Might have a BIG problem…

[DrewS0311]

So, I went to go look at a 16ft sea king. It was basically bare - the part that worries me is the current owner took the seats out. If that’s part of the structure, how big of a deal/how hard would it be to replace them?

I like the idea of making it my own, but I don’t want to sink… so if replacing the seats safely is going to be hard and/or dangerous, I’d like to know before I pay the guy $500.

See photos.

Thank you in advance!

Drew

 

[airshot]

That boat would be fairly easy as the seat wood just slides into those brackets attached to the sides. In all probability there was an aluminum rectangle hanging under the seat where flotation was added, a foam of some sort. A bigger issue I see is the transom wood needs replaced, the lumber in there now is cracked in many places, probably soft and rotted. Probably what happened to the seats.....

 

[A1957]

I agree, the seat is the easy fix. That boat will need a transom.

 

[Scott Danforth]

to replace the transom and the seats is a sheet of 3/4" ACX exterior plywood and some tite-bond III glue.

laminate 2 pcs together for the transom, use 3 pcs for the seats.

its a weekend job.

 

[DrewS0311]

First, I want to thank everyone. I was gonna put this deal on ice.

So, I hear y’all on the transom. I think it LOOKS worse than what it really is - I checked it out hardcore. It is super solid. I think it LOOKS cracked in the photo, but felt damn solid, and no indications of rot. I am going to hit it with a wheel to clean it up and then prime it. This has been stored either under a carport or in a garage since it was purchased in ‘69.

Thanks for setting my mind at ease about the seats, I think I have a solution. I’m thinking I might use some composite material (like trex decking) for the seats and build some sort of box underneath to hold some foam. Same general idea as Scott from above.

Another question: Do I NEED the foam? I’d like to get this thing on the water just to see if I’ve got issues. If I put the seats in, should that be structurally sound enough to putter around a bit with a trolling motor and see if I’ve got any leaks or other issues?

Additionally, I don’t want to do anything crazy right now as I’m probably going to really build on it after this fishing season is over - put a deck in with flotation under it (not too thick, I like the high sides for the kids), build a casting deck, add some storage and even a live well. Hell, I might even repaint the whole thing.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Just replace the transom while you do the seats. It's part of tinny boat maintenance

 

[Bondo]

Another question: Do I NEED the foam? I’d like to get this thing on the water just to see if I’ve got issues. If I put the seats in, should that be structurally sound enough to putter around a bit with a trolling motor and see if I’ve got any leaks or other issues?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,...... Not putting foam in it, dramatically increases the chance of drowning if something goes wrong, no matter the size of the pond,.......