How to Install a Marine Radio in a Fiberglass Console

Installing a marine radio in a fiberglass console -- a recessed in-dash mounting, like a car stereo -- is a project where appearances count. It's also a project that's complicated by having to install an external speaker for the radio, since the conventional speaker will be buried in the dash. Nonetheless, if you don't want to complicate your boat's appearance, consider mounting your marine VHF radio in, rather than on, your boat's control console.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • China marker
  • Wire ties
  • Duct tape
  • Drill
  • 1/2-inch bit
  • Jigsaw
  • Half-round file
  • 80-grit sandpaper
  • 1/8-inch drill bit
  • Marine silicone caulk
  • Screwdriver
  • Waterproof faceplate
  • External speaker
  • 150-grit sandpaper
  • 5/16-inch box-end wrench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the body of the radio -- not the face -- with a measuring tape. Mark out a rectangle the size of the radio on the dash using a china marker.

    • 2

      Center the waterproof faceplate over the rectangle. Mark the mounting holes around the edge of the rectangle.

    • 3

      Open the console hatch and inspect the area under the dash. If your boat is equipped with power steering, don't cut through hydraulic steering lines or wiring. Use wire ties and duct tape to move wiring and lines away from the area to be cut away.

    • 4

      Drill a hole in the dash with the drill and a 1/2-inch bit. Insert the jigsaw into the hole. Cut out the section of the dash you marked out for the radio. Smooth the edges of the cutout with a half-round file and 80-grit sandpaper.

    • 5

      Change drill bits to the 1/8-inch bit. Drill pilot holes at the locations marked for the mounting screws for the waterproof faceplate.

    • 6

      Lay a thin bead of marine silicone caulk around the edge of the hole. Insert the radio into the hole in the dash. Secure the radio in place with the screws provided and a screwdriver.

    • 7

      Align the mounting holes of the waterproof faceplate with the pilot holes around the radio. Thread the mounting screws provided with the faceplate into the mounting holes. Tighten securely with the screwdriver.

    • 8

      Loosen one the unused screws on the common power bus, located inside the console. Loosen one of the screws on the common ground. Attach the red lead to the power bus and tighten the screw snugly. Attach the black lead to the common ground, tightening the screw securely.

    • 9

      Locate the coaxial cable connection on the rear of the radio. Insert the pin of the F-connector -- the connector on the end of the coaxial cable -- of the antenna's coaxial cable into the center hole of the connection. Push the F-connector cover over the radio's coaxial connection and screw the F-connector cover onto the radio's connection.

    • 10

      Position the external speaker on the console. Mark the mounting holes with the china marker. Move the speaker and drill the mounting holes, plus an additional hole for the speaker wire.

    • 11

      Push the speaker wire into the console. Set the speaker in place and secure it with its mounting screws.

    • 12

      Push the speaker wire's jack into the jack connection on the rear of the radio. Caulk the hole where the speaker wire penetrates the dash. Smooth the caulk with the tip of your finger. Allow the caulk to cure fully -- 24 hours -- and sand the caulking smooth with 150-grit sandpaper.