beams

[kat-a-tonik]

I have a 1972 Star Craft 14ft. aluminum V-hull when I bought it the middle beam had been removed it doesn't seem to have compromised the structural integrity of the boat, my question is would it hurt to remove the front and rear beams also? Each beam is only made of a couple of 1x4s attached with brackets attached at each and and riveted to the sides od the boat.

 

[NYBo]

Re: beams

What else is holding the boat together? Pictures would help.

 

[kat-a-tonik]

Re: beams

I will take some pics tomorrow and try to post them the only other thing is the transom

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: beams

What advantage do you hope to gain?

The boat was designed like that for a reason, I'd be hesitant to start removing structure without having a clear understanding of what it's there for.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: beams

I have a 1972 Star Craft 14ft. aluminum V-hull when I bought it the middle beam had been removed it doesn't seem to have compromised the structural integrity of the boat, my question is would it hurt to remove the front and rear beams also? Each beam is only made of a couple of 1x4s attached with brackets attached at each and and riveted to the sides od the boat.

Are we really talking about removing the seats and the Floation Foam that is usually under them?

I will take some pics tomorrow and try to post them the only other thing is the transom

I wouldn't consider removing the transom as a wise move! :wink:

 

[kat-a-tonik]

Re: beams

lol I know better than to remove the transom, and yes i'm talking about removing the seats and the foam under them, I want to install a floor and mount the seats on pedestals on that, I have a friend with a similar boat that this has been done to and it makes more room and actually sits more comfortably

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: beams

my first suggestion is to BUY A DIFFERENT BOAT. Unless your a naval architect and understand the forces and loading on your hull, and can verify that the changes are not going to affect the hull integrity.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: beams

Think of a fiberglass boat hull like a soap bubble with added support to make it usable, when you remove the support structure do you want it to pop on you out in the middle of a lake.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: beams

I want to install a floor and mount the seats on pedestals on that, I have a friend with a similar boat that this has been done to and it makes more room and actually sits more comfortably

Well, that might just be reasonable. You'd want to put back the same amount of flotation foam that was removed, and with the same distribution front to rear in case the boat ever got swamped. There's also the structural considerations, but it's possible you'd be ok (also possible it's a bad idea). Post up some photos of what you've got.

 

[jestor68]

Re: beams

I have a 1972 Star Craft 14ft. aluminum V-hull when I bought it the middle beam had been removed it doesn't seem to have compromised the structural integrity of the boat, my question is would it hurt to remove the front and rear beams also? Each beam is only made of a couple of 1x4s attached with brackets attached at each and and riveted to the sides od the boat.

Those seats are part of the boats structure. Enough said.

 

[cjjjdeck]

Re: beams

Wow, what you?re talking about is giving me flashbacks!

My brother-in-law bought a boat kinda like yours and ?improved? it. He removed the full width seats, made a wood floor and added two pedestal seats. You?re right, lots more room to move around.

The first (and last) time I went in his boat was fishing the mouth of the Salmon River at Lake Ontario. We were having a great day just being out (we didn?t catch anything). My head was up my butt just lovin? the day. As the morning progressed, as often happens on the east shore of Ontario, the wave activity started to kick up (that?s an understatement), still no big deal?. Until I started to see the sides of the boat ?flex? a little as the waves got more aggressive, then it dawned on me (I must have come up for air I guess), this boat must have had full width seats?? and under those seats was flotation?? so I asked ?Hey, when you put the ?new? floor in, did you install any flotation material????..No? We were done for the day?.. at that exact moment! Glad I?m here to have a story to tell.

The boat had no business even being on the water, or maybe the trailer either!

 

[NYBo]

Re: beams

...yes i'm talking about removing the seats and the foam under them...

Okay, this doesn't match your original description of "a couple of 1x4s". Bad idea. Those seats are structural, and you also need the flotation if you are planning on taking it anywhere the water is more than waist-deep.

 

[kat-a-tonik]

Re: beams

it's not fiberglass it is an aluminum V-Hull

 

[MAC ATTACK]

Re: beams

Just by looking at the way they are mounted they are structural. Especially the small (but very important) bracket that ties the seat seat brace to the upper rail.

I have used all types of devices that will float in private ponds, but any big water and you must be prepared for worst case scenario.

Another issue on boat modifications........ It might work really well, but what are the liabilities if something happens while others are in your vessel?

 

[kat-a-tonik]

Re: beams

Ok guys, I appreciate the info and advice, should I try to find and replace the middle beam

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: beams

sorry... it's not a "beam" It is a seat or a bench..... beam is a measurement of the width... IE, the beam of billy's boat is exactly 96"

and yes definitely replace it.... You can put swivel seats on the bench seats if you want tho

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: beams

kat-a-tonik - Some advice, when asked for pics put them in your next post. We are are to help you, not digging through your posts to find pics you edited into the first post. Make it easier on us. Thanks.

And smokeonthewater has the way to add swivel seats. iboats has the seat clamps. Wise Boat Seat Clamps - iboats