The owner of this 2009 Fountain 38 Tournament Edition boat contacted Ocala Car Audio about having an audio system installed. We had installed an audio system in a boat for a friend of his and got the referral based on our workmanship. This client wanted the best for his boat, so we designed an audio system using JL Audio marine amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers. The client loved our plan and gave the OK to start the project to upgrade his Fountain 38TE audio system.

Stage One: Speaker Upgrades

Three speakers and one subwoofer were squeezed onto this panel for a LOT of audio output!

The storage locker speakers required a bit of live-well modification, but it was worth it!

The overhead speakers help ensure everyone has great sound.

We choose JL Audio’s top of the line marine speakers for this boat.

The client wanted something that would get loud. Not just a little loud – very loud! We started by choosing a location for a pair of JL Audio M12IB6-SG-WH 12-inch subwoofers. Each of these monster subs was flanked by three M880-CCX-SG-WLD-B 8.8-inch coaxial speakers. Think about the sheer cone area of that combination! These speakers provide sound for the forward seating area.

We mounted another pair of M880-CCX-SG-WLD-B coaxial speakers in the aft storage locker. We had to reshape the live well to allow the speakers to fit. A slight modification to the well was a better option than making spacers for the speakers.

We mounted the fifth pair of speakers in the overhead radio box. The speakers point straight down at the helm. We used sound deadening to damp any vibrations from the radio box itself.

The last pair of speakers is on the stern of the boat to provide sound to swimmers or friends while the boat is anchored at the sandbar.

Stage Two: Amplification

JL Audio provided the power that rocks this boat.

Dual zone control is just one of the benefits of the Fusion radio.

Since we had a total of 12 speakers and a pair of subwoofers, we needed that many amplifier channels as well. We created an amp rack for three JL Audio MHD600/4 and two MHD750/1 amplifiers. The amp rack is mounted in the locker under the helm and is constructed of starboard. Each speaker in the system has its very own amp channel. We configured the Fusion marine radio that was already on the boat to provide two volume zones. The speakers in the radio box can be adjusted separately from the rest.

It took us two weeks to complete the project. We used T-Spec V10 power and ground wire with Stinger distribution blocks. We had to enlarge many of the factory speaker openings and cut new holes to accommodate the massive 8.8-inch speakers. We treated every speaker to a run of new speaker wire for maximum efficiency and reliability.

Fountain 38TE Audio System Delivery

When the client returned to Ocala Car Audio to hear his system for the first time, he was both stunned and thrilled with the way it sounds.

If your boat needs an audio system upgrade, drop by the store or contact us HERE to get started.