Removing the OEM Radio in my 1998 2755 Ciera and installing a new one-gctid808037

[Dr._Chemo_MD]

Hello BOC Gang.

I'm the new kid on the block just joining a few days ago. My profile can tell you a bit about me, but the purpose of this post is I just took procession of a excellent 1998 Bayliner 2755 Ciera (it was on my bucket list) about two weeks ago and just like the world of aviation (I've been a pilot for over 35 years) and the world of medicine, the 2755 to me is a new patient. I have gone throughout the boat correcting minor problems, but ran into something that has me befuddled.

I desire to pull the antique radio, that plays cassettes of all things, and update to a new system that sports Bluetooth. The old radio is in the cabin installed in the refrigeration/sink and electrics. Where I'm confused is the original radio can fall into the cabinet just by removing the two nuts that hold it to the pressboard and Formica. How does one pull the old radio out, get to the wiring and such with tearing apart the entire cabinet, or something goofy like pulling the sink?

I'm sure there's an answer if I dive deep into the archives of this site,, but I'm new and ....a bit lazy....lol.

Thanks for letting me join. I hope to add to this site in the future - Regards, Ron


Attached files

[Douggy]

Strange, normally there is just a rectangular cutout for a radio system.

But you can probably pull out the circuit breaker panel enough to get access to the radio. Just make sure you remove the shore power first. The replacement system might want the typical rectangle cutout which means you might need to enlarge your existing cutout which should encompass the two holes for the knob controls.

[Chief_Alen]

Look at both side, see a little notch, need to slip a thin piece of metal to unlatch the tabs holding the radio to a bracket.

A thin knife might work.

New radio will have these thin pieces of metal latter i'll see if i have a couple in my garage and post a pic.

[Guest]

I Have a 1990 with the same set up. If you reach around the back of the radio through the cabinet there is a hangar strap that holds the back of the radio up. I attempted doing this too. My problem was the wiring in the back is on the short side. I gave up. Access was not on my side. I had my sink and stove out and should have done it then. That may be another option.

[Dr._Chemo_MD]

Well what does a stink bug and boats have in common?

I'm sitting on the small step to the cabin of the 2755 looking at the cabinet and thinking hard "How do I remove and install this #[email protected]#$┬á radio?" Then I see a dead stink bug on the carpet under the cabinet door. I reach for a paper towel and open the cabinet door for some Windex.

The Windex falls off the shelf landing on the rug. No big deal until my eyes connects to two screws hiding by the Windex bottle on the shelf. "Wait a sec. " I say to myself "If I remove these two screws, I bet I can access the radio."

The clouds part and the sun shines when with the aid of a screwdriver I remove this small panel and discover an easy access to the back end of the radio. Tons of wiring tangled up, and the radio looks like it was installed by a two year old....but...I'm in and can do my stuff. Now for beautiful water, AC/DC tunes via Bluetooth.

I was once the technical advisor for the Antique Chevrolet Club (1948 to 1954) and I photographed each step in the restoration-repair process. I did the same with my 2755 and will post the trials and tribulations of removing a boat radio....lol.

[Norton_Rider]

"Chief Alen" post=808120 wrote:
Look at both side, see a little notch, need to slip a thin piece of metal to unlatch the tabs holding the radio to a bracket.

A thin knife might work.

New radio will have these thin pieces of metal latter i'll see if i have a couple in my garage and post a pic.

That works with a standard DIN size radio. The radio in the photo is not a DIN size. It is an old style knob type radio that mounts from behind.

[Chief_Alen]

I see the picture now.

Why I didn't see it when I posted got no idea.