Vandersteen VLR with Van Alstine SET 120 control amplifier would be excellent — I have the VLR-CT paired with same Van Alstine in den system — unfortunate that it won’t fit in your bookshelf. Used front ported Aerial 5T, used sealed ATC, or a standard MoFi edition sealed Falcon Acoustics LS3/5a ($1995 new) would likely be a good match in your budget. Happy sailing!!!
Moving on a sailboat - bookshelf speakers?
I've decided to spend a year on a sailboat. I'm loath to give up my home system as it's about as good as you can get before spending silly money. (LX521s, ATI/Parasound, maxed-out Linn LP12 with Blackbird arm and VdH Frog) All of it is going in storage except for my Ayre QB-9 Twenty powered by my M1 Mac Mini.
I am interested in opinions on great bookshelf speakers that actually need to live in a bookshelf. (No room for stand-mounted speakers in a 40' monohull sailboat.) I also need a good integrated amp to power the speakers. (I'm leaning towards the Audio by Van Alstine Vision SET 120 Control Amplifier.)
I think I've got about 18" tall by 12" deep as limitations. Maybe less. (I'll update when I know for sure.)
What speakers should I be looking at? Various reviews like the KEF but declare that it needs stands. Others declare the sub-$1000 B&W anniversary speakers and don't mention stands. I wish I could fit a pair of LX Minis, but the associated mid/bass tube knocks it out of the running.