I want to replace and add a pair of 6.5" speakers in my boat. It came with some rear ones but i will have to cut out holes to mount the other pair in the bow. What is the safest and most effective way to do this as I have never installed speakers in a boat before. <BR> <BR>Thanks!!!

Shannon, <BR>Try doing a search or just going through some of the archives. You'll find plenty of info if none of the stereo gurus answer you here.

Roto zip.

Put masking tape over the area where you're going to cut, drill a starting hole by running the drill in reverse through the gel coat, then use a roto zip or a dremmel tool with a roto zip style bit.

first thing you should do is pull the seat out alot of boats are pre cut in the back of the seat all ya need to do is cut through

Roto-zip tool (Black and Decker cheaper than Dremel, or rent one). Get extra bits as I went thru 3 of them adding 2 speakers under the windshield and the thick areas are tough (You can always take back the ones you dont open). I highly reccomend practicing on a spare piece of wood first as it takes a few tries to get used to how the roto-zip tools can buck and you dont want to screw up on your gelcoat. Also, like you've heard before, measure at least twice, cut once!

shannon ,, where did you wanna put the other speakers ,, i have the same boat ,, and you can add speakers under each side of the driver and pass seat ,, also you can add some up front just back of the grab handles . If you have any boat specific questions pm me and i will be glad to help ..

The fiberglass makes a huge mess and like J Beranamo said, make sure you have extra bits. Have someone hold a shopvac within inches of where you're cutting and it will make cleanup a lot easier. You can try taking it to a stereo shop. It shouldn't cost too much to have them cut the holes. Just another option to look into.