Fitting Seats

[Chris]

I have just collected some seats from Leeway on the IOW, I have a single jockey to go directly behind the driver and then a double bench seat with stainless backrest to go at the back of the boat.

The only thing is having used the boat over the last few weeks with no seatig in (apart from the drivers seat of course!) I have got quite used to having a bit of space in the back which when there is just two of you and you are fishing it is quite handy to have the space.

So I have been thinking of ways I could mount the rear bench so that it can be removed whenever I want the space back. The main criteria being that whatver bracketry left on the boat when the seat is removed must not stand out too much and that it must all be water tight so as not to allow water through the deck.

So far I have come up with this Idea (see attached). Basically it is a round SS plate about 3-4mm thick and with a diameter of about 4". In the middle of the plate would be a threaded insert that would take a 10mm bolt. Then around the circumference of the plate would be either 4 or 6 countersunk holes to take large CSK self tapping SS Screws (size 8 or 10). These would then fix the plate to the deck. You would need to drill a hole into the deck as well to take the insert as it protrudes below the plate.

I would imagine fitting 6 of these into the deck. The bench seat which has a solid base would then be fixed onto these with 10mm bolts through load spreading SS plates or possible a frame fitted into the bottom of the Seatbase.

BTW the inserts in the deck plates would be blanked off at the bottom to stop water getting through into the hull and to stop them filling with water I would also use some plastic caps or maybe nylon bolts to seal them up.

Any thoughts?

[Nos4r2]

If it's all strong enough it sounds good.

Realistically though, once you've done all that work will you remove it enough to justify it?

[Polwart]

How did lee suggest fixing this to the deck? where does he suggest the load should be taken on the seat?

Jockey seats are normally glued in place as well as screwed if self tappers are used. So I would suggest the S/S plates should be sikaflexed in place too.

whats the deck made from?

they are still going to be slight trip hazards or your deck because they are raised (and slippery?). If the deck is thick ply it might be worth considering "routing" out a 3mm thick hole so the plate is flush - obviously all needs sealed in then.

[M Humphray]

Just be carefull, if you have a built in fuel tank? find out from the makers how long a screw you can use.

[Chris]

No problems there the fuel tank is under the front console.

NOS, I think I would probably get quite a lot of use out of this so its worth it.

Chris

[Pete7]

Chris

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...hlight=top+hat

[Chris]

Pete, great minds think alike eh?

I think this is the way I am going to go as it would leave the least hardware on the deck once the seat is removed.

I think the main area I need to look at is where the seat is bolted down as the base is not very thick so will need reinforcing. I am thinking maybe a frame of some sort or possibly a sheet of ply epoxied into the base.

Will have to think about that.

Chris

[Tim M]

Chris.
The front seating on my boat is removable to accommodate large objects/sails etc. Basically each jockey seat is bolted with 4 large bolts through the deck. Theres some sort of screw thread in the deck and presumably something underneath which holds it in place. I'll take a photo today.....

[Jizm]

I would put a rubber seal on the bench base and then resin some clinch nuts or thread inserts into the deck so they are flush, then use these to hold the seat down when fitted. Use M8 or M10 so the threads are nice and rugged.

[Chris]

Thanks for all the tips guys.

I have taken some pics of the layout and would appreciate your views with regards to the single jockey, as you can see it is quite a lot higher than the drivers seat and I think it looks a bit odd, I am thinking about cutting about 3 inches off the bottom and then fixing a plywood base into the jockey, I would then fit a hatch in the side so that I can gain access as the top is sealed and screw the base to the deck that way.

The other part of it that looks a little odd is the rounded cushion the drivers seat ond bench are sqaure topped. Perhaps I could modify the cushion to give it a flat top?

If I want to use plywood as the base how would I treat it so that it does not suffer damage when exposed to water?

Is there a hard plastic material that I could use instead say 1" thick?

Chris