"Jump seat" on smaller console

[limeydal]

Was thinking of trying to add a small pod seat in front of the console on my xs-550. My kid loves being upfront (just in the Bay ) while dad plays around with some fast manouvers.
Have seen some of the consoles on larger RIBs with a built in seat,but anyone tried fabricating one as an "add on" ??
Any ideas appreciatted
cheers Dal

[jyasaki]

A small ice chest, strapped down, works pretty well. Igloo makes snap-on cushions for many of theirs, as well as an achoring kit (Worst Marine used to carry both cushions and strap kits last I looked.)

jky

Not sure why I said "small". The 94 qt model I have is about as wide as the front-of-console seat on my RIB; and it's pretty large. Sorry about that...

[limeydal]

Hi Jky
I have a pretty tight bow area!
The console is well forward and I dont really want to block my anchor locker .
So got hold of some angle iron today and going up to the workshop to play around.
So much rain down here there's nothing much else to do

cheers Dal

[jyasaki]

It's going to be a pretty small seat if a cooler won't fit.

Still, custom things are usually better suited than adapting something, assuming you have the time and talent to get it right.

Luck (and post some pics);

jky

[limeydal]

jky,
yes, just want a small pod seat.
Mainly so we can stand up and grip with the knees for support.
Also Useful when the missus drives and I am up front taking photos .

I have a frame done and just started to make a seat pad and backrest.
Made of angle and coated with Hammerite to protect it.
Not as good as stainless ,but then again I cant weld that

Also made it ,so it has a rail under the seat to hold a spare 5 gall fuel can for those long runs (or to help other boaters out )
Will try and get piccies soon.
cheers Dal

[limeydal]

Heres an idea of what it looks like.
Have the seat installed and just working on a backrest pad to fix on the grab rail to prevent hitting your back.
Kid tested and very comfy
Maybe a rope between the two front grab handles to hold onto and should be ready for a test drive,
cheers dal

[no excuses]

nice

[jyasaki]

Looks good. A lot smaller than I was envisioning.

jky

[treerat]

I like the idea of the extra fuel tank under. I have a box about the size of a cool box I was planning to put up front. Was planning to use a webbing strap to keep it down which would feed through a couple of eyes in the floor with a back bad stuck on the front of the consol.

However I like this idea.

Andy

[limeydal]

Looks like its first try out tommorrow!
Taking a cameraman from Spike Tv, who are doing a "pirate" episode of "Ultimate Warriors".
So he should fit nicely upfront, on the new Pod.
They will be offshore,onboard one of the Museums ships from 7.00am to 5 pm and they will board me for the "waterline" shots.
Seems I may just need that extra 5 gallon tank

cheers Dal