Enlarging holes for speakers

ChesapeakeChiller

My new Kicker speakers and sub came in today for the cockpit, based on the specs worst case scenario I will need to enlarge a couple of the speaker holes by 1/8" or less. I assume if needed I could just use a barrel sander in my drill, mask and shop vac to enlarge these holes in the fiberglass? A particular paper grit or something else I should consider?

Dream_Inn

I did the same thing in my prior boat.  Just used a half round file and went around a little.  Didn't take much.

ChesapeakeChiller

Thanks I will try that first if needed, sounds less messy yet still cheap/simple.

MarkB

I agree, draw your boarder and use a half round file, or a drill bit with a grinder end. It's not that tough to sand through.

Handymans342

I used a jigsaw

diggin2day1

Dremel w/drum sanding bit.

Cableguy Greg

Before sanding and filing, check and see if the speakers just fit. You might get lucky and they fit.

jme097

Dremel all day. Used one to cut my 6x9's in. Cut like butter 

partlowr

Before you cut a larger hole make sure you have enough time depth as well. I have a friend that cut a larger hole for subs then when he dropped in the sub into the larger hole the magnet hit the back. He had to use spacers and it looked like crap.

MarkB

I was about to post the same warning on the depth. Good point.

Michael T

@CC, you probably know this but you can buy low profile subs if the depth is a problem. 

ChesapeakeChiller

I did all of the measuring before I bought the speakers so I am good depth wise. My worst case scenario is just having to trim less then 1/8" if they didn't have any buffer on their cut out dimension specs. Thank you for the ideas I will just bring a file when I go down to mount them just in case I need to trim.

jme097

I put a 10 inch shallow mount sub in my 280. Perfect fit

Cableguy Greg

jme097 said:

I put a 10 inch shallow mount sub in my 280. Perfect fit

Where did you put it? Any pics?

jme097

@Cableguy Greg put it inder the seat in back of the captains seat. It is a Pioneer 10 inch shallow mount sub that came with the enclosure. Fit perfect between the floor and the lip that the seat bottom sits on it. Then screwed it to the floor with L brackets. I don't have any pics yet but I will be sure to when I get her out of storage next month. Link to the sub is below. Thing sure does pound!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JQTU3QC/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687742&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0054REBYK&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0EFVH84SXB8SYSZYW1C1

Cableguy Greg

@jme097, I now remember you telling me about that sub. I like your idea rather than cutting holes in the boat. I am not a fan of doing that.

jme097

Way better and also you run the risk of it sounding like garbage if you mount it in the fiberglass. The sub works off percussion and air. The greater the box of air behind the sub the worse. 

Mike_G

@jme97 Think that would fit under the same seat on a 260?  Where is your amp for the sub?  Also.. with the seat cushion in place, you can still hear it well?  I'd be interested to see pics also.  -=Mike G.

jme097

@Mike_G  I would think it would fit just fine. My amp is in under the same seat, just screwed to the starboard side wall. I moved one of my three batteries over in my engine compartment so I would have a shorter run for my ground and power. I am running 4 gauge wire (a lot of power) to my amp. When I am in the bay and anchored, the boat thumps pretty good. Both sub and speakers sound great.

I see you're LSC. Where do you keep your 260 at? I live in Shelby Twp but keep at Sassy's

Mike_G

I'm at Hideaway.  Usually in a slip for the weekends, otherwise on a rack.  Usually hit lunch at Island Grill or Browns and then hang out at Grassy Island, Poor Mans, or Big/little Moot depending on water levels.  Sometimes at my buddy cottage on Green Island near Browns.  If water levels permit, I want to try some other areas/bays this year, but I am not familiar with the "lay of the land" (or water I guess) in those bays (Goose, Fisher, etc.) -=Mike G.

majorboats

Dremel , I just did it on a Rinker 300 2006, went well !

jme097

Dremel is savior lol. Used one to cut in my 6x9's in my 280. Cut like butta

mattie

Dermal cutting bit. Crazy loud.....Crazy fast!

ChesapeakeChiller

Just a follow up, I got the Kicker Marine speakers mounted. Using the file worked well, the drum sander mounted in my drill was faster/smoother. I will take more pics when I wire in the LED's that are in the speaker covers.

Michael T

Great looking job!

raybo3

Nice job........ Looks great....

andyd

I just enlarged my cockpit speaker holes by 1/4". I improvised a bit because I only had one jigsaw blade with me that was already a bit worn. To make the jigsaw work easier, I drilled numerous 1/4" holes spaced closely all around the circumference. I was done sawing in about 30 seconds. I then smoothed the jagged edge using a barrel sander attached to my drill. Throughout this job I held the ShopVac nozzle close to collect the dust and debris.
Andy

06Rinker270

@ChesapeakeChiller how did the LED hook up go for the speakers?  I am looking at the same speaker set up.   Happy with them?