Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

[fishnfiend]

Anyone out there getting creative with boat seats in a runabout? I never have liked those doggone fold in the middle seats. Look at this design: <br /><br /><br />

<br /><br />Some of the higher end ski boats have seats that are far superior to the typical 'order from Cabela's' specials. Question is, can an average Joe make them himself?

 

[fishnfiend]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

It's basically two really nice bench seats - almost look like marine sofas - one on each side behind the driver and main passenger seats. Here's another view: <br /><br />

<br /><br />Seems like it would be awfully functional for a ski/wakeboard/runabout boat.<br /><br />Here's the frame for some cool seats:<br /><br />

<br /><br />and the finished product:<br /><br />

<br /><br />From a Baja:<br /><br />

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

I wouldn't want to be a passenger in the rear seats for that last boat you showed. Red hot headers and blistered kneecaps come to mind <ouch>.

 

[fishnfiend]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

Me neither. I never could figure out the joy in going to a quiet, serene lake to fire up the big block and deafen everyone for 1/2 mile around you.<br /><br />I just got a project boat - an '86 Searay Seville - the seats and floor are shot - thinking about making a change in seating design. Interested in other's experiences in upholstery with no experience but lots of determination

 

[swimmin' for shore]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

You can buy the necessary materials, for sure. There's no end to the books that have been written about it, and you will find them readily available. <br />Now, for the negatives-It's a pain in the rear end. Know how to sew. Be good at it. You can do upholstery with the average sewing machine, but you can't do it quickly or particularly well. For simple stuff, a small machine will do the trick. There's a lot of work that goes into all of the pleating, etc...I've done some minor upholstery, and I'd take it say that now, I'd be willing to do very simple bench seating. Anything more than that takes a lot of work to do without being a professional. Let us know what you decide. I'd be interested in hearing your good and bad stories. We're all here to learn something.

 

[gewf631]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

Those first couple are an interesting design, and I've seen ski boats with a similar setup.<br /><br />The problem I see with that design, is that while underway, it's not a comfortable ride - riding sideways while hitting chop comes to mind.<br /><br />In the end, it's really your boat, so it's your choice. You've got to consider how you'll use the boat (that design wouldn't work for fishing), and how many people you'll carry - don't make seating for 10 if it's only a 14 footer.<br /><br />When my 'doggone fold in the middle seats' wear-out, I'm going to get some pedestal seats, with extra bases, so I can move them around as the need arrises.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

You've just hit on my winter project. I'd decided to take out my back to back seats, replace with a couple of pedestals and make an engine/storage compartment with one bench seat in front of it for my 69 Formula F-190. Will change the capacity from 6 to 5 (comfortably). Should help the weight distribution too, as when there men sitting in the rear jump seats it was a little tough to get it to plane properly. Women didn't want to sit there because of the engine noise.<br />Keep the pics coming...all I've got is an idea in my head from a boat I saw at the Lake of the Ozarks on Labor Day.

 

[fishnfiend]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

My I/O has two seats next to the motor also. My doghouse needs reinsulating and recovering at the same time as new seats - I may do the same as you and bring the seats forward and make a bench. Oh, the possibilities <br /><br />The tufts and pleats and wotnot are definitely out of my league (for now BUT, the basic structure and design of the bench seems easily doable. Here's a bit simpler bench seat:<br /><br />

<br /><br />Sailboats have seating designed to be totally waterproof and to be able to handle the abuse of being walked on, etc.. My boat will be used for ski/wakeboard/swimming -maybe sometimes spending the night at the lake. Needs to shed water like a duck. Prolly lose the carpet and put in decodot when I replace the floor. Seems like you wouldn't want too many "needle holes" in cushions anyway if you want them to shed water. A basic bench seat, maybe with a stripe sewn on for interest would probably suffice.<br /><br />Here is a nice looking bench seat on e-bay right now, but will probably get spendy:<br /><br />

 

[gextyr1]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

Interesting thread. Now you've got me thinking about my restoration project. I was originally going to try to restore the factory seating, but I've decided that the original seats are not optimal (no storage, not really comfortable, too heavy... etc.) Now I'm trying to decide between buying some aftermarket seats (pedestal seats, or front-and-back-fold-into-a-bed seats) or fabricating my own. Not a lot of space to work with, so I have some serious engineering to do

