building a benchseat with a cooler base

[swimmin' for shore]

Restoring these older boats, it's cost-prohibitive to go with some of the expensive models I've seen on the net, but I want to do this. It'll be a fairly shallow cooler, as the bench has to be fairly low...14' 1978 Fiberform...<br /><br /> Does anyone know of a good place to find gasket for the lid/cushion to set down against and seal the cooler? It'll be in the back, so I figured to build a pretty basic box, a plug on the bottom so that it can be drained into the bilge, fiberglass it inside and out, and then paint. I want to put a gasket around the top, and a latch to lock it down onto the gasket with. Simple enough design. Now with the questions:<br />1. Where can I get gasket? <br />2. Will it be fairly simple to glass this over, or am I going to have problems with the glass wanting to pull back at the edges? I could staple it until the resin dries enough for the glass to be stiff...<br />As always, all suggestions on design, materials, workmanship, etc... are welcome. You guys have saved me from myself once or twice.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: building a benchseat with a cooler base

How about door/window weather stripping? <br /><br />I would build the box out of thin plywood, glue foam insulation panels along the inside, and then glass the inside. Use epoxy and you should have no problems sticking to the foam. <br /><br />If you want to use polyester resin, I think that you will need to use a higher end structural foam that will not react with the polyester resin (like gas in a styrofoam cup).

 

[crab bait]

Re: building a benchseat with a cooler base

first off use thin style epoxy.. use no gasket..<br /><br />i built one myself.. outta wood .. but i guess fibreform's ok.. ( don't really know what it is ,tho )..<br /><br />build the box.. but DO NOT ADHERE bottom..<br /><br />buy thick pink ownen/corning construction styo-foam .. 4 x 8 sheet.. also buy a sheet of 1/8" thin sheet..<br /><br />cut & glue ( 3-m 77 spray adhesive ) the thick foam to sides on box.. <br /><br />now cut & hinge lid/top to box.. temporary ( few screws ) .. <br /><br />FROM THE OPEN BOTTOM,, cut thick foam piece an slide it up to the lid via the opened bottom.. tite fit desired.. <br /><br />when statisfied,, cut & glue 1/8" thin foam to the ENTIRE dimention of the lid bottom..<br />( say 18 x 24 lid.. 18 x 24 thin 1/8" foam )<br /><br />then glue the thick piece ( already cut ) in place FROM THE BOTTOM onto the 1/8" foam..<br /><br />now un-screw the hinge an lift top/lid off..( cause it wont open because of 'no tapered hinge arch ,YET.) <br /><br />CAREFULLY,, sand/rasp/ a taper (easy-to-do) to the front side egde of of the lid foam.. <br /><br />careful ,, don't take much, IF ANY , say a 1/4 inch away/from the thin/thick foam glue junction..<br /><br />this madness ,,is so the lid has a 'hinge arch' so it can open & close.. an still a tite seal where needed.. <br /><br /><br />when satisfied,, add bottom board an foam.. <br />you should slap some glass on all the foam with epoxy as to prevent foam chipping..<br /><br />a good job here is not required ..<br /><br />bore 1 1/8 hole in bottom an install transom brass tube an plug for drain.. <br /><br />it's by far the best cottonpickin' cooler i ever seen .. ice really keep FOR DAYS..!!

 

[gregmercer]

Re: building a benchseat with a cooler base

I am planning on building a cooler in the bench that I am putting in the back of my boat. I have found some good information in these posts but was wondering if anyone has some pictures or any more info so I could get some more ideas. I plan on using Polyester resin because thats what I have been using on the whole boat.<br /><br />Also - is there a way to send PM's with iboats forums?<br /><br />Thanks!!<br /><br />Greg

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: building a benchseat with a cooler base

I think that you will need to use a higher end structural foam that will not react with the polyester resin (like gas in a styrofoam cup).

This may explain why I have such a hard time filling up the boat with styrofoam cups!

 

[alden135]

Re: building a benchseat with a cooler base

Would it be easier/cheaper to just make a seat that a cooler would fit inside?

 

[flashback]

Re: building a benchseat with a cooler base

Im with you alden.......maybe even 2 or 3 smaller coolers. that way you don't have to dig thru the bait to get to the beer..

 

[gregmercer]

Re: building a benchseat with a cooler base

Well the bench is only 11 inches tall. I looked around a little bit but nobody had any coolers that were short enough, besides the ones that only hold a 6 pack. Any ideas?<br /><br />Greg

 

[brownies]

Re: building a benchseat with a cooler base

Most coolers that I've seen are a sink looking compartment inside of a box. <br /> The box being part of the boat and the compartment inside of it. <br /> Pretty much just like a livewell.<br />The box is structurally sound because it's an integrated part of the boat. The inner compartment/liner supports no weight. Some are removable, others are not.<br /> <br /> The last one I built followed this design. I found a shallow fiberglass tub. (looked like a sink or a livewell). I had to shorten it to get the right height.<br /> I drilled a hole in the bottom for drainage and set loosely on two pieces of short garden hose.<br /> I then built a box out of wood that was larger than the tub. The height was just enough to put downward pressure on the tub to hold it securely against the garden hose "bushings" under it.<br /> Fiberglass covered the box. Drilled some holes in the sides of the box and sprayed expanding foam in them as insulation which also secured the tub on the sides.<br /> Fiberglassed those holes, carpeted it, installed the cushion/lid.<br /> <br /> Sure took alot less time to type that than it did do it........

 

[gregmercer]

Re: building a benchseat with a cooler base

What kind of lid/cushion did you use? Did it seal tight or just sit on top of the opening?<br /><br />Where did you find the fiberglass tub? <br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />Greg

 

[gregmercer]

Re: building a benchseat with a cooler base

I started to build the cooler out of foam, then glassing the inside. <br /><br />I need a lid for it though, I don't want to make one, I am getting short on time to finish this project. Aywhere I could find a lid to use that would sit flush? Thanks<br /><br />Greg<br /><br /><br />

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