• Music can add to the boating experience.Big Boat, Little Boat image by Aubrey Thompson from Fotolia.com
  
  Many people want to enjoy music aboard a boat, and there are a number of stereo systems available for marine use. It is obviously possible to take a portable stereo on board a boat and listen to music that way, but for a longer-lasting, more powerful audio experience, it will be necessary to install a marine stereo.
  
  

Marine Batteries

• Installing a marine stereo will mean you can enjoy music at sea.music image by Markus G??tze from Fotolia.com
  
  Specialized marine stereos last longer and perform better at sea than ordinary car stereos, according to Rock The Boat Audio. They have electronics that are coated to protect them from the moisture, salt and sun. Most marine stereos operate from a 12-volt marine or car battery. MarineAV provides waterproof power supply and battery chargers designed to work with marine stereos. A deep cycle car audio battery such as Optima can also be used and will put up with repeated use without quickly failing. According to the 1st Optima Batteries website, they can also sit unused for longer than other batteries.
  
  

Battery Chargers

• Marine batteries can be charged just like regular batteries.battery charger image by anna karwowska from Fotolia.com
  
  There are a number of ways to charge marine batteries, ranging from intelligent battery chargers to automotive battery chargers, or specific marine battery chargers. CTEK and Ring are some of the manufacturers of these devices.
  
  

Mains Inverter

• Ordinary household stereos can be run off marine batteries, too.speaker image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
  
  A mains inverter will transform power from a 12-volt power source to mains power, at 240v ac (volts alternating current). Many household appliances use this standard of electric current. This will allow a household stereo to be run off of a 12-volt marine battery. If using an inbuilt marine battery, it is advisable to have two separate batteries on the boat, one for the main power source and one for leisure use.