1978? Viking Barefooter - seating reconfiguration?

[GlenC]

Hello from South Africa!

Having read many incredibly informative posts on this forum over the last 6 months since purchasing my first pleasure boat, I am looking for some advice please.

I have a 1970 something Viking Barefooter that I picked up quite cheaply but it was badly neglected. Now that Winter has arrived in South Africa, I am getting the transom, stringers and deck replaced as it had been very badly “patched” over the years without addressing the major problems of rotten wood to the core. Whilst this is being done I would like to reconfigure the seating layout if that’s possible? The seats all need redoing anyway. Whilst I understand it’s much simpler to use the existing seats as the template I feel it would be a missed opportunity to create something different and unique . Guess my biggest flaw is I never shy away from a challenge!

So my question (despite my rambling) is pretty simple. Is there any reason (other than time it will take and perhaps cost) that I couldn’t reconfigure the seating into some other design as long as I ensure I’m ending up with approximately the same weight on the hull and that it’s evenly distributed? Obviously I need to factor in access to cables, battery, fuel tank etc in the design.

Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated! Pics attached of current layout and layout of another boat I really like.

 

[chevymaher]

Once you get into restoring it. You will probably find the seating needed replaced anyway. So cost isn't a issue. Just find a boat getting restored with the seating you like. See how it is put together and go for it.

Welcome to the itchfest.

 

[Bondo]

So my question (despite my rambling) is pretty simple. Is there any reason (other than time it will take and perhaps cost) that I couldn’t reconfigure the seating into some other design as long as I ensure I’m ending up with approximately the same weight on the hull and that it’s evenly distributed?

Welcome Aboard,..... Nope,.... The only limit is yer imagination,....

 

[Bayou Dave]

It's your boat. You can do anything you want. Just figure out what you want to do with the boat, Fish? Cruising? Skiing? then plan your seating around that.

 

[Woodonglass]

Building boat seats is NOT all that difficult. I made the rear bench seat for my boat from scratch and it turned out pretty good. Any craftsman should be able to do the job or you can do it yourself. Lots of guys here on the forum have turned out some quality upholstery on their boats and most had NEVER done any sewing before!!