middle bench seat removal?

[Pony]

I searched the forum and didnt find much of an answer to this question. I just purchased a 1987 14ft alumicraft with a 25 hp johnson. I was thinking about putting a deck with pedastal seat over the front two seats ( the tiny tiny one, and the next one back). Primarily i will use this as a two man fishing rig so the middle bench might be clunky. I want to remove it and put in a flat floor with a pedastal seat, that way 3 people is still possible, but the seat wont be an issue if there isnt. The question is will the rivets leak? how is this seat held to the boat? Will it harm the structural integrity of the boat if its removed?(I know that there are quite a few ribs in the floor)

 

[JB]

Re: middle bench seat removal?

If that seat contributes to the hull rigidity and you remove it, the hull will flex and quickly turn into a sieve, pony.<br /><br />Why not put the pedestal on top of the middle thwart?

 

[Pony]

Re: middle bench seat removal?

Yeah when i asked that question i kinda figured it would be a bad idea....still had to hold out hope. I don't know....a pedastal seat that high in an aluminum boat?? I think i am going to just settle for putting in three new swivels. JB...Where would u put your feet?

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: middle bench seat removal?

As said, that bench is a major structural part of the hull to make it resist twisting. <br /><br />Swivel seats are great, but remember the higher you elevate yourself, the more you raise the center of gravity,,,,, and the easier it will be to turn the boat over.

 

[jason's ss]

Re: middle bench seat removal?

just email me and I can send you some pics of my dads aluminum hull with a front mounted swivel seat. It's been working now for 4 years and is very sturdy. Jason9520@yahoo.com

 

[NBE]

Re: middle bench seat removal?

I have a 15 ft Louisiana Traveler with no middle seat. I think the middle seat was removed by the previous owner and from all indications the seat was not part of the structural support but rather just attached to the sides of the boat and used as just that....a seat. <br /><br />The far front seat was extended by about 2.5 feet with plywood making a deck. I have a pedestal swivel seat on that deck plus a pedestal swivel seat on the far rear seat (one next to the motor, no deck). Both pedestals are around 18 inches or so high (standard pedestals). I usually sit on the front seat with my 230 pounds and my 16 year old son sits on the rear seat with his 255 pounds (6'2"...big boy) and the boat is very stable, even with my 10 year old son sitting in the middle on an ice chest. I have no problem even standing and fishing if I want to. <br /><br />Most of the time these middle seats are raised off of the floor some so the boat can drain and are usually only attached to the top sides of the boat. The real supports are the metal "struts" or "ribs" that go across the boat bottom (from side to side) and also usually up the sides in various places throughout. If the seat you want to remove is not part of the structure but rather just attached to the sides of the boat I see no problem in doing what you want to do. I see many of these aluminum boats here in Louisiana with the deck type of configuration. I guess it really all depends on how well your boat is made.

 

[John_S]

Re: middle bench seat removal?

How about a picture to evaluate? While the current description sounds like it is part of the structure, there might be ways to add that to the mods you have planned. <br /><br />I have two 14' boats. One is a 3 bench seat row boat style. The middle seat is a structural part of the boat, tied into the sides and to the center (bottom) of boat (no floor). It also has floation material inside, which if yours does, would want to consider adding it somewhere else. On the 14' Starcraft, which has a floor, the middle bench seat only goes 2/3rd of the way across and has no structural support. It was recently removed to add pedistal seats. The Starcraft also has a 4" side rail (not sure what the right term is) vs the rowboat having just a 1" side rail.

 

[Pony]

Re: middle bench seat removal?

last week i made a 3 piece removable floor that i put in it when i decided that i just couldnt tell if the seat was structural.....later today i will try and post a pic without the floor and one with and you guys can tell me what you all think.

 

[Toontime]

Re: middle bench seat removal?

My 88 Monarch's seat is only attached by rivets at the top of the sides. I cut the tops out of the middle and rear benches to make hinged lids for storage. After removing the waterlogged foam, I found that the bottom lips of the seats only rested on the boat bottom and were not attached. I put piano hinges on the cutout pieces and a plywood cover over the full seat length then mounted a pin seat base to the plywood. Works great.

 

[John_S]

Re: middle bench seat removal?

Toontime,<br /><br />I considered the same mod to my center rowboat seat, primarily to incorp a livewell/baitwell. Never went through with that mod. Any pictures?

 

[goldhunter_2]

Re: middle bench seat removal?

we have done several like that. the seat is struatual but can be replaced with heavy duty braces under the floo and up the sides or rod/gun boxes on the sides<br /><br />rivets... they still make those drill the rivits out and replace them where seat attaches or any leaks are present!

 

[Beck]

Re: middle bench seat removal?

Hey All,<br /><br />Just to add my .02 I have a 14' riveted flat. But the boat has a 72" beam and is very stable, you can walk all over that boat with no problem of tipping it. Two guys on rear side corner of boat landing a red, no problem. Have a front deck which I extended for front storage and a larger fishing deck with pedlestal seat. I also gutted the middle seat made 3 compartments, middle for fuel tank (old metal 6 gal. fits perfect) have a wooded hinged lid, two side compartements were going to be small insulated compartments for drinks etc. but they did not hold ice for long so they became more storage. I gutted the rear seat for more storage and put (3) 1/2" sections of plywood from rear seat to transom for even more storage and a rear platform. Since the flat was so wide it eventually broke the middle rib in the middle of the rib. Had it welded and it broke again, woundn't take the pounding of waves. I then had a boat shop weld a 1 1/2" angle x 1/4" thick on 4 of the ribs thus raising the floor an 1 1/2" All of the flotation removed from the seats was put under the flooring. Have a fishing seat on rear platform. I didn't put a seat on the middle seat as it is nice to stand in the middle of the boat (on wood cover of fuel tank) to fish.<br /><br />I have fished with this boat for 9 years very nice little rig. I had a 25 hp on it and then switched to a 48 spl. The rivets do leak some. I replaced probably 70% of them with 1/4" ss carrage bolts coated with 5200. Stopped most of the leaks but it does seep. Just pump it out every once and a while.<br /><br />I think im my rig the middle seat adds to the stability of the boat although it does flex a bit.<br /><br />Beck<br /><br />Ps: Just boutht a Tims 16x54 welded and am swaping 48 to that boat. <br /><br />Pss: 14' boat for sale

 

[Pony]

Re: middle bench seat removal?

<br /><br />This shows how the seat connects to the hull

 

[Pony]

Re: middle bench seat removal?

<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br />These pictures show the removable floor i added. It comes out in three pieces so I can remove it during the winter

 

[Pony]

Re: middle bench seat removal?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...d=1,1&item=4567673124&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT <br /><br />This is the same boat i have...ran across it looking for props. I wonder if his hull leaks???