Making Bench Seat

[pb&jellyfish]

I am rebuilding a 67 Glastron and I am considering making a bench seat for the helm. Here is what I have in mind...



Does anyone have experience with making something like this? I am having trouble finding folding brackets that I can use to connect the back to the seat. Also, is the some type of plastic board that is available for building the back and seat support? Thanks for any help.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Making Bench Seat

Hello PB..

check out some starboard for plastic backing ( not cheap )

Brackets .. well depends on how thick your going to make the seat/back .. you may have to make your own.

How do you plan on the mounts for such a feature ?..

YD.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Making Bench Seat

Get 2 used seats off craigslist and strip the hardware.
Its a neat idea you have.

 

[fisheasy]

Re: Making Bench Seat

Since your going to have the seat covered with vinyl i would use pvs sheets. If there is a piedmont plastics in your area they have it and its a lot cheaper than what you see online. I think a 3/4 4by8 sheet is 130 something, compared to 300 for starbd. But starbd is a better material. Pvc is fine as long as none of it is in the sun. last time i bought 1/2 in sheets they were around 80 dollars

 

[pb&jellyfish]

Re: Making Bench Seat

I like the pvc sheet idea; I just have to find someplace nearby that carries it (I live in Pensacola, FL if anyone knows the area). As for the mounts, I assume that we are talking about how the chair is mounted to the deck. I plan on making a box for underneath the chair that I can use for storage & etc. The chair would hinge or screw to the box. I haven't figured out the details on that but have several ideas.

Initially, I was wanting to make a back to back bench by screwing around with a pair of old lounge seats. I don't think I have the room for this (the boat is 16'), but I am still thinking about that option. The type of hinges on those wouldn't work for a single bench though. I found a place online that has what I need, but it's $100 for a pair...



I guess I need to look into how much it would cost to make them myself; it probably wouldn't be cheap considering I would have to use stainless steel.

 

[pb&jellyfish]

Re: Making Bench Seat

I feel stupid now, because I just found the hinges on iboats (Wise Adjustable Hinge). They are aluminum but it looks like I can make them work.

Also, I think I am going to price UHMW sheet since I found a place in town that carries this. Does anyone have knowledge on this material?

 

[jonesg]

Re: Making Bench Seat

for what they want for plastic , a quality hardwood is looking better to me.

if you mount the bench on a box think ahead to allowing for footroom underneath, I imagine a sore back if I can't put my feet underneath when driving some of the time.

 

[contractorguy]

Re: Making Bench Seat

That looks about like a jeep back seat... You might check some of them out
here's one...
seat

 

[pb&jellyfish]

Re: Making Bench Seat

After getting prices on the plastic, I agree that plywood is a much more practical way to go. It makes sense now why plastic board isn't used in more applications. Regarding the Jeep seat, I though about using a truck seat but decided against it considering rust issues; however, I didn't think about Jeep seats (or something comparable). Since the metal is coated to take the weather, that might actually work. Thanks for the input.