Ipod as Stereo System?

[Mr. Osprey]

Would an Ipod make a suitable radio system?

 For speakers I would get small speakers made by Ipod to mount on the console. (Probabaly surround them in marine plywood by making mini boxes to hold/protect them.) Has anyone done this before? Do they make a regular speaker fit to attach to an Ipod?

A couple of people have spoke of doing/done this on there whalers over on CW. Really like the idea of being able to remove ipod unit from boat totally to use on land and so it can't be stolen (off boat.)

What do you all think?

[T-Ed]

I use my iPod with a battery powered Altec Lansing InMotion speaker system/base. The InMotion system usually lives on my desktop at work but it likes going fishing on the weekends. I use Velcro to fasten the unit to the console securely while aboard.
I have yet to create a marine playlist, though.

Cheers.

[RickK]

I guess the question I have is, when the music is playing does the vibration (music) get transmitted into the water via the hull and if so, when fishing does it scare away fish?  I have this vision of what I hear at traffic lights  
If just cruising, doesn't apply.

[T-Ed]

Hmm...I wonder what kind of music might tickle a fish's lateral line and get it to strike at my lures... another thing to experiment with.

[CajunSportsman]

Just install a marine amplifier and run a plug to your iPod headphone jack.  Sounds GREAT.

[Mr. Osprey]

I bought the 30gb Ipod (with video). I now am getting remarks from people that the water will kill it. I plan on keepimg it in the console at all times and also people tell me that the pounding of the hull will kill the iPod as well causing it to break. Should I forget the idea and just use the iPod after I fish or should I be OK?

[CajunSportsman]

I bought a rubber cover for mine at CompUSA that has a scratch-proof screen and even a little flip-up wheel cover and it protects it from 99% of the spray and vibration.  I'd wipe it down with a moist cloth after each use to remove any salt air/residue but if you take precaution to protect it, you're fine.  Make a playlist on it before you leave and you can hit play, wrap the iPod in something soft like a Crown Royal felt bag and rock on with your bad self!

I have mine plugged into a marine amp but plan to put a cheap head unit in between so I can control the volume from the stereo, not the iPod.  Also, it sounds best if you put the iPod volume at about 80% and control the vol with your stereo.  I fugured this out by using my car stereo as the "head unit" and using a cheap casette tape type plug in device to transfer the sound.

-Good luck