radio turns off when volume is turned up

[moombahighrider]

Typically, the only time that a head unit will shut off is when it sees a short on the speaker wires/ terminals (or something close to it) or the amp is getting too hot. Either way, I would check that none of your speaker wires are touching in any way. There is no reason why the head unit should not turn up loud enough for the speakers to start distorting before it shuts off.

[jamie_abb]

My '04 factory set up was exactly the same way. My recommednation is to replace head unit, all factory speakers and add a 10" sub and tower speakers. That should fix your problem and improve your sound quality. lol

[kaneboats]

If that doesn't work, just replace the boat with a new 2011 model.

[moombadaze]

If that doesn't work, just replace the boat with a new 2011 model.

Have any other excuses I could use?

[NCSUmoomba]

I had this problem for a while and it took a while to figure out. What was happening with mine, was that the battery could not suppply enough power to the stereo. When the volume is low, the power draw isn't that much, but as soon as it is turned up, the amps begin sucking power from the battery(ies). I even had this problem after adding a second battery. The stock alternator could not keep up with the power draw of the stereo at high volume. I also read somewhere that automotive alternators are not very good at charging deep cycle batteries. My stereo could draw a fully charged group 27 deep cycle battery down low enough that the stereo would not play after only two trips to the lake. I bought a deep cycle trickle charger and as soon as I get the boat back in the garage, the charger gets plugged in.