Structure

[Pony]

A lot of us I would think have or have used an aluminum boat with bench seats.......<br /><br />How important to the structure is the middle seat?<br /><br />I know it plays a role, but I have seen so many removed I am wondering how much the hull would really flex.

 

[River - Runner]

Re: Structure

I would not want anything to do with removing or a removed seat on the boat. The boat structure is ruined. You can buy these types of boats that are factory built open. The boat builders know their stuff when building boats.

 

[Pony]

Re: Structure

I'm sure you are correct and I assumed that as well.......but then I saw the same boat as mine where the guy clearly removed the seat, and I began to question it again

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Structure

Take off your shoe. Grasp the heel and toe and fold the shoe. You will note that the middle of the shoe tends to bow outward. The same thing can happen with a boat that has had the center seat removed. Granted, you probably are not attempting to bend your boat in the middle but I've seen the result of this. The problem can arise when retrieving the boat. Winching it onto a trailer places a force on the hull, especially at a shallow ramp, that is opposite the shoe example but the result is the same. The seat keeps the sides of the boat from bowing out and therefore adds considerable structural integrity to the boat. If a boat is built and sold without the center seat it is obviously designed for that purpose and very likely has a stronger keel or additional side reinforcing.

 

[Pony]

Re: Structure

I figured as much Upinsmoke........I just found it so odd that I saw my exact model and year boat for sale without the middle bench seat. It was clear he removed it himself.......dark rust like spots where the rivets were. Other than cosmetically it looked ok, and thats why i was wondering about just how structural it is..............<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />These pictures show the removable floor i added for now, instead of removing the bench. It comes out in three pieces so I can remove it during the winter

 

[River - Runner]

Re: Structure

.Pony. - Also along with the structural problems of a removed seat you remove a lot of the boat flotation. I've also seen removed seats on these boats and it's a shame when they do it. The boat has been compromised and the boat tag is no longer valid. The load carrying weight and hp. rating should be changed, especially if it was to be sold.<br /><br />And my center seat is used a lot. Even for rowing, as one set of oar locks are position for that seat.<br /><br />Nice work on your boat! Your seats are deeper than mine for more flotation.<br /><br />With my old boat the seats are 6" deep. Back then the flotation was minimal. My boat would maybe sink if I flipped it over, another reason to be careful. But I like it because it gives me about 6" of space under the seats, room for your feet and fishing stuff and I have only laid carpet on the bottom of the boat.

 

[Pogo123]

Re: Structure

Pony ...<br /><br />As I was rebuilding my 12 footer, I too was curious about basic hull strength and found that with the seats out (particularly the center seat) the hull could be easily warped or twisted. Those seats appear provide the structural rigidity that makes it so stable.

 

[koolerb]

Re: Structure

In that type of design the seat is a structural component of the hull. Some people just don't take the time to think before they start playing boat designer. In many small airplanes the instrument panel is a structural part of the fuselage. But I've seen allot of do it your self aircraft owners take it upon them selves to illegally modify their panels.

 

[heycods]

Re: Structure

On Sea Arks web site they show the big aluminum cargo boats, look at all the struts (whatever they are called) that they put in when they have no seats to stabilize the mid boat section. It would apear one could remove the seat and add these struts for strength. As for flotation thats a different matter.

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Structure

Now I am having second thoughts, I have a Closed bow 18 foot Alumcraft Queen Mary that I want to turn into a open bow tiller so it's a better fishing boat with more room it entails drilling a out a 100 rivets and removing the bow top I was thinking of building a casting deck and livewell up front which I suppose would add strength and support I also notice there is a some flotation foam attached to the underside of bow top other then that there is no flotation in the boat.<br />Don't know now.

 

[koolerb]

Re: Structure

Why not just attach the casting deck to the tops of the seats, and recess the live well and your other storage into the casting deck between the seats.

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Structure

It's a closed bow at this point???

 

[koolerb]

Re: Structure

Why not?

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Structure

Originally posted by koolerb:<br /> Why not?

I guess I'm not understanding what you are suggesting????

 

[Pony]

Re: Structure

PierBridge......does the Queen Mary have a windshield seperating the space you can fish in and the closed bow?? Is it like this?<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />Sort of looks like the deck "plate" runs from the bow and down the gunwhales as a smll strip. Any Foam under the Floor??

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Structure

Originally posted by P.O.N.Y.:<br /> PierBridge......does the Queen Mary have a windshield seperating the space you can fish in and the closed bow?? Is it like this?<br />

Yes but the windshield is off right now, as far as flotation/foam under the floor I don't know it appears the previous owner re-did the floor I could add some some I suppose, there is flotation attached to the underside of the bow/deck piece that I would like to remove in order to make an open bow.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

<br /><br /><br />Maybe it's a pipe dream and I should just leave the old girl as is, I have always wanted a 18 foot open bow but maybe it's not worth it or safe.<br /><br />Thanks Pier

 

[koolerb]

Re: Structure

OK, now that I see a picture, I was not understanding your boat. Never mind.

 

[VintageAlumacraft]

Re: Structure

I've seen many vintage Alumacrafts that have been altered and there's just not that many around these days. Please don't take another one away. There's plenty of modern boats designed to do what your asking for.