Earmark Car Audio - Sea Ray 48 Sundancer

Sea Ray 48 Sundancer

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KVH TracVision & Video

We installed a KVH TracVision in-motion satellite TV antenna on this 48 Dancer hardtop.

Concealed within a salon cabinet we installed the KVH switch and diagnostics port near the Glomex UHF/VHF antenna amplifier. Three ship-to-shore antenna switches provide every possible viewing option. One switch selects between the Glomex UHF/VHF antenna and the dockside satellite TV antenna for two onboard satellite TV receivers. With four TVs on board (salon, fwd. stateroom, aft stateroom and cockpit) two separate satellite TV programs can be watched simultaneously. Plus with the whole boat distribution scheme SAT TV or DVD is an option at every TV.

The Raymarine E-Series display at the helm also functions as a monitor and has independent feeds from both SAT TV receivers and the salon DVD player.

We added a Sharp Aquos 26-inch widescreen LCD to the cockpit sink console. A white powdercoated aluminum stanchion mount provides quick and easy removal and reinstallation. The stanchion consists of three main parts. A pole mount for the LCD, which features a key pin to lock the TV in place. A socket is permanently mounted in the console top. A polymer strike plate protects the socket top flange from damage during insertion and also serves to conceal four HD 5/16” mounting bolts. Precise tolerance keeps this TV mount free of vibration even on choppy waters. EZ removal protects the LCD from severe weather and theft.

A light resistant infrared target provides cockpit control of the satellite TV receivers and the DVD player. IR targets where also added to both staterooms.

An IR target in the salon, concealed behind a vent, allows full control of video sources while hidden behind cabinet doors.

Behind salon cabinet doors are two satellite TV receivers, one radio frequency controlled and one infrared controlled. One of the satellite TV receivers and the DVD player are distributed to whole boat and to the dock so that the cockpit LCD and boathouse TVs can display the same program.

Two ship-to-shore cables carry two satellite TV LNB home runs plus bi-direction distribution of video source outputs and cable TV.

On this 48 Dancer we added a 32-inch LCD TV in the salon. What a difference!

We custom fabricated covers for each side to conceal the heavy-duty tilt bracket behind the LCD.

iPod

An iPod holder at the cockpit helm. The iPod is gripped tightly and quick-released with the touch of a button. A single cable provides power and recharges plus delivers a clean audio output. The menu and control remains on the iPod in this application. Other options are available. A custom-mounting flange conceals the cable penetration.

The iPod is accessed via the CD source unit auxiliary port. An electronic switching system selects various sources for the auxiliary port including helm iPod, ship-to-ship iPod and theater sound from the cockpit LCD TV.

Dockside junction boxes and ship-to-shore links allow one boat’s iPod to be the master while a second boat is the slave in a multi-system sync. This system works while the boats are in the slips or while anchored together out on the water. The perfectly synchronized and seamless output of two powerful systems is impressive.

Cockpit Audio

In the salon the cockpit CD source and CD changer.

An equalizer acts as a discrete six-channel times 7-volt line driver which is vital when using multiple amplifiers. Also, in conjunction with two additional level controls the EQ provides a five-way zone control. Zones include a.) & b.) cockpit interior to exterior fade, c.) dedicated bow, d.) dedicated transom, and e.) dedicated sub level control.

Two three-position switches control concealed electronic selectors. One switch toggles between cockpit TV audio out, salon TV audio out and iPod. A second switch toggles between the helm iPod and the transom iPod input from another boat.

Digital display remote control at the helm.

Hardwired remote on the bow.

Hardwired remote on the transom.

Concealed behind the couch cushions, four Boston Acoustics multi-channel amplifiers drive the cockpit audio system. Also, a view of the power distribution system. A lot of copper cable is required to deliver enough current.

The cockpit received four pair of JL Audio marine separate component speakers. The oversized 7.7-inch drivers produce incredible midbass. The extra surface area is ideal for an open-air marine environment. JL Audio has two versions of the speaker. One version is infinite baffle and designed for flush mounting in the coaming. The other option is an acoustic suspension designed for the small displacement of tower and arch pods.

Two pair in the hardtop at the center of the cockpit.

One pair at the rear of the cockpit.

A pair of white powdercoated spun-aluminum Bullets plus a pair of white-machined tweeter pods house the JL drivers and are positioned deep into the helm dash. Having speakers this far forward is essential to a front image. White polymer flanges adapt the bullet-style pods to the dash.

No mounting hardware is exposed.

At the rear of the cockpit within the bench seat console we installed two Boston Acoustics G5 10-inch subwoofers in waterproof polyurethane enclosures. Aluminum bracketry and polymer risers elevate the down-firing subwoofers at an optimum distance off the soul. The enclosures are also positioned to minimize loss of storage.

Multiple louvered vents allow the bass radiation to freely flow out of the bench seat console.

A JL Audio marine 10-inch subwoofer fills in the helm area with sub bass. The distribution throughout the cockpit is seamless.

Separate front and rear subwoofer amplifiers provide independent gains and crossovers to compensate for the varying phase and amplitude characteristics from different locations. A similar approach is taken with powering and tuning the high-pass cockpit components.

Two pair JL Audio marine components in white Bullet pods are suspended from under the rear hardtop. Polymer contour blocks, also shaped like a bullet, are angle to negate the downward slope of the hardtop interior. The transom pods project out to the slip or to rafters afloat off the swim deck.

JL Audio components in white pods off the bow rails and projecting out over the fore deck. White polymer clamshells and adapter plates allow quick and EZ removal and reinstallation. Stainless steel watertight quick-disconnect plugs in the deck cap simply screw in and out. No tools are required. The marine speakers and powdercoated aluminum pods can stand up to the exterior elements on inland lakes for years.

Security

In the AC service panel we installed a status indicator, coded valet switch and radar field control switch.

Twin LEDs in the stern light reflector warn away would-be theives.

Just a few of the security amenities include flashing and strobe lights, siren, pulsing air horns, physical switches on all hatches, radar field sensor, back-up battery with isolation module and charger, courtesy lights and much more. Peripheral components are on separate fused circuits to protect the core components. All of the core components are buried within the cabin. Although comprehensive, this security system is almost invisible. Infrared night vision cameras can be viewed 24/7 via the Internet.

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