these days as the collection in that format is more current and larger. I have a couple of Bose 101s which used to be under the eaves of my old house in Maryland (water-resistant model, not the water-proof Bose 151 model) which I plan to use on the CD28.

I also installed a coupler which allows the VHF antenna to work for the AM/FM as well as the VHF and with the antenna 35-feet in the air you get great signal coverage. I used to listen Baltimore and Washington, DC stations with no problem out on the Chesapeake.

I also used the "SPARE" position on the electrical panel for the stereo and engraved a little plastic label with "STEREO" to complete the installation.

Best Wishes,

Lyn Heiges
CD27 GUILLEMOT (186)
CD28 MOON CHILD (307)

I've installed a CD player in my CD27 without cutting any holes. I have a Pioneer car CD deck. I built a box out of teak that surrounds the unit. The wood is about a 1/4inch thick and I made it tight enough that there is only a 1/8 inch play from side to side and up and down. I drilled a few holes in the sides for ventilation. The back has a big space where the wires come in and out. I varnished it and made it look nice then placed it on the bookshelves on the starboard side above the berth. It remains there with the help of velcro along the bottom. You can always just tap a screw in from the bottom of the shelve to the bottom of the box and that would suffice too. I just like the option of being able to unplug the back and take the whole unit with me when I go. It's really simple. As for the speakers, I'm using 2, 6-1/2 inch Blaupunkt speakers in two seperate boxes that have angled fronts so as to project the sound. If I remember correctly the height is about 8inches, angled at 50 degrees. The depth is 4 inches and the width is 8inches. They can be smaller depending on the speaker. I have them located on both sides aft of the galley. They are too velcroed down and have never moved. The wire is indiscretely run underneath the lip above the settees and below the portholes. The hot wire goes directly to the battery and the ground goes to the lifting eye on my yanmar. It's very similar to wiring a car stereo. This system has never given me a problem and the units always stay in place. It's also really easy to move a speaker if you want to bring it out on deck or bring it home. What you chose to design is up to you, but it can be done without cutting holes. Hope this helps. Let me know if you need any more help.

Don

lheiges@compuserve.com

[Brett I. Miller]

Lyn:

Thank you very much for your detailed instructions. I greatly appreciate it. The job doesn't sound (pun intended) too bad. If you are driving through Deale, Md. this weekend and you hear a dull buzzing sound you'll know that I forget step one.

Thanks again.

Brett

Brett,

The electrical panel and wiring on Cape Dorys is ususally BAD!! This is the weakest point of most boats. Most of the craftspeople are into wood, fiberglass, etc., but not electricity.

POWER FOR THE AM/FM RECEIVER:

Cape Dory did a nice job of mounting the DC Power Panel with screws through the front of the black panel around the edge which lag into the teak surround.

1. The first recommendation is to DISCONNECT the Positive (+) lead from both batteries as the Positive (generally using red cable) Supply lead from each battery leads DIRECTLY up to the panel and the rotary battery selector switch. This means that a LOT of current at an non-lethel voltage of 12-volts DC is available when the panel is exposed regardless of the the selector switch position.

2. You will find that the connections to the toggle switches are soldered and if you decide to use the "spare" position, only one side of the switch will have a lead coming from the circuit breaker adjacent to the toggle switch. This is a good choice to use. The wire for the AM/FM receiver should be STRANDED cable (due to the flexing and bouncing around on board) and a number AWG 10-14. The smaller the number the larger the diameter of the conductor and the greater current carrying capacity. You should wire this with a RED lead from the toggle switch for the positive (+) supply side of the radio. A second lead is also required and this should be of the same size wire and be colored BLACK and this should lead down to the battery area where a "ring" terminal can be crimped on the end and fastened to the negative (-) terminal of one of the batteries. (The two negative leads are tied together down in the locker where the batteries are mounted.)

3. Once those connections have been made, put the black panel back in carefully, so as not to "pinch" or otherwise damage the insulation on the various wires in the area.

4. Reconnect the Positive (+) leads to the batteries.

5. Make sure the AM/FM receiver is turned OFF!!

6. Turn on the battery selector and make sure everything looks and works "OK" with the EXCEPTION of the AM/FM receiver. LEAVE IT TURNED OFF!! Without speakers attached to the receiver, you may blow out the final power transistors in the amplifier section!!

7. Now wire the speaker leads to the receiver as appropriate and on the Cape Dory you don't need MONSTER cable or anything near that stuff! Some AWG 14-22 wire will usually suffice. Make sure you keep track of which goes to the "positive" and "negative" posts of the amplifier and match the the speakers the same way to avoid audio phasing problems in stereo.

8. Hook up an antenna which can be (1) coupled to the VHF antenna through a coupler (West Marine or BOAT/US) (2) a small "folded dipole" antenna can be mounted above the radio along the bulkhead or (3) some other "jury-rigged" arrangement can be made.

9. NOW turn on the AM/FM receiver, find a suitable station, stretch out on the bunk --- rest and enjoy!!

Warmest Regards,

Lyn Heiges
MOON CHILD and GUILLEMOT

Lyn:

I've been thinking about doing the same thing, but I'm concerned about
messing with the electrical panel (I am a novice when it comes to things electrical). Any suggestions regarding the proper technique would be appreciated.

