Published: March 22, 2008 11:43 pm            

KICKER reels in ‘Cornelia Marie’

Until recent years, the marine market went mostly ignored by the mobile audio industry. KICKER Audio thought of no better way of helping to jump-start its marine business than seeking out the toughest, most rugged bunch out there for its next “demo” vehicle.

KICKER recently partnered with the extreme fishing vessel Cornelia Marie, one of the four ships featured in the famed show “Deadliest Catch,” which airs on the Discovery Channel. The show, which is about the dangers of Alaskan king-crab fishing, consistently carries top ratings among 18-34 year-old males, and begins its fourth season April 15.

A few conversations with co-owner and captain of the Marie, Phil Harris, were had, and he and his crew loved the idea of putting an all-out audio system in the boat. Phil was responsible for making the Cornelia Marie one of the top-performing boats last season despite some major mechanical difficulties, and hopes to make this season just as good.

And so, KICKER dealer Safe & Sound in Anchorage was called on to “deck” out the ship. “This was the most unusual and fun job we have ever done,” said Terry Spessard, owner of Safe & Sound.

Following an exhausting five-hour truck ride and then 12-hour ferry ride just to get to where the Cornelia Marie was docked, Spessard and crew installed a system in the wheelhouse and one outside on the main deck that became an instant hit with all on board.

“Because of this fantastic system, it’s what keeps us up at night to get our work done,” said Harris. “It’s as loud as I could possibly have asked for.”

After the installation was completed, they ended up loading the Cornelia Marie with a 15-inch Solo-Baric L7 subwoofer, two 12-inch CompVT subwoofers, four sets of 6.5-inch RS-Series Component speakers, and three weather-hardy KB6000 box pairs.

KICKER Brand Manager Roger Demaree summed it up. “Some of the original feedback we got was that the Discovery film crew often had to tell (Phil's guys) to turn the system down because it was too loud.”

“Everybody in the fleet knows about the system, and are completely envious of our gear,” Harris said. “KICKER has given us absolutely, bar none, the best-sounding system out there.”

The new season of "Deadliest Catch" airs April 15 on the Discovery Channel. Make sure to check out the Cornelia Marie’s website, and look for extensive coverage of Phil and crew in an upcoming issue of Rolling Stone magazine.

Phil will also be signing autographs in the KICKER booth at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Finals, May 3, in Las Vegas.

KICKER audio systems and SoundGate integration products, divisions of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc., are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized dealers worldwide, and also through selected Original Equipment Manufacturers.

Consumers needing more information on KICKER, SoundGate, or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit brand websites at www.kicker.com or www.soundgate.com.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.