Ballpark cost for electronics installation of VHF in electronics box and antenna on T-Top

[dello1]

What I am trying to find out is what I might expect for the cost of mounting a VHF radio and antenna. I have a Twin Vee and it has a T-Top. I want the radio in my electronics box, and the antenna on the antenna mount on the T-Top. I know it differs with each job but I would like to know how much some of you paid to get this done. Did they charge you hourly or by the job?? And yes I just realized I should have posted this in electronics!!!

[cgrand]

bro i don't know what your skill level is, but i do know what mine is and it ain't much...that said i installed my antenna on my top, ran the cable thru the pipes and mounted my vhf in an afternoon

all you need is a drill, some SS fasteners and the connectors for the antenna cable

it is at most a four beer job...

[looneytunes]

It can get very pricey. They wanted $1,300 to mount a am/fm stereo, bose speakers, marine VHF, VHF antenna, am/fm antenna, fuel flow meterr, remote spotlight, gps, and fishfinder on my boat. I did it myself with a little more quality but a lot of my own time. Anything I bolted to the hard top (antennas, spotlight, speakers etc) I actually had stainless steel back plates made and mounted the items with the plates for additional strength. All wiring was fairly easy to get to even running a pull line through my hard top was relatively easy. Any exposed wires were put in casing and all holes were kept to minimal sizes. All areas finished with clam shell. It takes time, but it's well worth it.

As a matter of fact, I took about half of the money I saved and had a custom mooring cover made for the boat. It is not the end of season #1 with the new boat and it still looks and works like new. I have had no issues with my wiring or mounting.

Do it yourself, there is a long winter season ahead of us.

Good luck,

LooneyTunes
Dave

[Boomerang]

2 to 4 hours should give you a good job depending on display mounting (flush or bracket) & antenna leveling & if 12volt is already in the tower & you have an easy run to interface the VHF dsc to your gps. well ,you did say ballpark!

[Mumblerone]

Boomerang...if I haven't said it before; you have a great looking boat there.** What year?**

[tara11]

Hi there, if you are semi mechanical, (better than my spelling) it is really basic, plan what you will do and stare at it until it makes cents, my electronics box came with power, all I had to do was drill holes and solder on connectors and hide wire, do a little reserch, and you can do it, will probally cost you about ( at least here on the west cost) $200.00 or more,to have smoeone else do it, if you own a boat probal;ly you can tackle this

[dwh_1987]

Most of the "pro" wiring work I've seen on boats is an embarrasment.* A good example is my VHF that wouldn't transmit worth anything while my radar was on.* Investigated, found out the dealer had powered my VHF off of a lighting circuit.* I made sure the radio had good solid 12 volt power and its own appropriate fuse, no more problems.* Another was the "professionally installed" livewell aerator.* The dealer didn't install a fuse, just wired it straight to the battery.* I could go on. *

[crackerasscracker]

Seriously, this is pretty easy to do....

There should be at least one if not more plates on your T-Top to attach you antenna...I, as I am sure many others on here can run you through it step by step...

Now, have you picked out your antenna and VHF yet? That is a whole nother topic(s)...

[Boomerang]

Mumblerone - 12/20/2004 8:24 PM

Boomerang...if I haven't said it before; you have a great looking boat there.** What year?**

Thanks Mumbler,very kind of you to say so. It's an '86. Boomer

[fishcop]

Do it yourself, its pretty easy.