Click
on any of the pictures below to see a larger version. |
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This MB Sport B-52 wakeboarding boat got the deluxe treatment
including red neon accents to go along with its red flames.
The MB Sport comes equipped with a good factory stereo so in
upgrading the system we used everything except one pair of factory
speakers. We added tower lights, tower speakers (two pair),
more amplification, component speakers, equalizer, auxiliary
battery, AC charger plug, iPod input, neon and more! |
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The wakeboard tower received a six-lamp light bar with four
forward-facing and two rear-facing lamps. A multi-pin quick-disconnect
at one end of the light bar provides easy serviceability and
a cleaner wire run. |
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Quick-disconnects allow the tower to breakdown for storage
in a home garage. |
| A single-position marine switch controls
“front only”, “all off” and “all on”
light modes. A 60 amp relay bank easily handles the six-lamp
30 amp current load. Since a PerfectPass speed control was installed,
the lighting power uses a heavy gauge cable which makes a transverse
run directly to the auxiliary battery. This way voltage drops
that might impair the speed control are avoided. |
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A second switch controls three sections of red neon night
lighting which illuminates both of the port and starboard
combing pockets and under the instrument panel. In this case
the neon tubes are concealed for an indirect effect. |
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Four rear-firing black powder-coated aluminum cans adorn
the tower. The Mako enclosures contain MB Quart 6 1/2- inch
coaxials. The aluminum collars have interior nylon sleeves
that are available in 1/8 -inch increments and precisely fit
any rail diameter without scaring the tower. As with the lighting
wires on the opposite side, the speaker wiring includes a
service loop with quick-disconnects and a watertight gland
for the deck cap penetration. All wires are loomed with heatshrink
sleeves and pass through the metal tower pipes via protective
chassis grommets. |
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| Here's another version with four chromed speaker
cans. Light bars are available in anodized silver or black.
The aluminum speaker cans are available in chrome, powder-coated
silver or black and custom powder-coated colors on a special
order basis. |
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Just under the instrument panel a Clarion 5-band equalizer
provides full zone control. While a dedicated sub control
adjusts the subwoofer amplifier, the fader selects between
all deck speakers and the overhead tower speakers. The CD
player pre-level fader adjusts between the two bow speakers
and all the cockpit/tower speakers.
Note the separate neon and tower light bar switches on each
side of the equalizer. |
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We added RCA jacks for an iPod portable MP3 player which utilizes
the auxiliary input on the equalizer. |
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A waterproof hardwired remote control was added to the transom.
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A group 27 auxiliary battery provides the extra reserve needed
when operating the stereo, lights and speed control simultaneously.
The added battery switch allows for isolation so that the stereo
can be played while at anchor for an extended period without
depleting the primary starter battery. |
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Clarion marine coaxials recessed in the bow bolsters. |
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With only two factory speakers on the cockpit deck, increasing
the speaker power in close proximity to the driver was top priority.
We replaced the single pair of coaxials with Clarion marine
separate components. Plus, we added a second pair. In order
to facilitate a speaker on the driver’s side, we fabricated
a new baffle and relocated the factory Clarion free-air 10-inch
sub to make room for a midrange and tweeter. The midrange received
its own chamber on the backside to isolate it from the woofer’s
rear pressure. |
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We sandwiched this port side bulkhead with an amplifier on
both sides. Shown is a Clarion marine four-channel amp. On the
opposite side (not visible) is a matching two-channel amp. |
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| In another MB Sport B-52, we installed
a larger acoustic suspension subwoofer. The sealed box design,
if properly powered, will deliver greater output and power handling
over an infinite baffle or free-air woofer. |
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An enclosure was fabricated from 3/4-inch Medex (exterior
grade versus fiberboard or MDF that are formed with water-based
adhesives). The enclosure is then triple coated with fiberglass
resin and painted with two-part urethane to seal the pours. |
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The enclosure received a Boston Acoustics Pro 12-inch subwoofer
featuring a polypropylene cone, butyl rubber surround and cast
aluminum frame. Not only is the Boston Acoustics woofer constructed
from materials ideal for a marine application but also it only
requires a cubic foot enclosure (small by 12-inch standards).
The enclosure is mounted into place under the driver’s
console and spaced up off the deck with polymer blocks so that
the carpet underneath will dry. |
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| A façade was built out of exterior-grade
birch and covered in a matching mildew-resistant marine carpet.
The façade also provided mounting for an additional coaxial
speaker. |
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A set of factory MB Sport powder-coated aluminum grills
were sourced to match the other four.
A corresponding coaxial was added to the passenger side of
the front of the cockpit giving the boat a total of six matching
coaxials. Getting a pair of speakers located in the front
cockpit area is particularly important because these are in
the best and most audible locations for the driver and primary
passenger. |
| We installed a fused quick-disconnect plug
for easy battery charger access. The hook up of a small portable
trickle charger while in dry storage fully restores the auxiliary
battery and prepares for the following weekend. This certainly
improves the stereo performance but also significantly prolongs
the battery longevity. |
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| Earmark Car Audio ©2004
Earmark Car Audio. All Rights Reserved. Design & Programming
by Ad
Cetera Inc. |
