Adding Wood on top of bench seat in aluminum boat?

[jspansel]

I have been looking through the forums and I have found a couple pictures that just look really nice. I of course cannot find them now... I want to put a nice darker wood that I stain and put a good coat of urethane on, on top of my aluminum benches.

It just make the boats that I saw look much classier.

I am in the middle of repainting the interior of the boat and think it would be a nice touch.

How would I go about mounting the wood to the aluminum? I was thinking maybe some smaller L brackets? I wanted to attach the seats to the wood planks first and then attach the wood to the aluminum bench. I do not like how the seats are currently attached to the benches.

Any thoughts? Not sure I am definite on this or not, just seeing if it would be easy or not. I know I will lose a little height on the seats... not sure how that will affect it or not.

 

[DJ]

Re: Adding Wood on top of bench seat in aluminum boat?

Consider: Weight, weight, weight.

Also, consider where that added weight is? The higher the added weight is, the more UNSTABLE the boat becomes.

 

[jspansel]

Re: Adding Wood on top of bench seat in aluminum boat?

Very true....

But, If adding the wood will lower my weight, since it will cause the seats to be about 2 inches lower?

But yes, it is still more weight period.

If I dont do that then, I was thinking about something for my 6 year old daughter. What could I do with the center bunk that would be more comfortable for her when I take her out? Some kind of little removable chair for her? Maybe something that could recline a little so she could nap if tired? haha, just thinkin... I know its not a cruise boat. Just want to make everyone happy :redface:

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Adding Wood on top of bench seat in aluminum boat?

I've been pretty happy with a Field & Stream canoe seat that has a folding back support on it.

It's really lightweight, attaches with two straps that click together easily and is very comfy too.

Not a bad alternative to adding heavy hardware to mount a seat, and not permanent. It will only attach well if the bench is not solid, but open underneath.

I can post a photo if you'd like. I agree with DJ that weight reduction is a huge thing to keep in mind with little tinnies.

 

[jspansel]

Re: Adding Wood on top of bench seat in aluminum boat?

Canoe seat huh....? Just looked some up and think that will be PERFECT for the kiddo! Thanks!

Ok, I will keep my seats the way they are and just pick one of these adjustable Canoe seats up for my kid. The bench is open underneath as you can see, so one of these will work great for her. Thanks!!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Adding Wood on top of bench seat in aluminum boat?

Consider: Weight, weight, weight.

Also, consider where that added weight is? The higher the added weight is, the more UNSTABLE the boat becomes.

Ayuh,... But after it capsizes, it's Flotation, flotation, flotation,...

My ole Mirrocraft 12'er still has the original stick-on vinyl woodgrain on it....

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Adding Wood on top of bench seat in aluminum boat?

Here's the Field & Stream seat, I've been very happy with the quality.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Adding Wood on top of bench seat in aluminum boat?

I have been looking through the forums and I have found a couple pictures that just look really nice. I of course cannot find them now... I want to put a nice darker wood that I stain and put a good coat of urethane on, on top of my aluminum benches.

It just make the boats that I saw look much classier.

I am in the middle of repainting the interior of the boat and think it would be a nice touch.

How would I go about mounting the wood to the aluminum? I was thinking maybe some smaller L brackets? I wanted to attach the seats to the wood planks first and then attach the wood to the aluminum bench. I do not like how the seats are currently attached to the benches.

Any thoughts? Not sure I am definite on this or not, just seeing if it would be easy or not. I know I will lose a little height on the seats... not sure how that will affect it or not.

Just a few narrow it down questions ...

You want to mount your seats directly onto wood..then mount the seat/wood plank down to your benches ? so your not going to be using the same bases for your seats then ? ( therefor lowering the hight of the seats ? ) .

Im just trying to get this right here.. but really if you wanted to mount your seats to wood..then wood to your alum benches..then you should have the bolts going downward on your wood to alum..

Carriage bolts in the wood ? hmm.. can you reach totally under your benches ?

Just thinking out loud here...

YD.

PS. You would need more then one coat of thane on the wood . and upkeep would need thane every so often as well.

 

[jspansel]

Re: Adding Wood on top of bench seat in aluminum boat?

Yacht,

Yes that would be the plan. The bench is full of foam so I cannot reach up inside of it. Last night I was out there and kept thinking about it all. Think I am just going to keep it simple now and the way it is. I will add the Canoe chair for my kiddo... that will work great. It is just going to be my fishin boat after all. I think I will be super happy with the new sealer and paint on it.

Thanks for the pics Huron, thats perfect! Will work great for her. I will pick one up here soon.

PS. Got the dusting of ZC primer on the boat last night... Some strong smelling stuff! Primer and paint will not be in this week, so next weekend I will start on that.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Adding Wood on top of bench seat in aluminum boat?

Thanks for the pics Huron, thats perfect! Will work great for her. I will pick one up here soon.

I bought mine at ****'s sporting goods. Not sure who else may carry them.

 

[jspansel]

Re: Adding Wood on top of bench seat in aluminum boat?

I bought mine at ****'s sporting goods. Not sure who else may carry them.

Very nice! I have a ****'s right down the road from me. Thanks!