DOCKSIDE REVIEW: The Turtlebox Gen 3
Can the new King of Outdoor Audio survive the rumble of a 7.3L diesel?
The Mission
We believe in the "Dockside Life"—oyster roasts, long tides, and taking the time to do things right. But let's be honest: "Dockside" doesn't necessarily mean "Quiet." Whether it's the roar of an outboard or the idle of a vintage OBS Ford, our life is loud.
For years, we've burned through "rugged" speakers that promised the world and delivered tinny vocals before dying of salt corrosion. We needed something that could survive the boat ramp, float when things go sideways, and punch through the wind.
Enter the Turtlebox Gen 3
The Utility: Why It Earned a Spot in the Truck
We tested the Gen 3 where it matters: on the tailgate of the F-250 and the deck of a center console, the beach, the cookout, and the Dockside. Here is the intel:
The Diesel Test: The primary benchmark is simple: Can we hear it over the truck? With the 7.3L Power Stroke idling, most speakers surrender. The Turtlebox Gen 3 hits 120dB. It didn't just compete with the diesel; it cut right through it.
Waterproof Reality: This isn't "splash resistant." It carries an IP67 rating, meaning it is fully waterproof and dustproof. We didn't just get it wet; we dunked it. It floats, it plays, it survives.
The Gen 3 Upgrade: The biggest shift from the previous generation is the new "Party Mode." You are no longer limited to pairing just two speakers. You can now link an infinite number of Gen 3s (or the new compact Rangers) together. If you meet another crew at the sandbar, you don't just have music; you have a concert system.
The Verdict
We want to take our music everywhere.
The Turtlebox Gen 3 fits the Dockside Guide ethos perfectly: it is over-engineered, purpose-built, and unapologetically loud. There are speakers that I like indoors much better, but when you are outside playing, I have not found anything that sounds as good, lasts as long, and is durable as all get out.
It doesn't have flashing RGB lights or voice assistants you don't need. It has a brick-house build, stainless steel tie-downs, and a battery that lasts 25+ hours.
You can always find it online, but a lot of our Dockside Merchants have them in stock where you can pick your color and play it as loud as you want before purchase.
Status: Essential Gear.
If it can survive the floorboard of the truck and the spray of the skiff, it belongs on your boat.
