Seating for a Zodiac Futura

Bars49 · 06 March 2012, 09:40

Hi, I have just bought a Zodiac Futura. It's a 1985 vintage but in very good condition. I have a 40hp Mariner outboard with a steering rig but no seating. I have searched the net for seating, benches that slot into the floor rails and also those that sit on the hook and webbing. I don't have any webbings but could buy them and glue them I guess. I would like to know if anyone has a bench for sale with the legs that slot into the rails or ideas/suppliers that may be able to oblige? Zodiac want nearly as much as I paid for the boat for a bench seat! Any seating ideas would be gratefully received. Thanks

guernseylee · 06 March 2012, 09:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bars49

Hi, I have just bought a Zodiac Futura. It's a 1985 vintage but in very good condition. I have a 40hp Mariner outboard with a steering rig but no seating. I have searched the net for seating, benches that slot into the floor rails and also those that sit on the hook and webbing. I don't have any webbings but could buy them and glue them I guess. I would like to know if anyone has a bench for sale with the legs that slot into the rails or ideas/suppliers that may be able to oblige? Zodiac want nearly as much as I paid for the boat for a bench seat! Any seating ideas would be gratefully received. Thanks

chas newins marine had 1 on on ebay

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Bars49 · 06 March 2012, 12:41

Thanks for that. I just looked and it's not there so I called them, unfortunately they have sold it. They may have some of the seat legs in stock, just waiting on a call back.

guernseylee · 06 March 2012, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bars49

Thanks for that. I just looked and it's not there so I called them, unfortunately they have sold it. They may have some of the seat legs in stock, just waiting on a call back.

np fella

jyasaki · 06 March 2012, 15:06

The webbing ones were just an L shaped piece of sheet aluminum on either side of the bench, as I recall. The flap slipped through the webbing.

Don't remember seeing the channel seats up close.

jky

captnjack · 06 March 2012, 16:14

On my old Bombard SIB I glued mounting slots onto the tubes and made a varnished wooden seat which wedged between the tubes. I don't recall who made the mounting slots unfortunately, but they do exist.

Peter_C · 06 March 2012, 20:40

We found a camp chair works well if only two people are onboard. Driver sits on the starboard tube, and drives with the tiller. Using motorcycle type tie downs we tie the chair down in four spots, to mounts I had already put into the boat. Works great on calmer days for a passenger as the mid point is a somewhat comfortable ride. We started doing that when my partner couldn't walk and was on crutches, but we still wanted to get out and do activities. On rougher days the tubes are the best place to be.

If your Zodiac is anything like ours, it will have the place to mount the seat already glued on. You could easily make a seat out of wood, and cover it with some vinyl and padding, or mount seat backs to the wood.

Read this thread for probably your best option. zodiac modifications

I have also seen some people just use a padded cooler. Serves two purposes.

guernseylee · 06 March 2012, 20:55

you could use these

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achille2124 · 09 March 2012, 15:14

The only "complicated" thing about the bench's are the aluminum bracket that slide inside the floor rail. If you figure the correct angle, any guy that is good with aluminum will be able to bend correctly.

Have a look at this drawing, it is the original technical plan for a Futura MK3 and on it you can see the drawing of the seat's braket. If you make those bracket (really easy), you just need a 6" wide x 33,5" long x 1" thick seat (can be made of wood/aluminum/plastic)

Hope it helps.

Bars49 · 09 March 2012, 15:20

Thanks for that. I could make the brackets, I am sure, but a photograph of the area that goes into the rail would really be appreciated. Could anyone oblige me please?

achille2124 · 09 March 2012, 17:06

Have a look at this picture.
I have several bracket in stock but they are jacked very high on a skid in the warehouse so it is quite hard to get to it.
You can see it in this (the bench is the same in futura or classic)

aagrollmus · 21 March 2014, 01:12

Hi! sorry to bring this post up but i was wondering if anyone have good pictures of the metal legs on these seats. I'm planning on building them but id love to have some closeups and better pictures of them.

Well anyway thanks!!!

Squid Boat · 21 March 2014, 02:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bars49

Thanks for that. I could make the brackets, I am sure, but a photograph of the area that goes into the rail would really be appreciated. Could anyone oblige me please?

Give me a 1/2 hour to dig one out and shoot pics.

Cheers, Squid

Squid Boat · 21 March 2014, 02:40

Here ya go... holly shite I can't use a camera on the whiskey,

Cheers, Squid

aagrollmus · 22 March 2014, 03:11

Thanks SQUID!!!!!
hehehhe sorry to ask for more, can i have the dimensions? lenght width height

Pleaaaase

Squid Boat · 22 March 2014, 04:07

[QUOTE=aagrollmus;608156]Thanks SQUID!!!!!
hehehhe sorry to ask for more, can i have the dimensions? lenght width height

Pleaaaase

[/QUOTE

Give me till Sat night mate, will do . I see them on FleeBay from time to time as well.

Cheers, Squid

spartacus · 22 March 2014, 07:25

Chas has the legs for sale at £45 each. They look tricky to make because of the angles, but if you're good at metal work then have a go. Original alloy product must be cast. You could buy legs and add bench part yourself?

Here's bench on Fleabay.
zodiac Bench seat Complete kit with aluminium legs z1265 Classic*Futura Seat | eBay

Squid Boat · 24 March 2014, 01:09

I would not fabricate these if I could buy at 45 unless I had a Brigeport,(cnc) free 7075 al and free time to be spent in the shop instead of boating or Pub time.

I will measure them in if needed, but I'm cold, tired and in need of a wee whiskey.

Cheers, Don