Fitting a bench seat to a rib

[Puzzled look]

Hi

I would like to fit a bench seat at the back of my bombard explorer db550 (2000 model).

I am however a bit nervous about drilling into the deck for the anchors incase I hit anything or worse puncture the hull. Does any one have any advice or can you point me to a good company who can offer advise on such a task and basically where is safe to drill through the deck?

I have trawled the internet but so far have come up with little to put my mind at ease.

Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fitting a bench seat to a rib

bombard explorer db550

Ayuh,... Never heard of it,... Got any Pictures,..??

480x640 works Best here at iboats...

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Fitting a bench seat to a rib

Semi Inflatable like the novarania ?

You Might get away with putting some cleats down on the deck then tie in your bench..

Have you called bombard yet ?

YD.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Fitting a bench seat to a rib

We use a bombard for diving, a 20 foot model.

Internal seating is minimal, but our guys removed the original console and seats, and built a center console style setup with a bench seat in front of it.

It's tied in to the original mounting bolts where possible, and where it's not possible it's attached to blocks glassed into the deck surface.

Basically, what you should do is glass mounting blocks onto your existing surfaces solidly, then screw/glue onto those to mount anything. If they rot or break loose they're easy to fix/replace.

You probably wouldn't cause any problems drilling down into the deck, but why risk penetrating the glass if you don't have to do so?

Most RIBs, Bombards included, have very little hard hull compared to the tube volume, so there may not be that much space to mount anchors or toggle bolts in, depending on where you drill. I'd recommend leaving the hard hull alone as much as possible.

Erik

 

[Puzzled look]

Re: Fitting a bench seat to a rib

Thanks for all your advice I will have a look at glassing some mounting blocks directly to the deck, it sounds a good idea, I never thought of that.

Thanks again.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: Fitting a bench seat to a rib

Used to sell those boats some years back, no problems installing different interior solutions.
In both the 500 and 550 boats I used to install the seat and steering console from the accessory catalog.
A pick of the seats you want to install, and I may be able to guide you.
In general the floor is about 1/2' thick.

 

[Puzzled look]

Re: Fitting a bench seat to a rib

Hi Haffiman,

Its a gift finding you on here, Ive been scratching my head on this one for a while.

My plan is to use the Wise High back boat seats (you can find loads of pictures of these on google) They have standard screw fittings for pedestal's.

I have quite a bit of bodywork and fibre glass experience so my plan was to build a bench consisting of a light steel frame and then box it in and cover it in white fibre glass to match the boat hull and deck. The idea is to then mount the seats on top of the bench. I have pretty much sussed all of this out however, the starting point (the base of the frame) is the bit where I am stuck as Im not sure where to create the anchor points as I don't know where it is safe to drill into the deck.

Despite what has been said on previous answers to this thread I would rather drill the floor and use anchors if I can (with out destroying the Boat!) as the will look a lot neater.

I am going to my holiday home this weekend where my boat is kept, If it is ok with you I will take some pictures and post them on here and point out exactly what I have in mind.

If you can picture the 550 deck the last 12-14 inched slope down to catch water for drainage. My intention would be to mount the bench just forward of this where the deck is roughened for walking.

Thanks

 

[Haffiman]

Re: Fitting a bench seat to a rib

Go here, and you have the Zodiac/Bombard accessory catalog:
http://www.zodiac-boats.co.uk/download/Accessorybooklet 2008.pdf
Scroll down to page 17 and picture 7.

That seat is 'open' at the bottom, you just open the seat to get access.
It is fitted with 4 aluminum L-shaped profiles roughly 1 1/2".
Front and back about 80cm long, sides 25cm.
Distance between screws into boat, 5-6".
Use plastic washer if using alu profile and SST screws, fill drilled holes with Sikaflex. (TM).
In the background of this pick, you can see one 550 my daughters used for selling ice-cream at the beaches back home!
The seat is so far back that 2 OMC Dura tanks just fit between transom and seat between the transom 'knees'.
That rig has a Evinrude 70 4-stroke, Raker 18 if I remember right.
The one in front, Boston Whaler 17 Outrage with a 225 Venom, my toy!!!

 

[Puzzled look]

Re: Fitting a bench seat to a rib

Thanks that's exactly what I have in mind, do you know how many bolts/screw are used in this bench seat to be classed as sufficient, I guess its the floor strength that you need think about.
Do you know where I could find a construction plan for the hull of the 550? Just so I'm sure I'm not going to drill through any cross braces or anything else under the floor. The bench seat on your 550 look like the position where I want to put my bench (as far back as possible).
Do you think it would be possible for you to attach a diagram on the layout and dimensions of the base of the bench seat. With the positions and measurements of the L shaped profiles?
Sorry to be a pain you've been a great help, Im having trouble visualising your description, and just want to be sure before I get my drill out!!

 

[Haffiman]

Re: Fitting a bench seat to a rib

To loong ago since I was 'in business' and I do not have any drawings etc.
I put the bench so far to the stb side it was just still on the floor non-skid surface. Then had about 1ft on port side 'free'.
The alu-profiles on the inside.
You may drill 'anywhere' within the non-skid of the floor, it is nothing underneath that may be harmed.
The screws closes to the edge of the floor, I grinded off the tip to give it maximum holding on minimum depth.
If you use Sikaflex between the profiles and the floor, you hardly need any screws at all!!!
http://www.sikaindustry.com/ipd-ma-products

 

[Puzzled look]

Re: Fitting a bench seat to a rib

Perfect That's all I need to know, thanks for the help, It was mainly re assurance I needed! Ill post some pics when Im done see what you think!


Thanks again

 

[Puzzled look]

Re: Fitting a bench seat to a rib

Oh I almost forgot Nice Boat!!