Runabout Boat Interior Conversion Ideas?

[Indy1830SS]

I have a 1994 Chaparral 1830SS (just purchased) with the back to back seating config. I've always preferred the capt. chair/bench/sunpad config to this option, and have a mild curiosity about converting it. Has anyone heard of attempting this, or is there a kit to tackle it....or just way more trouble than it is worth? I've searched online but never seen a discussion or conversion kit about it. For the record, the current interior is in excellent shape...so I don't have the excuse of needing to replace it anyway.

Thanks!

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Runabout Boat Interior Conversion Ideas?

I'll be converting mine over the winter. I'm going to make two carpeted plywood pedestals for the front, the passenger's seat will swivel and the driver's seat will be fixed. There will be cutouts to stow stuff inside the pedestals. They'll be a foot square and about 8" tall. I'll be using those instead of metal pedestals because I don't think the floor structure in my boat would be strong enough to use metal ones.

My boat is used mostly for pleasure cruises and waterskiing. The back has two jump seats built into the shell. One will be covered and one will be used as a step for boarding skiers. I'll build a bench seat that'll hold one or two 6 gallon fuel tanks comfortably inside and go 3/4 of the way accross to leave that boarding step clear. It'll also tip forward as a unit to get to the battery.

In place of the passenger swivel seat, I might opt to put in a new back-to-back. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Runabout Boat Interior Conversion Ideas?

There is no kit to do it. If you want to look for ideas, look at boat restoration pages (shareaproject.com comes to mind) Many folks there restore boats, but instead of putting the original configuration in, they do what you are talking about.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Runabout Boat Interior Conversion Ideas?

Sounds cool Willy. Make sure to take lots of pictures.

 

[Indy1830SS]

Re: Runabout Boat Interior Conversion Ideas?

I appreciate the ideas....sounds like I have some research to do.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Runabout Boat Interior Conversion Ideas?

my old Searay had the same configuration. Now mine is an I/O so the doghouse was taken out and a deck was put all the way across the back. It makes it real nice to stand on when getting into or out of the water. In front of that deck I built a plywood box with a hinged lid. It holds the life jackets and stuff when we are traveling. I put a cushion on the top for seating and the back is the front part of the deck. I put captains chairs in the front, but both of mine swivel as the passenger serves as my ski lookout.