Building a rear couch and sun pad engine hatch

[Volphin]

My winter project will be to get rid of my old runabout doghouse and build a really cool oversized sun pad and couch for the back of the boat. I'd also like it to lift up and be gas shock assisted for engine maintenance. This vessel is a 1989 Regal Sebring and the upholstery is very tired anyway.

I also want to ditch the old seats that are currently for 2 people each, for single seat buckets with fold down blotters for better viewing.

Um, I'm an OK woodworker, but have never attempted this before. Any pointers? How do you build a curved couch? Or would straight be easier? 1/2 inch plywood? Thicker?

 

[Volphin]

Something like this...

 

[bruceb58]

What do you have now?

 

[Volphin]

I have a doghouse engine cover with 2 flat cushions on either side of it that can be installed low or high to form a skinny sun pad. Forward of the hatch are the traditional I/O seats on each side with a ski locker in the middle. These seats are configured for two forward and two rearward facing.

 

[bruceb58]

Have a picture?

 

[Volphin]

It looks like this, only not so clean. LOL

 

[bruceb58]

I have a feeling you won't have room for a couch unless you change you back to back seat to one that only faces forward.

 

[bruceb58]

You plan on doing your own upholstery?

 

[Volphin]

I am going to change the seats to buckets. Probably not going to do the upholstery, but the frames.