I need to replace my POS stereo in the Baja. My question is, does it have to be marine? It will be in a water proof cover and I don't leave the boat in the water over night except for a few trips to LOTO and I allways cover the boat when not in the water.

Just trying to save a little cash. I actually had a car stereo in the .21 Special for 10 years and it still works fine.

I have a non marine stereo and non marine speakers in my boat. Kids get in wet all the time and I have never had any problems. My old boat had non marine in it also and it ran great for ten years with no problem. I have a freind that owns a audio store and he told me that as long as it is not exposed to water on a regular basis they will be fine.

The marine units have a circuit board that is dipped in epoxy. I bought a marine unit and it was lame.

Then I bought an Alpine 9807 and I love it.
If you are really concerned, take it out off season so it doesn't get condensation in it so much.

If you aren't in salt water, (sounds like you aren't) you should be fine. It's the salt air that gets inside the electronics so bad. No matter what you do.