Where have you guys mounted your amps in a Cafe? I was either thinking about under the back seat somewhere? Or the little closet / storage thing on the port side in there? Looking for ideas.

thanks!

Back seat they’ll get wet if you’re in and out of the water a lot. Ours were mounted on all 3 of our cigs in the little storage closet on the port side as you go into the cabin. We had a small
fan in our first gun because it will get HOT in there
in the summer heat. Even in the current gun if we’re playing music for a while I’ll open the door to get some airflow in there.

cafe set up.

I also mounted mine in the closet as well. I did not mount them to the wall but made a bracket that bolted to the bottom and held them upright keeping them off the wall for air to circulate around them to help keep them cooler.

I had an amp on my old Cafe in the storage closet. This was older tech, but it constantly overheated and ruined the mood right when things were getting fun - even with fans and the door open, Virginia summers just didn’t have any air flow.

I was a younger man then - funny looking back on it. I barely even need a stereo in my current cig.

I'm not familiar with the Cafe cabin, I have a cover girl cabin and I built a standoff amp rack out of Kingboard/PVC board. The top of the rack is open and I made a raceway into upper storage cabinet for the wiring.

Totally different boat I know but in my Nordic I built a false wall on the stbd side behind the helm an ran all the wires through so you don't see them...I hate seeing wires but if it's unavoidable at least make them look nice like tanks above.

I think you meant Jims, lol My wires were showing a bit in the Cafe. I think the Top Gun the wires are hidden. Can't remember as the system came with the boat. Jim's set up (and yours) looks like some show quality install sh*t. Bad azz!

how do you like that sound digital stuff? I’m shopping currently. JL is my go to but good lord has it gotten expensive over the years. I know it’s all the craze but dang! lol I don’t mind spending the money but surely there is an alternative that’s close to for a little less! LOL

mine are in the cabinet as well, on a board

Sound digital was very nice. Powered two 12" Fosgate subs and 3 sets of Fosgate separates. Clean, loud, nice. Fosgate isn't my favorite but Buddy got them for me at cost!

I've had a LOT of high-end car audio systems. At one time I had 12 12" JL subs in a suburban show stereo. Started off with old school Kicker systems then when JL was getting started and came out strong switched over to JL. Ran multiple systems. My go to though was JL Subs, MB Quart mids and highs pushed by Precision Power amps. This was before stereo companies were offering all components (subs, components, amps, receivers, etc). So, you had to piece out your systems. And I still believe the best system is built not package purchased. I don't think each big brand builds the best everything. I think each have some great products and some OK products. Running German Maestro marine speakers in the gun. It came with the current system. 6 sets of the GM 6.5 coaxle speakers and 2 12" GM subs under the rear seat in separate enclosures. Frankly, I don't remember what amps are in it. It's clean and loud enough. My days of trying to be the loudest on the water are over and frankly, if the boat is running, you can barely hear the stereo with 2k HP running through nearly dry pipes. But if I were to build a fresh boat stereo, It'd be JL speakers, PPI amps and either Kicker or JL head unit. Close second speaker wise would be Kicker's Marine lineup. Very nice stuff and they're actually releasing a new line soon. Was asked to be the demo boat boat a huge rebated price but I'm spending enough money on the boat and like I said, the stereo is actually pretty nice. Another amp I'd HIGHLY consider and is SUPER underrated is Zapco. Never heard cleaner power from a smaller package. Really tiny amps that pack a sh*t load of umf.