 

[Nikko]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

Well, I did the cheap seats <br /> Runabout seats adirondack style!<br /><br />(they've since been coated in Cetol) <br /><br /> In use <br /><br />I get more comments on these silly things and all I was trying to do was save a few $$ !<br /><br />Nikko

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

I made a few seats for the bow of my tri-hull. Took plywood, drilled 1/2 holes and placed carriage bolts on it... epoxied it... got some good vynil covered foam with quilt batting and then heavy gauge plastic. Sewn my fabric, and stapled material onto the wood.... Plastic to keep faom dry... holes in plywood to allow air to escape outta the cushion... Forget the holes.... ride on balloons =o)<br /><br />So far they've stayed dried. Got this Idea after I looked at my fold down lounges and saw the layer of plastic....

 

[Realgun]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

I like my new Pedistal seats!<br />

 

[Realgun]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

I need to know how to get the vinyl to cover a corner. I have the side panels cut out but need to cover them with the vinyl I purchased.<br />I also purchased some foam. Does anything go over the foam so the vinyl can slide?<br /><br />How do you cut the foam cheaply?

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

were they goin Realgun?? and how thick of foam?

 

[fishnfiend]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

Admiral - those pedestal seats look great! The beauty of your design is that you could easily stack all the seats in the bow, throw out 2 sleeping bags, and have a comfortable overnighter also. My '86 Searay is a very similar design to yours; the pedestals may just do the trick. I like the open, clean look of your cockpit.<br /><br />Out of curiosity, where is your gas tank? Mines in the center rear of the cockpit floor. By design, there is just a piece of plywood that fits over it, apparently for access. It moves when you walk on it and feels spongy. Is yours under the floor (and, if so, do you need any access to it?)

 

[Jeepnn]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

Well here is my two cents on the topic,<br /><br />My project is just a shell with no fixed seating so I also have a blank slate to work with and figure on building a rear bench set forward of the outboard just enough to clear it. Hinge the seat at the front edge so I can tip it to access the bilge and fuel tank and use a set of pedistal seats up front. The sideway seating is fine in calm water but the first time you hit some chop it becomes uncomfortable real quick.<br /><br />Best of luck and keep us posted!<br /><br />Mike M.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

<br />Out of curiosity, where is your gas tank? Mines in the center rear of the cockpit floor. By design, there is just a piece of plywood that fits over it, apparently for access. It moves when you walk on it and feels spongy. Is yours under the floor (and, if so, do you need any access to it?)

Its under the floor and epoxied on the front and sides. Just like the factory. Under the tank are 4 plastic strips all at an angle to bilge to get water off as the water is allowed under the tank.<br />It a Bayliner design and the tank lasted 15 years.<br />I figured it would be fine with me.<br />Floor is installed over tank and epoxied to stringers. There is a 1/2" gap all around tank and 1" x4" under tank. The rear of the tank is exposed for fittings and sender.<br />

 

[Realgun]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

were they goin Realgun?? and how thick of foam?<br />

I have 1 and 2 inch foam.<br />I think I want the 2 inch foam for the sides even though it will make them thick I have room.<br /><br />Basically I need to go around the inside of the boat. The sides are 9 inches and hang down into boat. I have already cut the plywood and the "crew" has painted them They are flat panels of 1/2 plywood.<br /><br />I also lost a cushion so I need to make another one darn darn darn!!!!!

 

[fishnfiend]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

"How do you cut the foam cheaply?"<br /><br />I've heard that an electric knife (the one you cut your roast beef with) works well. Haven't tried it yet though.<br /><br />Thanks for the pic of your gas tank rear. On mine, the fittings are at the rear, but the sender is in the middle, front of the tank. I guess I can just fit some kind of access hatch there. I'm just glad to see that it's ok to glass the floor over top - will make for much more solid footing.

 

[bigboy]

Re: Creativity in boat seat design?? (pics)

Just with a big knife.