Converting back-to-back seats into swivel Bucket Seats?

[pcmpete]

I am changing the seating layout on my current project from back-to-back lounge seats to two buckets seats and a bench.
I like the style/shade of the seating part itself. So I would like to convert to single buckets on a swivel with a storage box under each seat.
Has anyone done this before? If so how?

Old seats:

I am thinking of 3/4 plywood for the base and back support and 1/4 plywood L-shaped bracing (matching the contour of the seat foam)

Then vinyl sprayed to whatever color I want

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Converting back-to-back seats into swivel Bucket Seats?

I just made a box out of "1/2 ply glassed to the deck and put a locking RV hatch in it and mounted a Wise helm seat with a swivel on top

 

[pcmpete]

Re: Converting back-to-back seats into swivel Bucket Seats?

I just made a box out of "1/2 ply glassed to the deck and put a locking RV hatch in it and mounted a Wise helm seat with a swivel on top

any photos of your setup?

I plan to use the base for storage, speakers and courtesy lights if there is room
Thanks

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Converting back-to-back seats into swivel Bucket Seats?

No pics of the base, basically built an open box turned it upside down and glassed it to the deck. I'm using a back to back on the port side.

I took out the aft seats out and built a sun deck across the back

 

[pcmpete]

Re: Converting back-to-back seats into swivel Bucket Seats?

No pics of the base, basically built an open box turned it upside down and glassed it to the deck. I'm using a back to back on the port side.


I took out the aft seats out and built a sun deck across the back

Is the swivel point rearward on the seat base or in the middle? I don't want the seat rub the side or touch the throttle lever.
Thanks for the photo

 

[dorelse]

Re: Converting back-to-back seats into swivel Bucket Seats?

Mine weren't swivel buckets...but you can see my Bayliner rebuild thread in my signature below.

Went from:

To This...sold the boat just before the seat backs were covered:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCT5gR9EQ9Q

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Converting back-to-back seats into swivel Bucket Seats?

dorelse, I've seen your clip on youtube, it's what gave me the motivation to re-do my seating layout. I think you did a fabulous job on that boat. I too am planning on doing a deck repair/replace & switching to swivel buckets for driver & pass side. I'll check back to this thread to see if anyone else posts up pic's of their set up so I can get more ideas.

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Converting back-to-back seats into swivel Bucket Seats?

Is the swivel point rearward on the seat base or in the middle? I don't want the seat rub the side or touch the throttle lever.

I had originally built the box for a different seat, it centered up perfect. The new seat was a birthday present from my parents

The seats come with mounting points built into them so you can't easily change them. I had to offset the seat on the base to clear the throttle. I'm sold on the swivel, much easier to scan these busy waterways.

The next one will get the slider with swivel

 

[tschmidty]

Re: Converting back-to-back seats into swivel Bucket Seats?

You have a good idea, but just use 1/2 for the back and sides and at least 3/4 or 2 pieces of 1/2 glued together for the L shaped bits. I'd use cloth and resin on the L shaped pieces because there will be a lot of stress on those parts at the elbow (think about someone standing up and grabbing onto the top of the seat for balance when a big wake goes by). I went by with something like that temporarily last year.

 

[pcmpete]

Re: Converting back-to-back seats into swivel Bucket Seats?

Just discovered this on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Fiberglass-boat-seat-pedestal-mount-stool-storage-/230522644732#ht_3475wt_939

I wonder how strong it would be with a hatch opening and a cutout for a speaker/woofer?

 

[dorelse]

Re: Converting back-to-back seats into swivel Bucket Seats?

Wow...I like those seat bases!

MAXXIE - I wanted to go with swivel bases, but, that would have added to my overall cost. (I was really trying to do a budget build.) My main concern, and the reason I didn't go with swivel bases, was that the floor wouldn't have taken the stress of the bases. They would have lasted a season and then most likely ripped out. (That was feeling anyway.) The floor would have needed reinforcing to have done it right.

Those bases would be nice, but I think they need about 6 more screws.

 

[registeroot]

Re: Converting back-to-back seats into swivel Bucket Seats?

just curious, whats the disadvantage of back to back seats? is there a problem with tem when planing?
nice boats folks.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Converting back-to-back seats into swivel Bucket Seats?

I would also like to convert to a bucket for the helm but am affraid to pull the back to back box up! the deck is solid but don't want any suprises I was thinking something along the lines of mounting a swivel on the back to back box and using part of the old seat pad as a cusion lid combo for what's left in the rear. The disadvantage of the B to B's are to low,awkward and take up allot of room.

 

[dorelse]

Re: Converting back-to-back seats into swivel Bucket Seats?

Rather than pull the bases 'Up', just take a sawsall and cut them flush with the floor.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Converting back-to-back seats into swivel Bucket Seats?

The only thing with that is that I want the hieght because I always find myself sitting on the backrest of the BtoB and the base would provide the perfect platform so to say for the captains swivle chair and also provide some storage for life vest's and a small seat in the rear I think I can pull this off with a pc, of 3/4 and some strong hinges this way I can lift both the seat and captains chair if needed. Man! this makes me want to yank the girl out of storage and start working

 

[dorelse]

Re: Converting back-to-back seats into swivel Bucket Seats?

Actually, that's why I built my back supports like I did. I end up sitting up there as well. The master plan included adding padding to the wood 'top' for sitting up on.