Set up for 14ft fiberglass boat

[JoshOnt]

Hello everyone,
I have recently bought a 1965 14ft fiberglass Scott boat, it has a 1977 50 HP Merc on it. I was wondering how I should set up the inside considering I bought it with the plan to redo the whole boat except the base parts like hull and engine I want to have seating for 4 people no more unless I put in a bench which will fit 3 people. Going out tonight to get some more measurements on the boat to know exactly how much space I got.
Note: I have 1 six gallon fuel tank but will soon have 2 also have a battery and hoping to get a second for a stereo maybe?

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Set up for 14ft fiberglass boat

Hi Josh. Welcome to iboats. Congrats on your new boat. As for the layout, I suppose that will depend on the type of fishing you do. If you want to fit 4 people, which is a lot for a 14' boat btw, you're probably going to have to go with either a front and rear bench with a tiller set up, or 4 individual seats with a side console, bass boat style. However, before you do any mods, triple check hp capacity for your boat. A 50hp outboard on a 14' boat is kind of nuts and doesn't sound right, or safe. If it exceeds the hp limit of your boat it will void your insurance, cause excess weight in the rear of the boat and cost a lot more to own and operate. Not to mention the safety issues. I suspect the actual hp limit is < 40hp. All that being said, the layout is ultimately only limited by your budget and imagination. I should suggest you do lots of general searches online of boats similar to yours as well as looking at a site call microskiff.com which is dedicated to small boats.

 

[JoshOnt]

Re: Set up for 14ft fiberglass boat

Thanks for the reply and I am aware that the engine used to be too large for the boat (reinforced and such) I know that a 14ft is a bit small for 4 people but the idea of it is only to putt around a tiny lake. The boat will mainly have a max of two or maybe three people in it. Also another reason for the small boat is one of the people who will be in it most often is afraid of speed and larger boat due to thinking they will sink... reticulates I know but sadly it is true.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Set up for 14ft fiberglass boat

I can remember a lot of 14' glass runabout boats from way back in the day. Most had 30 - 40hp on them and almost all had 2 bench seats. Then later in the 60's one would start to see back to back seats but then even most of those were 15'.

 

[JoshOnt]

Re: Set up for 14ft fiberglass boat

I can remember a lot of 14' glass runabout boats from way back in the day. Most had 30 - 40hp on them and almost all had 2 bench seats. Then later in the 60's one would start to see back to back seats but then even most of those were 15'.

Mine currently has back to back plastic seats I really hate it. Thinking about 2 folding seat and then bench seat that I can open up. Can anyone advise on best way to go about building a bench seat that can be used for storage or be easily removed.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Set up for 14ft fiberglass boat

Could build something like this from plywood.

Todd Swingback Seat 175818A - iboats

 

[JoshOnt]

Re: Set up for 14ft fiberglass boat

Thanks, I think I shall look into it and might also look for a back up plan, only want the boat to be down for a day or two max