What is your favorite mod or improvement on your bow rider?

Bumble

Bumble

New Member
Aug 5, 2013
30
Lake Hopatcong, NJ to Ponce Inlet, FL
Boat Info
2006 195 Sport
Engines
Mercruiser 4.3 MPI with A1 Drive
Looking to get some ideas on some improvements for my 195. Mine doesn't have the premium sound, so I only have 2 speakers. With no sound in the bow, I'm looking to add that along with a better stereo with MP3 and maybe remote. I also want some LED interior lighting...not Disco flashing stuff, just some nice courtesy lights so we don't have to search for flashlights cruising at night.
While I'm at it though, I wanted to see what other sport boat owners have done to improve or modify their boat. I would love some underwater LED lighting, but that is for sure a want and not a need, and I'm not thrilled at the idea of drilling through the transom for cosmetic lighting.
Live seen lots of posts with great changes...so feel free to show them off!
 
Led lights in the gunnel storage areas, led trim rings for the speakers. Led lighting in the engine area. Going to replace the factory amp this winter with a more powerfull one
 
I switched out the factory fixed wakeboard racks for a swivel wakeboard rack and a waterski rack.

The swivel rack was a mistake, because having the boards swing around is akward and clumsy and I keep itin the fixed position.

However, the waterski rack was a good move, because it keeps me from having to open and close the ski locker - which was a pain in the butt, making people play musical chairs to get out of the way.

High Five prop was a good move, wish I had done it before installing Smart Tabs - I may not have needed them.
 
I've got the LED lighting under the gunnels, be sure to use red colored lights to preserve your night vision. I also installed speakers in boxes on long wires to place up on my stern locker. We go to a sand bar and camp on a beach sometimes, so we're in the water listening to music. Now we can hear it without cranking the sound system way up, speakers are pointed right out back of boat. But my favorite upgrade is the new Bimini I just put in, I was out in the rain last Wed. and stayed dry! And I don't get an Irish tan from baking out in the sun anymore.
 
I've done pretty much everything you are looking at tackling!!! Pictures of our boat are at the link in my signature!!!
 
Merge360 said:
I've done pretty much everything you are looking at tackling!!! Pictures of our boat are at the link in my signature!!!
Click to expand...

Wow... looks AMAZING! Now that you opened a can of worms for me digging for info on you, tell me about what you did. I'm looking to do something like that on the interior, and trying to find a good LED option. I wasn't sure of strips, rounds, etc. Also, did you already have the 4 speaker option or did you cut in for the bow speakers? For the lights on the swim platform, are those more shining down on the water or are they underwater? Any reason for going high on them? Finally, did you do the coolers? I have the L shaped seating with the smaller cooler on the port side behind the swivel chair. I don't know if that was how the 195 was with the regular seating or not.
Thanks!
 
I love my additional LED strip lights and courtesy lights. I added 2 speaders, 3 amps, replaced my existing speakers and added 2 (10") subs. So far, I have added (3) 12 volt outlets and (3) USB charger plugs. This helps with charging phones, laptops, tools and so on. Second bilge pump is a HUGE + (wired to an extra switch in my dash). VHF radio is very important for us on the big water. I upgraded my oil filter to a larger one (still using the factory remote oil filter mount). I removed the stupid cooler frame inside the storage area. 2nd battery and onboard charger has worked out very well.

I am thinking of re-mounting my bimini top strap eyes to the windshield as I hate the buzzing sound they make. I am also thinking about mounting the stern light to the top of my bimini top as I hate the 5' long pole light. Another idea is a bimini pole mounted flag as I have lost (2) flags so far.

Next mod is more LED strip lights and underwater lights.

#1 Mod by far was SMART TABS
 
surfinjoe said:
I love my additional LED strip lights and courtesy lights. I added 2 speaders, 3 amps, replaced my existing speakers and added 2 (10") subs. So far, I have added (3) 12 volt outlets and (3) USB charger plugs. This helps with charging phones, laptops, tools and so on. Second bilge pump is a HUGE + (wired to an extra switch in my dash). VHF radio is very important for us on the big water. I upgraded my oil filter to a larger one (still using the factory remote oil filter mount). I removed the stupid cooler frame inside the storage area. 2nd battery and onboard charger has worked out very well.

I am thinking of re-mounting my bimini top strap eyes to the windshield as I hate the buzzing sound they make. I am also thinking about mounting the stern light to the top of my bimini top as I hate the 5' long pole light. Another idea is a bimini pole mounted flag as I have lost (2) flags so far.

Next mod is more LED strip lights and underwater lights.

#1 Mod by far was SMART TABS
Click to expand...
Which light strips you use?
 
4. New JVC receiver and Polk marine speakers - beats the crap out of the OEM Clarion that was in the boat and I don't even have a sub. My front speakers are also able to be removed from the boat and aimed which is nice when we're beached.
3. 2nd battery with combiner - beach it and play the stereo to your heart's content secure in the knowledge it is going to crank at going home time
2. Smart Tabs - the ride is SO much smoother now with less wandering and porpoising, and a much better hole shot.
1. Swim platform add on from swimplatforms.com - 2 more feet of boat! The boat is much safer now that the entire stern drive is covered by the platform, plus it makes getting into and out of the boat a breeze, particularly when doing water sports.
 
Last edited:
I haven't made too many mods yet, but my favorite so far is, stereo remote at the helm, 10" sub and 5 channel amp. Sounds awesome!
Next is going to be High 5 prop.
 
blonde.jpg


My favorite bow modification...
 
I'm sorry, you win the mod. contest! Great rail mount!
I did change all my cockpit lights to red LEDs (great for running at night) good night vision and no bugs. V-berth is red LEDs too!
Friends say it looks like a brothel. How do they know!!
 
Install Bennett trim tabs with auto switch.
 
I have one of those on my bow as well, called " my wife"! Yes, I am a very lucky guy! I would be glad to do any mods, if I can ever get beyond these dang repairs that keep popping up. Had to put it in the shop today to have the gimbal bearing and U Joint replaced. I guess these kind of things come with the territory when one buys a used 1990 boat. The only mod I have done so far, in the 14 months I have had it, was to install a Garmin 531S GPS unit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,148
Messages
1,427,299
Members
61,058
Latest member
Axlthepaxl
Back
Top