Looking for a bench design

[erikgreen]

I'm trying to get a divers' bench seat built for my 21 foot Sea Ray and not having a lot of luck.

I've seen a few bench designs for boats, but almost all of them are enclosed.. the seats flip up for access to the open space below them, but otherwise there's no way to get to it.

I want a plain bench design, with a horizontal plank for sitting on, possibly with cushions, and the ability to slide milk crates or the equivalent underneath for storage.

I've been thinking about either bending aluminum tubing up into legs and welding it, or else using square steel tubing in a rectangle shape. For the seat I'd use a piece of plastic decking lumber or two from the local home depot.

If anyone has a good plan or some suggestions for building a bench I'd appreciate hearing them. I'm looking for something about 18-20 inches deep, about five feet long, with no back rest (that'll instead be built into the side of the boat).

I'm thinking I'm making this harder than it needs to be somehow....

Erik

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Looking for a bench design

Did you try asking someone who fabs alluminium parts- towers, rail, seat bases?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking for a bench design

thought of a leaning bench, there are many designs.
http://www.boatersworld.com/product/167290014.htm?utm_medium=productsearch&utm_source=google

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Looking for a bench design

A leaning bench would be good for me when piloting, but I need something that 3 or so divers can sit on while the boat is heading to a dive spot. Something like this if it was a bit wider:

http://www2.northerntool.com/product/32194.htm

I was also thinking of maybe putting three of the wise folding seats into the boat side by side.

Just looking at this I have an idea... I can take a pair of these:

http://www.iboats.com/Seasense_Adju...11310088--**********.769095723--view_id.56655

and put them on either end of a pair of plastic planks about five feet long. I can staple vinyl and cushions onto the planks.

Make any sense?

Erik

 

[zach103]

Re: Looking for a bench design

Just looking at this I have an idea... I can take a pair of these:

http://www.iboats.com/Seasense_Adjus...-view_id.56655

and put them on either end of a pair of plastic planks about five feet long. I can staple vinyl and cushions onto the planks.

i say go with that.. you should make two of the bench the way you say and use one for the backing.. ive seen some good looking heavy duty brackets that would bend that way.. i say go with that just to feel good when your out sittin on something you built

 

[oops!]

Re: Looking for a bench design

no way man.....you need to cut the boat ....make it wider and add reclieners with foot rests....thats the only way it will work.....

1. you could fabb what ever you wanted out of glass.

2. that bench seat could be got at the auto wrekers and wrapped in vinal for pennies.

3. just make the base from ply.....and paint it.....or cover as wanted.

you could have one made perfect in a few hours....ive seen your work....you could bang that off, and make it look pretty in far less than shipping time

 

[zach103]

Re: Looking for a bench design

i agree with oops.. i havnt seen much of you work only cuz im new. but what i have saw looks great.. go for the homemade

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking for a bench design

two of those and a 2x12 covered. i don't think the plastic will be strong enough. will flex and eventually bend. or just take 3/4 ply for the seat part, and run a 3 inch support front and back, like a U. that would be the strongest and lightest.