I am going to keep the deck plates; looks like I can find speakers that will fit behind them, and I don't want to let the ocean in. Basically, Poly Planar responded to an e-mail inquiry by saying their speakers are not really meant to keep a pooping wave out.

I am hoping that the magnetic shielding in the new speakers will eliminate the interference with the autopilot compass -- the only convenient place to mount it was about two feet from each of the speakers.

Fair winds!

--Karl