Attaching new seats to the deck

[Capt. Bob]

This weekend I am installing my two new front seats in my 15' Silverline. The old seats had a wooden framed box under them about 14" X 14" and was hinged to the rear of the seat. When you lifted the front of the seat you had a small storage box under the seat. All of the screws are loose and the seats are hardly attached to the deck.<br /><br />My new seats have a plastic base and holes to bolt them down. What would be the best way to make a new base, with or without the storage and then what is the best way to screw/or? them to the deck? The base needs to be about 3-4" high.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Attaching new seats to the deck

what is your deck made of..??

 

[crab bait]

Re: Attaching new seats to the deck

you know ,, it don't matter really..<br /><br />i'd make a frame outta good wood .. either mohogany, white oak , but N O T .red oak, doug fir or locust or cypress down your way.. all good durable wood & SLOW to ever rot..<br /><br />coat everthin' with 2 coats of THIN epoxy .. get a quart total at a marine center.. also get some silica there & some 'milled fibreglass powder if'n they have it ..<br /><br />thick'n' up some thin epoxy with this stuff & glue down the new frame to the floor.. it'll hold for ever ,,!! no screws .no nails .. no rot to floor..

 

[Capt. Bob]

Re: Attaching new seats to the deck

It is plywood with a layer of fiberglass over it. I don't know how thick it is but my last one was only 1/2".

 

[Capt. Bob]

Re: Attaching new seats to the deck

I don't know why I didn't think about using epoxy...and the other stuff is to make it thick so it won't run out of the joint I'm guessing.<br />Great idea crab...thanks!

 

[blifsey]

Re: Attaching new seats to the deck

If you hinge them, seems to me being hinged in front would be better if it still allows you to lift the seat up to get to storage area without hitting helm, etc. Then, as you lean back in seats, it wouldn't tend to "open" the storage area.<br /><br />BL...

 

[crab bait]

Re: Attaching new seats to the deck

yeah,, that's about rite.. <br /><br />but you should never ever use 'thin' epoxy for bondin'/gluing... its to thin & will soak in to much.. an leave a bad glue joint.. the thin is for laminatin' & soak-in rot/waterrproofin'.. but thicken it up some & you also gotta WORLD CLASS glue.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Attaching new seats to the deck

West system epoxy provides free books on epoxy used for wooden boat restoration among many other things. VERY good information. Available through West Marine I believe.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Attaching new seats to the deck

Starboard for the box 1/2"-3/4" thick... Then use some aluminum angle to fasten the box to the floor... Easy and no need for epoxy..Big time saver..