Supra
Click on any of the pictures below to see a larger version.
This Supra Launch represents the first of an impressive new model for ’05.
In fact, this particular boat was the fourth built of the new model.
Waterski Boats of Dallas requested a system for this demonstrator that reflected our installation capabilities, so this boat is loaded!

Starting with the source unit, we used the factory Kenwood CD player which is well featured with provisions for both source and power expansion.
A hardwired remote control was added to the transom.
We also equipped this Supra with a waterproof radio frequency remote control that delivers all the same functions as the transom remote but from a minimum distance of 50 feet.

The source unit fades from six tower speakers to all six of the bow and cockpit speakers plus the subwoofer. An underdash dedicated subwoofer level control completes the three-zone scheme.

With twelve speakers plus a subwoofer there are certain impedance and stability issues to consider so we chose dual Boston Acoustics four-channel amplifiers. These Boston amps are fan-cooled and are rated to operate one-ohm stereo or two-ohm bridged. For the most part we ran the amp at a more conservative two-ohm stereo and four-ohm bridged. The only exception was the tower speakers which ran off two-channels with a nominal load of 1.33 ohms. Contrastly, the other half of the amp has the lightest load, driving the bow speakers at four-ohm stereo. An equitable division of workload between two amplifiers and eight channels keeps the system running during the hottest days. The multi-channel scheme also allows for perfect gain matching.

We fabricated a birch amp panel clad in a matching marine-grade carpet. This also conceals the cabling. The factory locker light was relocated to the new panel. Concealed behind the panel we ran a drain line from the overhead drink holder into the bilge.

A vinyled cap at the base of the amplifier further conceals all wiring.

A 200 amp DC breaker and dual 4-gauge cables connect the amplifiers to the battery.
A pair of Alpine 6 1⁄2-inch coaxils provide plenty of sound for the bow occupants.
The cockpit, being the most crucial location, received matching Alpine separate components. With separate tweeters and more robust midbass drivers these component speakers offer greater power handling and a much smoother response. Four passive crossover networks are concealed behind the combing.

A Boston Acoustics Pro Series 12-inch subwoofer is mounted under the driver’s console. This cast frame woofer ideally operates in a small volume of one cubic foot.

We constructed an enclosure from 3⁄4-inch solvent-based fiberboard that is sealed internally with a solvent-based primer and is sealed externally with several coats of polyester resin. The box is then elevated off of the deck with a birch riser that also serves to provide a gap for factory cables to run in their original path without obstruction.

A 3⁄4-inch clear plexiglass window is sealed with a seamless silicon gasket ensuring that this box will remain air tight.

The enclosure is covered in a marine rubber-backed carpet.

Birch wings provide mounting for the carpeted cover.

Four sides of the enclosure’s interior received mirrored plexiglass.
Once the carpeted birch façade is in place only a window is exposed providing a view to the sub box interior. The cover façade features an open slot against the hull side to help vent the bass radiation.
Six black powder-coated spun-aluminum enclosures adorn the tower. Each bullet-shaped enclosure received our triple damping treatment inside which greatly improves the sound quality. Each enclosure is equipped with binding post terminals. Every tower penetration received a chassis grommet to retard chaffing.
Six Alpine coaxils project out over the transom and feature adjustable tweeters for wider dispersion.
Six halogen lamps, all directed to the rear, light up the rider when boarding at night. Wires passing between the front and rear tower rails are totally concealed without external loops. Thru-deckcap penetrations are also concealed for all tower wiring. Since the tower light bar can draw nearly 30 amps the high-current service is run directly to the battery. Rather than handling the current directly the control switch operates dual 30 amp Bosch relays.
Part of the lighting package includes two LED light bars that edge-light the subwoofer enclosure’s plexiglass window.

The plexiglass window features a Supra logo etching which effectively diffracts the edge lighting. The etching is the only part that is illuminated.
Blue LED light bars provide indirect lighting under the driver’s console and within each of the cockpit’s combing pockets.
A three-position switch allows the indirect lighting to be set to “manual on”, “off”, or “automatic on.” The automatic mode uses a radar field sensor and timer to trip the lights on for 15 seconds whenever someone steps into the boat.
A 1⁄4-inch ABS control panel underdash conceals two water-resistant marine switches under rubber boots. One switch controls the tower lights while the other switch controls the cockpit’s indirect lighting.
You can see and hear this boat in person at Waterski Boats of Dallas on I-35E in Lewisville.
Earmark Car Audio

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