Our Boat is Rocking

OHYES! This is it. Our boat is rocking.

A couple of weeks ago we met John and Russell, aboard John’s Witch of Albion, on the pontoons at the Folly Inn. We were pleased to meet them as the entire pontoon seemed full of OAPs; John and Russell were younger.

James and I went ashore for a BBQ, then headed back to miley for an early night (hah!). As we came alongside miley in our tender, we could hear some music playing and saw John and Russell sitting in their cockpit. As we climbed aboard miley, they asked us if we’d like to join them for a drink. Of course we would - but just the one, we’re headed for an early night.

As soon as we stepped into Witch’s cockpit, that was it. Our priorities for miley changed instantly.

Sure, we could forgo fixing the autohelm; the sink in the heads could wait; the dying bowthruster battery would be put on hold. But we had to buy some cockpit speakers. And a subwoofer. And some bookshelf speakers for the saloon. John’s music system engulfed us, and we were filled with envy.

James has always said we need cockpit speakers, and whilst I’ve always agreed, I’ve never really done anything about it (I generally pay for boat bits).

Yesterday - less than two weeks later - we opened the door at my parents’ house to a UPS delivery man. I greeted him with a “Thank God for that!”, we paid £15.11 in import duties (VAT and handling fee) and took ownership of a pair of JBL ms9200 marine 6×9 speakers. British retail price: £160. We paid: £105 inc. import duties from the USA. Cockpit IBE [In Boat Entertainment, of course] here we come!

As well as sorting out the cockpit speakers, we also wanted to do something with the audio setup inside. Until yesterday, we were driving two 13cm Pulse component speakers through a 2 x 90w Pulse amp, connected to James’ Savic 55wx4 car head unit. Whilst the setup held sentimental factor - my dad designed the speakers and amp and had them manufactured when he was in his 20s; he ran a car-audio company called Pulse, and Aston martin even fitted the systems to their cars - the speakers were mounted in the headlining so they just sounded crap. Unfortunately miley has a lack of decent mounting space on bulkheads, especially for something like speakers.

Whilst James was still keen on trying to fit some 6×9s somewhere inside, we both knew there isn’t really anywhere to mount them. So, we thought about bookshelf speakers. I had some Gale 3020s at my parents’ house, which sound amazing for what they are but unfortunately are rather too big to fit anywhere onboard.

So, whilst waiting for the UPS man to turn up, we made a trip to Richer Sounds. We took my audiophile father with us and listened to a few sets of small, cheapish bookself speakers. In the end we settled for a pair of diddy Q Acoustic 1010i speakers, which are solidly built, sound great for what they are, and have one bass port and the low end to go with it. At £60 a pair they are a real bargain - but here’s a tip: our speakers were £70 in-store but £60 on their website - they were more than happy to match the web price in-store.

We left my parents’ house at 3:15pm, and 7 hours later, we invited a friend onboard and were sat in the cockpit, hurricane lamp glowing, cockpit & bookshelf speakers singing sweet sweet music. (Subwoofer still to come.)

IBE is a necessity, kids.