Rear seating next to engine cover

[TBarCYa]

I'm looking for advice on adding seats next to my engine cover. My boat is a 21' Regal Cuddy and while I don't have a pic of my boat, the pic below is setup very similar to mine. What I'm looking to do is build some sort of seating into the areas beside the engine cover and while it's not beyond my skills to make a new engine cover with the seats built in that are on the same hinge as the cover, such a configuration would definitely prevent me from being able to move around the engine compartment when the cover is open.

I've got two ideas. One would be to put pedestal seats back there with a permanent base and removeable pedestals so that I can remove the seats when access to the engine is needed. The problem is that there isn't much room for a standard seat so they would most likely have to be above the engine cover which is not what I want. The other idea is to build small boxes out of wood covered in glass with removeable padded lids that could serve as seats. With padded bolsters around the whole stern of the boat, it could be made comfortable and would not be bolted down so they would be easily removeable if access to the engine is required. I'm thiniing that I could use bungee or nylon straps to hold the boxes to the engine cover to keep them from moving around.

Anyhow here is the pic. Like I said, it's not my boat but it's similar. I will post a pic of my boat once my camera is done charging.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

pretty simple I would imaginge. I would make the bottom cushion readily removable and stowable and make the back cushion affixed to the back wall. It is very hard to be more specific without the exact picture and measurements. I don't really quite understand that stepped back stearn wall.

 

[wewefirex2x]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

If you go to this website they have jumpseats that are only 15" wide. Don't know if that is too wide but a good site nonetheless. www.boatingseats.com Plus there customer service is very nice too.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

The seats in my searay had cleats (essentially wood slats) on both sides (engine cover and gunwale side). A padded seat base would rest on these and your back would lean against the padded bolsters on the transom.

If you look in the pic attached, you can see the upper cleats. The padded cushions could be removed and put on the upper cleats for a sundeck.

 

[TBarCYa]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

I'll definitely try to get pics tomorrow because under my gunwale and stern wall is completely open and it will be nice to be able to enclose the stern wall and hide the batteries and trim motor.

I really like the idea of the cleats in the searay. I will have to build a piece that goes from the gunwale to the floor for the outboard cleats but it makes them very removeable. From there it's just a matter of deciding whether to make seatbacks or use the rear bolster as a seatback. A rear bolster that goes across the whole transom is nice because it adds padding for someone sitting on the engine cover but having individual seatbacks for the side seats will hide the batteries and 'stuff' better.

Plenty of thoughts on this one. Thanks.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

pretty simple I would imaginge. I would make the bottom cushion readily removable and stowable and make the back cushion affixed to the back wall.

I have the same set up as ROGERWA. Like BOOMYAL said, the seats can also be used as stow away comp. under the seat cushions. don't make a solid wall facing the engine that way you can still change the plugs,oil filter etc..and the seat cushions are removable, easy access for storage/engine compartment. I will send a pic.later today. Like I said earlier same as Rogerwa.

 

[Zero Balance]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

I got rid of my rear seats due to them not being condusive to my needs. I replaced them with these.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...e&storeNum=null&subdeptNum=null&classNum=null

I also installed a couple more hangers to mount the seats on the gunnels if needed rather than in the back. Spendy but in my case worth every penny. I bought them 3 years ago @ $139. They must have gotten popular.

 

[TBarCYa]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

How long is the leg on those folding seats? I'll have to measure my gunwale height but if the leg is long enough to reach the floor, then it may work. If it's meant to have the leg on the gunwale, then it won't work for me.

Thanks.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

I would think this set up is would be more comfortable for passengers, I for one some times when we are just anchored I enjoy kicking back and relaxing with cup holders on the cover, Very comfortable..and shouldn't be to hard to build. Paula and I reupholstered our selves with the grey, very simple to do it yourself cheaper then what I thought for the material.

 

[TBarCYa]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

Ok here's a pic of my boat. Normally the batteries are all secured but I took them out to hook up the charger. As you can see, there's a lot of stuff under the deck that I'd like to hide and with the gunwales being open, I will have to build a vertical piece to support the outboard edge of the seats. I think I'm going to build just seat bottoms and bolsters will act as seatbacks. It's a mess but all of the pics can be seen at http://www.tombarcia.net/Regal/

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

Look at all that storage space, if you set up it like ours, if you just put in chairs you lost alot of stow away space...

 

[QuadManiac]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

If you add a second set of cleats, higher up, then you can raise your seat bottoms when you wish and turn the whole aft end (motor cover included) into a convertible layout sun deck.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

Cool Idea maniac !! I second that motion!

 

[TBarCYa]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

When you figure that I'm removing the boxes that the middle seats are on as seen here: http://www.tombarcia.net/Regal/lg_100_5200.jpg the extra storage space in the rear will be needed to hold tools and spares.

Those middle seats are going to be put on removeable pedestals to open up the cockpit for fishing. With the rear seats also removed there should be more than enough room to move around and someone could still sit on the engine cover. Right now, it's kinda cramped because of those huge wooden boxes that the previous owner installed so I can't wait to get rid of them.

Thanks for the pics and ideas guys. I'm pretty much decided on how it's going to be setup now.

 

[Zero Balance]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

How long is the leg on those folding seats?
Thanks.

Not sure. You could contact the manufacturer for the info. I know i have the brackets installed on my gunnel with the legs resting on the floor and i had to trim off 6" as they were too tall for my application. What i liked about these seats is that i could move them to a different location and just pop them into the brackets and be done or fold them up and store them in the gunnels

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

If you add a second set of cleats, higher up, then you can raise your seat bottoms when you wish and turn the whole aft end (motor cover included) into a convertible layout sun deck.

You can only do that if you have someone worthy of the "Official HOTD thread" to lay up there.

 

[TBarCYa]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

You can only do that if you have someone worthy of the "Official HOTD thread" to lay up there.

Don't I wish!!

 

[vincedepue2]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

new to iboats forums. i own a 1999 sport craft CC 210. the leaning post is very small and i am wanting to find a place to make a custom leaning post with backrest and possible storage, but use my existing SS posts and framework. thanks for any leads or suggestions

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

Hey welcome to iboats !! The best, #1 site for all your boating needs! If you start a new thread for your self the response will be much greater for your question Just hit "NEW Thread" put in your title(question) and your on your way>>>Pat

 

[vincedepue2]

Re: Rear seating next to engine cover

thanks for the reply pat. ive been trying to find the new thread option, but cannot find it anywhere. i have several questions to ask. vince