When Chris Griner bought his brand-new Godfrey Monaco last year from Anderson Powersports, he had a sinking realization that the factory grade stereo simply wasn’t going to cut it. It was a gorgeous boat — deep black and vivid green with black powder coated rails — but for a man who cares about details and rocking his boat with music, the run-of-the-mill factory install lacked the power and oomph he was used to.

As the owner of a vehicle detailing shop, Chris is used to looking after the most elite boats and cars in Lake Havasu, Ariz. His company, Detail Specialties, offers detailing, restoration and high-end coatings to restore and protect a vehicle’s appearance. Their deep clean detailing and expert paint correction can make a vehicle look and feel brand new. Their popular ceramic coatings add a thin but high-performing varnish that protects against the elements and adds gloss and depth to a vehicle’s paint coat for years to come.

For someone who loves fine-tuned finishes like these, it’s hard to settle on a rudimentary stereo that sounds as flat as a headset.

Chris also knows from personal experience the kind of sound possibility with a full KICKER system.

The Monaco pontoon from Godfrey is actually Chris’s second boat. He also owns a 2024 Eliminator Daytona—a powerful racing speedster—and last year had the same shop install a full premium upgrade to a KICKER system. Also in his favorite colors of black and green, the Eliminator is equipped with six KICKER horn-loaded speakers and a 12-inch Solo X subwoofer. “It’s a small boat, but it puts out a lot of sound,” Chris said.

It helps that Chris is great friends with Jeff Cuvelier, owner of Elite Audio. The two have been friends for a decade, so when Chris approached Jeff for an audio expansion on his new Monaco, Jeff had a few suggestions.

With years of expertise, Elite Audio in Lake Havasu is a family-owned marine audio shop experienced in providing high-quality upgrades. Owned by Jeff Cuvelier and Christyne Kappeli, the shop has long been impressed with KICKER’s electrifying sound options.

Chris has also been won over by KICKER’s sound quality. In fact, it’s the only brand of stereo he owns, no matter what he’s driving.

“I have KICKER in everything I own: both of my boats, a side-by-side, and a sandrail for off-roading. Other systems just don’t have this quality of sound,” he said.

When he and his family are ready for a party on the water, they want to bring the right music with a rocking stereo system.

Chris said, “We listen to a little bit of rock, a little bit of hip hop, but mostly electronic dance music—Vegas-style dance music with a great beat.”

Lake Havasu has a handful of spots where boaters love to hang out, and Chris and his family enjoy meeting others there. And as long as he’s the early arrival, his stereo can choose the tunes. “If you’re there first, then your music is what everyone is going to be listening to,” he said. “Unless Jeff pulls up. He has an incredible stereo system in his boat!”

While Chris initially approached Jeff about an audio expansion, they quickly realized a full premium upgrade would be a better fit for his pontoon. Chris uses his boat as part of his lifestyle and his detailing business. The Monaco isn’t just for cruising; it’s a floating showcase reflecting the high standards Chris brings to both life and work.

“Chris and his family are excellent examples of people who have fully embraced the boating lifestyle over the years and settled on a pontoon that fits them just right,” said Jeremy Bale, the National Brand Manager at KICKER Marine Audio. “The install is looking great and is going to sound absolutely amazing!”

In just over a week, Elite Audio replaced the full sound system in Chris’s Godfrey. The premium upgrade included KICKER’s newest M-Class marine speakers from its Premium Series. These 8-inch mid-range and high-frequency speakers marry acoustic performance with durability. Additionally, the 11-inch tower speakers offer the loudest and clearest volume outside and inside of the boat, and the Premium Marine amplifiers can withstand the summer heat in Arizona and beyond.

Using superior materials, KICKER’s M-Class Premium Speakers have tough carbon-fiber-infused mid-range cones, audiophile tweeters, and glass-filled nylon woofer baskets for highly accurate sound reproduction. They’re also fully weatherproof and UV-resistant, with an IP66 rating that shrugs off splashes, sprays – even a high-pressure washdown – without missing a beat. 

For a booming base, Elite Audio placed two 12-inch MWE12 subwoofers in a custom-built enclosure made of birch wood, which is fully resin coated and wrapped in matching marine grade vinyl. These subwoofers have unmatched bass in a boat and are specifically made for a small enclosure.

The stereo system includes a digital display KMC5 head unit that is viewable in direct sunlight, two remotes for easy access to skipping tracks and adjusting volume, and the best quality KICKER marine Zero Gauge (0AWG) wire, fuses, fuse holders, distribution blocks, RCA cables, and speaker wire.

It’s acoustically everything Chris would ever need. And after only a few times out on the water, Chris is thrilled with the performance of the new sound system.

“It’s awesome and sounds great. Instead of being overpowering, it’s literally kind of perfect,” he said.

With beautiful weather in sunny Arizona, Lake Havasu is a place where you can boat year-round. And lately, pontoons have surged in popularity.

“The pontoon scene has completely taken over the power boat scene here. Pontoons are all the rage, and especially ones with big power,” Chris explained.

Dual and triple engines are a common sight on the lake, and like most boat owners, they love to check each other out. This led Chris and a few friends to plan a pontoon meet-up on a massive scale.

With his friends Ryan and Tyler, Chris started RTC Events and planned ToonFest 2025, the area’s first annual pontoon regatta, poker run, and boat show this past March. The exciting two-day event was packed with fun both on and off the water. Owners, manufacturers, and dealers of pontoons packed Havasu Riviera Marina to strut their stuff and show off their latest models, powerful engines, and of course, rocking stereos.

With 115 boats participating in the registration-only regatta, and many more attending, Chris felt the first year was a thrilling success. Chris said, “It was our first event and I’m so happy with the way it turned out. The feedback was awesome, so I know next year will be even larger.”

The pontoon scene in Havasu will make waves beyond the regatta. With events like ToonFest gaining momentum and boating enthusiasts like Chris raising the bar, great sound is quickly becoming the benchmark. As Chris’ set-up proves, better boats really do start with better sound.