Boaters and Their Music

Why your boat’s audio system and the brand you choose really matters.
Boaters listening to music
Boating provides the perfect platform to kick back and enjoy time with friends. No doubt, great music and sound is a big part of that experience. Images Courtesy Kicker Marine Audio

There are five ways to experience the world around us: what we see, touch, taste, smell and hear. When it comes to boating, all these senses come into play and ultimately impact our experience on the water.

While onboard, imagine for a moment the unbridled joy of viewing a spectacular sunset … or watching dolphins dancing in your wake. Consider the touch of your hands on the wheel and the throttle, the sheer power and adrenaline pumping as you shift forward, open up and unleash the horses! And, who among the boating community doesn’t love the enticing freshness of a cool breeze, the sun on your face or warm salt air? And finally, we’d all agree that everything simply tastes better when you’re boating, from icy cold beverages, to refreshing fruit or delicious picnic lunches enjoyed on a sandy beach.

Dolphins out swimming
While onboard, imagine for a moment the unbridled joy of viewing a spectacular sunset…or watching dolphins dancing in your wake. Peter Fegden, Unsplash

When it comes to the magic of sound, boaters thrill to laughter of kids splashing in the waves, or the roar of the engine, or the mesmerizing lullaby of water gently slapping the hull. For many, boating is inextricably connected to the sound of music. That universal language transcends space and time, instantly setting the mood for fun and adventure.

So the million dollar question: how good is YOUR sound system? Do you love what you hear?

Since its launch in 1973 by music aficionado Steve Irby who remains actively engaged at the helm, KICKER Marine Audio has always been about the sound. A well-known player in the mobile car and truck market for nearly 50 years, KICKER has brought its years of experience to benefit the boaters. Today, the company sets the benchmark for product innovation, quality, durability and performance in each of the unique markets it serves.

In the marine space, KICKER Marine Audio currently offers a wide array of products, ranging from subwoofers and speakers with LED lighting, to amplifiers and its signature horn-loaded tower systems. With dozens of patents on its product line, KICKER Marine Audio consistently pushes the boundaries of product excellence, backing it with extensive training for its dealers and installers nationwide, along with plenty of customer support for the DIYers.

Kicker KMTC11 Speakers
Kicker KMTC11 Speakers Images Courtesy Kicker Marine Audio

One major distinction KICKER delivers is an industry-best warranty to ensure customer satisfaction and enjoyment for years to come, the result of exhaustive R & D with products thoroughly tested against the rigors of the harsh marine environment.

According to KICKER executives, it all begins with the thought process.

As KICKER’s engineers and designers consider what is required to set the bar in the recreational marine space, they analyze everything in the process, including the product design, material selection and resistance capability vs. the elements. The team focuses on key concerns like corrosion and UV resistance, along with ensuring sealed designs, drainage and electrical connections.

For example, KICKER’s team developed a proprietary method to maintain dryness inside of its speakers, while simultaneously allowing pressure – caused by temperature changes – to escape. This is just one example of the type of thorough thought processes, backed by extensive factory-mandated testing, that every product undergoes prior to release.

KICKER speakers with LED lights
KICKER deploys a mix of rock-solid music, plenty of fine-tuned vibration and your own custom LED light show. Images Courtesy Kicker Marine Audio

KICKER amplifiers also feature conformal coated circuit boards, gasketed screw-down control covers, and gasket sealed input connections, all important characteristics and unique distinctions. Every design component has been strategically designed and produced to provide crucial protection that creates high-quality sound while ensuring product longevity.

In today’s world of high-tech bells and whistles, the audio experience extends far beyond audio. LED lighting and ambient effects are just as much a part of the overall boating experience as the sound itself. KICKER deploys a mix of rock-solid music, plenty of fine-tuned vibration and your own custom LED light show. Lighting packages feature completely potted and encapsulated RGB lighting elements that are fully sealed, protected from corrosion and moisture. The controller and associated electronics are designed with performance in mind; noise from high-speed circuit switching is completely hidden within the audio system.

Kicker speakers on a tower
In today’s world of high-tech bells and whistles, the audio experience extends far beyond audio. Images Courtesy Kicker Marine Audio

When you’re ready to tune in and upgrade your boat’s audio system to maximize your music experience, visit your local dealer to explore KICKER Marine Audio. For a full list of available products, current patents, dealer locator and other information on the brand, cruise on over to KICKER’s website: www.kicker.com/marine-audio.