Brett Miller
Compromise, CD25(#669)

Bill,

I did the same thing 14-years ago in my 1980 CD27 GUILLEMOT except it employed a cassette deck as it still does. This unit was a small Mitsubishi auto radio/cassette system and has worked perfectly for these many years on the Chesapeake Bay. The little shelf at the end of the starboard settee was ideal for this installation and I wish I had the same luxury in our "new" CD28.

The speakers I used on the CD27 were Brauns as I recall and were about 3-inches high by 6-inches long and 3-inches deep mounted on "U" brackets above the settees just aft of the central bulkhead by the head. This works great for the salon and not too bad when under sail in the cockpit. If you are in the V-berth, the response is not too great. This is is actually a benefit as one party can rest with minor disturbance in the V-berth while another stretches out in the salon.

Down here in Florida I have not yet installed a stereo in my 1981 CD28 MOON CHILD, but I have a Marine model Auidovox unit (cassette type again) which I used to have in a Wellcraft with a cuddy cabin. The salt air down here is MUCH worse and harder on the equipment, so I think a marine version anything is prudent. I prefer to install a CD unit these days as the collection in that format is more current and larger. I have a couple of Bose 101s which used to be under the eaves of my old house in Maryland (water-resistant model, not the water-proof Bose 151 model) which I plan to use on the CD28.

I also installed a coupler which allows the VHF antenna to work for the AM/FM as well as the VHF and with the antenna 35-feet in the air you get great signal coverage. I used to listen Baltimore and Washington, DC stations with no problem out on the Chesapeake.

I also used the "SPARE" position on the electrical panel for the stereo and engraved a little plastic label with "STEREO" to complete the installation.

Best Wishes,

Lyn Heiges
CD27 GUILLEMOT (186)
CD28 MOON CHILD (307)

mill7846@mlb.com

[Lyn Heiges]

Brett,

Thanks for the nice note! I REALLY appreciated it! Thank goodness THIS weekend I hope to be in SUNNY, WARM, St. Pete Beach, Florida and not in COOL temperature Deale or Essex (where GUILLEMOT, my CD27 is), Maryland. If you have a problem or question, my beeper is 1-800-381-3576 and except for church on Sunday morning between 1000-1230, I should be able to call you back OK.

Lyn
CD28 MOON CHILD
CD27 GUILLEMOT

Lyn:

Thank you very much for your detailed instructions. I greatly appreciate it. The job doesn't sound (pun intended) too bad. If you are driving through Deale, Md. this weekend and you hear a dull buzzing sound you'll know that I forget step one.

Thanks again.

Brett

Brett,

The electrical panel and wiring on Cape Dorys is ususally BAD!! This is the weakest point of most boats. Most of the craftspeople are into wood, fiberglass, etc., but not electricity.

POWER FOR THE AM/FM RECEIVER:

Cape Dory did a nice job of mounting the DC Power Panel with screws through the front of the black panel around the edge which lag into the teak surround.

1. The first recommendation is to DISCONNECT the Positive (+) lead from both batteries as the Positive (generally using red cable) Supply lead from each battery leads DIRECTLY up to the panel and the rotary battery selector switch. This means that a LOT of current at an non-lethel voltage of 12-volts DC is available when the panel is exposed regardless of the the selector switch position.

2. You will find that the connections to the toggle switches are soldered and if you decide to use the "spare" position, only one side of the switch will have a lead coming from the circuit breaker adjacent to the toggle switch. This is a good choice to use. The wire for the AM/FM receiver should be STRANDED cable (due to the flexing and bouncing around on board) and a number AWG 10-14. The smaller the number the larger the diameter of the conductor and the greater current carrying capacity. You should wire this with a RED lead from the toggle switch for the positive (+) supply side of the radio. A second lead is also required and this should be of the same size wire and be colored BLACK and this should lead down to the battery area where a "ring" terminal can be crimped on the end and fastened to the negative (-) terminal of one of the batteries. (The two negative leads are tied together down in the locker where the batteries are mounted.)

3. Once those connections have been made, put the black panel back in carefully, so as not to "pinch" or otherwise damage the insulation on the various wires in the area.

4. Reconnect the Positive (+) leads to the batteries.

5. Make sure the AM/FM receiver is turned OFF!!

6. Turn on the battery selector and make sure everything looks and works "OK" with the EXCEPTION of the AM/FM receiver. LEAVE IT TURNED OFF!! Without speakers attached to the receiver, you may blow out the final power transistors in the amplifier section!!

7. Now wire the speaker leads to the receiver as appropriate and on the Cape Dory you don't need MONSTER cable or anything near that stuff! Some AWG 14-22 wire will usually suffice. Make sure you keep track of which goes to the "positive" and "negative" posts of the amplifier and match the the speakers the same way to avoid audio phasing problems in stereo.

8. Hook up an antenna which can be (1) coupled to the VHF antenna through a coupler (West Marine or BOAT/US) (2) a small "folded dipole" antenna can be mounted above the radio along the bulkhead or (3) some other "jury-rigged" arrangement can be made.

9. NOW turn on the AM/FM receiver, find a suitable station, stretch out on the bunk --- rest and enjoy!!

Warmest Regards,

Lyn Heiges
MOON CHILD and GUILLEMOT

Lyn:

I've been thinking about doing the same thing, but I'm concerned about
messing with the electrical panel (I am a novice when it comes to things electrical). Any suggestions regarding the proper technique would be appreciated.

Brett Miller
Compromise, CD25(#669)

lheiges@compuserve.com