OK to remove seat from boat?

[Milemaker13]

I'd like to remove a box seat in my 14' smokercraft v- hull fishing boat. It has a front and rear bench just like a row boat, but the center row is differant. There are two storage boxes, making the cockpit look like it has a "split bench".

The starboard side is rivited to the side and screwed to the floor. My fear is if I remove this box, will the structure be weakened? I'd like to install my driving station here.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

From your description that seat box is almost certainly a structural part of the boat.

 

[alldodge]

Don't know if this info is good but found it in the yellow pages 68143 Clunette St, New Paris, IN 46553 (574) 831-2103

Maybe ask the folks who make the boat

 

[jbcurt00]

And is there anyway to accomplish what you want as a steering station & retain the structural aspects of the bench seat?

You probably are building back some sort of a box, do you intend to put it back in the same or roughly the same place?

And are you removing only 1 side of the split bench?

I have a 14' smokercraft v- hull fishing boat and a new aluminum stering console. I'm looking for advice on how far forward to go with it. I was planning on going right about half way to the bow.

The cable I ordered is too long (D'Oh! ) for that location. When I was mocking it up, I came across the idea of pushing it farther forward and possibly sti using my cable.

How far is too far?

Same boat, right?

Many time's it's best to start a boat Topic over in the resto forum and put all your questions there. If I had noticed the boat & console Topic, I wouldn't have asked about putting the console in roughly the same place as the bench you want to remove.....

 

[JimS123]

The short answer is no. The box contains flotation, so, structural or not its a compromise of safety.

 

[Milemaker13]

Yes this box has a small amount of foam which I could relocate or replace it

 

[Milemaker13]

I'm planning to hit the pond this weekend to try out steering positions

 

[Milemaker13]

If it is structural can I cut it down so it forms a gusset bracing the side thereby removing most of the box

 

[Watermann]

Hey Mile you should really keep all your posts about this project in one place so guys don't get confused and answer the same things.
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gene...257159-where-to-place-my-new-steering-console
A thread in the resto forum would be perfect. Maybe a MOD can combine and move them for you. Also please post up some pics of your project for us to see what your doing.

 

[Milemaker13]

Another question... maybe I should post it in the engine section? But you guys said to keep it all together so I'm not sure. Can I fabricate a "tilt tube" for my older motor instead of using the transom mount clamp?

 

[NYBo]

Another question... maybe I should post it in the engine section? But you guys said to keep it all together so I'm not sure. Can I fabricate a "tilt tube" for my older motor instead of using the transom mount clamp?

I take it you are trying to adapt your tiller-steered motor to remote steering. If so, look here: http://www.iboats.com/Steering-Acce...74741537--session_id.406994625--view_id.47748

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

If it is structural can I cut it down so it forms a gusset bracing the side thereby removing most of the box

Maybe, maybe not, hard to say without laying hands on it. You'd be concentrating forces in a lot smaller area than with the factory configuration, which could potentially lead to problems with cracking down the road.