Preformed benches on fiberglass boats

[bbbuuuggg0]

I was wondering if the benches in mass produced fiberglass boats are there for strength? I have an Arkansa Travler boat and it has two rows of benches that go from one side to the other, the front one is in bad dissaray. They are very thin it looks like fiberglass sprayed over cardboard and they are hollow. Can I remove it and put in captins chairs? Or do I have to repair them for hull strength?

 

[Dredged]

Re: Preformed benches on fiberglass boats

I want to know the same thing, is your boat like a jonboat on the bottom? With no under floor framework? I have an old shell lake but mine has plywood in its box seats. I have been wondering this same thing. If we did remove the boxes then we would have to glass in some ply to mount our seatposts to.

 

[Dredged]

Re: Preformed benches on fiberglass boats

I found out that I have to keep my seatboxes, they are structural, in my boat, but i'm going to cut the top out of them and use them for storage and that will also help them dry so they don't rot. I'm not sure about your application. Hope my postings help you make your decision.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Preformed benches on fiberglass boats

I'm pretty sure those seats keep the sides of the boat from caving in buggo.<br /><br />Dredged, I also have an old Shell Lake, 1960, 14'. I filled my seats with foam and am mounting a pedestal on top of the front seat. I have a lift out deck from the front of the front seat to the bow stem, it sits on the ledges along the sides of the boat.<br /><br />Anyway buggo, you'll need some type of crossmembers if you cut out those seats, But you could be creative and reconfigure the boat, I'm sure. Seats were just the quick-cheap method.

 

[vegard]

Re: Preformed benches on fiberglass boats

I think it wouldn't be too bad to do a custom job. You could glass in a low-cut bulk head and then do whatever seating you want.