Suggestions for "trap door" in my middle bench

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Socal Pat

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 1, 2009
Messages
137
I know some of you must have done this mod.
Boat: 14' all aluminum 3 benches. I'd like to move the battery amidship by cutting a trap door in the middle bench. Being as how it's all aluminum I guess I need to add something to make up for the ridgidity of the material I'll be cutting out and I'd love to see how you configured your lid/hinge. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
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tmcalavy

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 29, 2001
Messages
4,005
Re: Suggestions for "trap door" in my middle bench

You won't compromise the strength of the middle crossmember (seat) much if you drop in a battery compartment, unless you get into it's edges/rails. Best arrangement I have seen is a small/old cooler, used as a battery bucket...dropped into the cutout cavity, with it's own top. Easy to get the battery and bucket in and out...owner also put a removable plank across the top of that seat to keep it all secure...middle fisherman sat an inch or so higher than the others, but it worked.
 
arks

arks

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 7, 2002
Messages
1,936
Re: Suggestions for "trap door" in my middle bench

My 14' Lowe already had a space under the middle seat. It's got a drain so it can be used as a livewell. I just use it for dry storage.
I bolted the blue seat to the door. It's got a latch in front (just below the seat bottom) and the hinge is next to the seat on the boats port side. Hopefully you can see it in this picture:

Interior003.jpg
 
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Socal Pat

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 1, 2009
Messages
137
Re: Suggestions for "trap door" in my middle bench

Thanks guys! Some nice clean options. Now which one?......
 
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THEMANFZ1

Cadet
Joined
Jul 20, 2009
Messages
14
Re: Suggestions for "trap door" in my middle bench

Socal Pat said:
I know some of you must have done this mod.
Boat: 14' all aluminum 3 benches. I'd like to move the battery amidship by cutting a trap door in the middle bench. Being as how it's all aluminum I guess I need to add something to make up for the ridgidity of the material I'll be cutting out and I'd love to see how you configured your lid/hinge. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Here is a link to my build with several pictures of the build process and what I did with the center console/seat. I would post pics here but eh too lazy. haha Heres the link http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=350642
 
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