Poor bass response from under helm?

So last year I had two 12" subs in my I/O under the helm (one side firing and one fired towards the bow) and it pounded! Fast forward to this year...I bought a new inboard and built a new enclosure for the same subs and using the same amp. which gives about 1000w @ 12.5v This time both subs face outward towards the driver and it sounds really weak. When you sit in the back row the bass is barely audible when turned all the way up and completely overpowered by the rest of the mids/highs. The subs are moving like crazy but it doesn't seem to have the output audibly.

The only difference that I can think of is that the box is slightly smaller and both subs face outward instead of firing off a wall. Also the new box is built with 3/4 birch and resin coated, the old was 3/4 mdf resin coated. Both are well braced internally. The first pic is the old enclosure the second is the new. Am I missing something? Have other people had success with outward firing sub setups?