Okay, so I'm trying to think where to put the amp for my stereo. I'm running a Kenwood deck mounted (under dash), with JBL 6x9's in boxes with some extra wire to pop em up on deck while at the sandbar, and a JBL 300w amp. There's not a lot of room for it up front. I'm wondering if I can get away with mounting it in engine compartment (back of back seat). Does anyone have experience mounting amps in the engine bay? Pros and cons of it? I know if a water line springs a leak, the amp would be screwed. I'm also curious how fumes would effect it, could it spark enough switching on to ignite fumes? I do eventually plan to remove the "Mt. St. Baker's" dome (as Ray named it  ) but it has to stay for now and I need to put new blower hose in and plan to run the blower before start up.
Thanks,
Sam

just food for thought! amps dont really like heat  your best bet is under the bow. its safe there.

X2 , Amps and heat don't get along at all. You want it somewhere there is free flowing air , even under the bow I would probably consider some kind of fan since we boat in Arizona where it is known to reach 120* in August!

screw two 2x4 blocks behind your gas pedal and mount it there. You cant shove things were your gas pedal go. and if you lift it off the floor and have air circulate to all sides it will stay cool.

I have two subs firing forward and my amps are right in front of them under bow with two fans each on top of them....Two sets of seps and a set of drive inns..

that is very sneaky setup

I wouldn't run off the receiver if you can help it, amps give clean power to speakers and sound way better.  You definitely don't want to mount an amp near a hot motor, it will fry it.  Under the bow is way better.