Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht
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With a KVH TracVision the owners of this Sea Ray 480 Motoryacht can watch satellite TV anywhere on the water or in motion.
 
The 480 features a pad for the KVH 4 on its hardtop. The pad has a 1% forward lean to level the KVH while motoring.
   
Concealed in a salon cabinet we installed the KVH power switch and diagnostic port along with a ship-to-shore antenna switch.
   
When we added a second satellite  TV receiver we also added a second ship-to-shore antenna switch.
   
The satellite TV receiver was mounted within the cabinet under the salon LCD in a manner that consumed very little storage space. The Sat TV receiver is distributed to every TV on the boat.
   
An infrared target was placed in the base of the salon TV cabinet for the remote control of the Sat TV receiver and DVD player while these sources are concealed behind closed doors.
   
The audio output of the salon LCD is run into the auxiliary input of the cabin stereo. The stereo’s power and speakers are infinitely more capable of theater sound as compared to the TV’s self-contained speakers.
   
Radio frequency remote fobs are the ideal theater sound accessory allowing you to control the Clarion stereo from anywhere in the cabin. We labeled each remote as to its source and the modulation channel. This little extra is always appreciated.
   
In the course of building a full salon surround sound system we added a six-channel EQ that provides greater control plus more pre-amp voltage. The EQ is installed in a black laminate panel and inserted in the location previously occupied by the CD changer. We wanted all the audio controls neatly packaged together.
   
Infrared emitters transfer remote control commands to Sat TV one and the DVD player.
   
Control is accessable from the salon, two larger staterooms and cockpit.
   
We added a second Sat TV receiver into the boat’s RF distribution scheme. Sat TV two features a radio frequency remote control which also allows full control from anywhere on the boat or from out on the slip. The RF control eliminates any conflict with the IR control system.
   
We rebuilt the ship-to-shore outlet on the transom to facilitate dual satellite TV home runs. The KVH TracVision also received a second home run to simultaneously service two Sat TV receivers while out on the open water.
   
A dockside triple LNB antenna feeds the two Sat TV receivers while the boat is parked under the boathouse.
   
A watertight non-metallic junction box houses and protects connections and the electronic components that allow bi-directional use of the ship-to-shore cables and delivers the ship’s various audio/video sources to the boathouse TV. The dockside TV serves to demodulate the Sat TV and DVD RF distribution from the boat. In turn the dockside TV delivers the video soundtrack to  a stereo receiver and four dockside speakers.
   
Overhead at the front ( per TV orientation) of the salon we installed Boston Acoustics NX Series coaxils. These are a favorite due to their soft dome tweeters and smooth response. The attributes of the BA NXs are ideal for confined cabin spaces versus outdoor open-environments. We re-wrapped the grills with an acoustically transparent cloth making a significant improvement.
   

At the rear of the salon we installed a pair of Canton two-way enclosures. These are the perfect speakers for rear ambience. We dyed both the speakers and brackets to match the interior vinyl.

   

Under the port and starboard salon couches, we added down-firing 8-inch subwoofers and louvered vents. Split subs produce a uniform bass output throughout the salon making every seat the best seat.

   
We removed the factory tube TV and DVD combo set from the aft master stateroom and installed a 20–inch LCD. The LCD is totally concealed when not in use.
   
Later we added a DVD player just under the master stateroom LCD TV.
   
Just under the LCD, an infrared target was added for control of the central Sat TV receiver.
   
The master stateroom also features two overhead speakers and a dedicated ten-step volume control with full off.
   

We installed a 15-inch LCD in the forward stateroom.

   

Later we added a DVD player under the LCD TV in the forward stateroom. We also added an infrared target in the forward stateroom for Sat TV control.

   

The forward stateroom features stereo speakers and a local volume control with full off.

   
We added AC power, antenna distribution and a 13–inch LCD in the mid-ship cabin.  The LCD features audio/video inputs on it’s side for a Playstation, Gamecube or X-box.
   
An articulating cantilever bracket allows the LCD to rest against the cabinet or swing out at any vertical or horizontal angle for optimum viewing. We modify the bracket to have greater resistance against movement for when the boat encounters choppy waters.
   
Within a cedar closet directly behind the mid-ship LCD the mounting provisions and wiring that would otherwise be exposed are concealed in a custom-built cedar enclosure.
   
We added a 20–inch LCD to the cockpit area. While the LCD TV is portable the LCD power supply is concealed and hardwired. This makes connection and disconnection very convenient.
   
An exterior-light-resistant infrared target was added to the cockpit to provide remote control of the satellite TV receiver.
   
The audio output of the cockpit LCD is directed to the auxiliary input of the cockpit Clarion CD player. Now, theater sound is supported by a 480 watt amplifier, four coaxils and a 10–inch subwoofer.
   

Later we installed a permanent bracket out on the cockpit sink for the 20-inch LCD TV. The aluminum mount was powdercoated ‘white’ and features a wire raceway through the interior.

A quick-release bracket at the top of the mount still allows EZ removal and reinstallation of the LCD TV.

   
A full-featured digital-display hardwired remote control at the helm.
   
We added a second remote control in the transom making adjustments more convenient from the slip and  when swimming or floating off the swim deck.
   
Clarion 6-disc changer concealed in the cockpit sink locker.
   
Hideaway Clarion SIRIUS tuner module in cockpit console.
   
The hatch over the cockpit sink console locker conceals a subwoofer, CD changer, satellite radio tuner, equalizer and dual zone controls.
   

The EQ in combination with dual perimeter controls provides a five-zone control system including 1.) interior cockpit speakers, 2.) sub level control, 3.) exterior speakers, 4.) bow speakers and 5.) transom speakers. The EQ also delivers a 7-volt times six-channel line driver for outstanding dynamic range.
   

Four front speakers use the angle-mount tweeters to evenly disperse the sound.

A pair of rear speakers angle the tweeters forward.

   
At the very rear of the cockpit a down-firing polyurethane subwoofer enclosure contains a Boston Acoustics 10-inch driver. Aluminum bracketry, stainless steel hardware, polymer spacers, flexloom, gold-plated binding post and banana jack plus a stainless steel watertight deck gland make this a very secure installation.
   

Two white louvered vents allow the bass radiation to flow through the rear seat console.

   
A second and forward 10-inch subwoofer faces out of the cockpit sink console.
   
Inside the locker a white polymer panel totally conceals the front subwoofer enclosure.
   
A pair of Boston Acoustics waterproof two-way speakers mount to the transom rail via four polymer clamshell brackets.
   
When the transom speakers and brackets are removed only a pair of two-conductor watertight plugs and screw-on caps remain.
   

Out on the bow a pair of identical Boston Acoustics attach to the rail and project back toward the bow deck sun pads. Again, quick and easy removal and reinstallation is a standard feature.

Not shown but concealed behind the salon are three four-channel amplifiers. One four-channel amplifier drives the exterior bow and transom speakers. A second four-channel drives the six cockpit coaxils high-pass. While we have two-channel amplifiers that are rated for the load, the additional channels provide the ability to perfectly level match the six overhead speakers. A third four-channel amplifier is bridged into two-channels to drive independent subwoofers. This scheme delivers the ability to crossover and gain the two subwoofers asymmetrically. Because the two subs are acoustically loaded in a slightly different manner the independent controls allow for us to perfectly tune the subs together for a uniform and seamless distribution of bass.

   

Inside and out this motor yacht rocks!!!

   
Earmark Car Audio