Seating Layout

[gregmercer]

I bought a 18' runabout and plan on replacing most of the floor and fixing it up. I do not want to go with the original seating layout though. I do not want a lounge back to back seat for the captains chair like you see in most runabouts. I want to replace it with a captains seat. This is easy to do, but to make it look good and have everything go together is harder. <br /><br />I have narrowed it down to three decisions.<br /><br />1) Have a bucket seat for the captains and passangers seat. (Downside, only 4 seats beside the bow seating)<br /><br />2) Bucket seat for the captain and a back to back lounge seat for the passangers seat. (Downside, might not look good, might look aftermarket and that they aren't suppose to go together)<br /><br />3) A bucket seat for the captain, and a bench along the port side of the boat. (Downside, most difficult to build and make look professional)<br />A lot of the new wakeboard boats have seating like this, I like the idea.<br /><br /><br />What do you guys think?<br /><br />Have any other seating layouts that you would recommend?<br /><br />Thanks!!<br /><br />Greg

 

[DJ]

Re: Seating Layout

2) Bucket seat for the captain and a back to back lounge seat for the passangers seat. (Downside, might not look good, might look aftermarket and that they aren't suppose to go together)<br />

I had that layout in a bowrider from the factory (Lowe 1730V).<br /><br />It also had a recepticle, in the floor, so a second bucket (fishing chair) could be located directly behind the captains seat.<br /><br />The set up worked very well.

 

[deputy00791]

Re: Seating Layout

I bought an 18' bowrider. I did replace all the stringers and floor in it. That was the perfect occasion to change my seating layout. I removed those lounge seats and replace them with captain's chairs (both passenger and driver). In the back I removed the 2 jump seats that were located beside the engine compartment. I made 1 big sun pad to fill in that space and built a bench in front of my engine compartment. Now I have seating for 5 plus the bow and lots of storage space. I made it so my bench can accomodate a pair of skis.

 

[gregmercer]

Re: Seating Layout

Deputy-<br /><br />Thats an excellent idea! I am excited and think that might be what I do! I wanted something to fit 5. Plus I would love all the extra storage under the sun pad. I guess the one thing I have to be careful of is keeping the weight down due to the fact that I only have a 120hp 4 cylinder. <br /><br /><br />Did you build the bench or buy one?<br /><br />Could you post some pictures or email me some? Thanks!!<br /><br />Greg

 

[DJ]

Re: Seating Layout

greg,<br /><br />Be careful, as you suspect, the boat is probably already stern heavy. I assume you mean a 120 I/O?<br /><br />The 120 is no stellar performer, particularly out of the hole.<br /><br />I, personally, do not like bench seating along the gunnel. It does not seem natural, to me, to ride that way.

 

[gregmercer]

Re: Seating Layout

Yes, its a I/O. <br /><br />After I get it fixed up, I plan on using it a lot for wakeboarding. I am going to put a tower on it. The good thing about the extra weight will be a bigger wake. I guess I can always go to a wakeboard prop if I need a little more out of the hole. <br /><br />I know what you mean about not feeling natural to ride back their. The truth is though, I will never be riding back their so honestly I am not too worried about it. <br /><br />Thanks for the reply!<br /><br />Greg

 

[MR78Z28]

Re: Seating Layout

I have to replace the floor in my 1968 15ft invader. i am replacing the seats with wise fishing seats. one at the driver, pass. and one in front of driver and pass console. then we are going to build a bench in front of the motor.

 

[DJ]

Re: Seating Layout

greg,<br /><br />As long as you know what you want and what you have, no issues, in my book.<br /><br />Good luck. Keep us posted.<br /><br />And, yes, you will need a real low pitch prop, for your needs.

 

[gregmercer]

Re: Seating Layout

How much top end can I plan to lose after installing a low pitch prop. I have never changed out a prop before. <br /><br />If my boat goes 40mph right now, how much top end should I plan to loose? 10mph?<br /><br />MR78Z28 - Have any pictures?<br /><br />Here's a picture of mine<br /><br />

<br /><br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Greg

 

[DJ]

Re: Seating Layout

How much top end can I plan to lose after installing a low pitch prop. I have never changed out a prop before. <br /><br />If my boat goes 40mph right now, how much top end should I plan to loose? 10mph?<br />

Losing 10 MPH is not out of the question. That is IF you want to make that boat into a real wakeboard "tractor".<br /><br />The most important thing is to know what your engines wide open throttle (WOT) operating range is. You can find that out by posting in the I/O-inboard section of this board. Post year and model number of your engine.<br /><br />Once you know that, post in (Prop area, of this board) what your WOT RPM is now. You may be under/over propped as we speak.<br /><br />Once the modifications are done. Test again. Again, the WOT reading is your best indicator. Again, the Prop selection area will get you the answers you are looking for.

 

[deputy00791]

Re: Seating Layout

Hi Greg,<br /><br />I built my bench in the back. Very simple. I made my entire bench and storage on the side of the motor. I made it so that it can be easily removed if I need to access the motor to work on it. I used a channel system where all my pieces lside in and are secured with a few stainless steele screws. I will post pics shortly.

 

[gregmercer]

Re: Seating Layout

Thanks deputy -<br /><br />I am looking foward to those pictures!<br /><br />Greg

 

[gregmercer]

Re: Seating Layout

I cut out the seat bases last night and dug out some foam to see what I was working with.<br /><br />Overall I am pretty happy with it. The foam had about 1/8th inch of standing water right next to the stringer on the starboard side. Other than that it was all dry. <br /><br />To make things easier, and so that I do not have to rebuild the bench on the bow, I am thinking about not cutting out the floor infront of the seat bases. I do have a soft spot about 4"x6" on the bow that I will cut out but leave the rest in tact. Then I am going to lay my new floor ontop of the exsiting floor in the front and have it sit 1/2" higher on the stringer in the back where the floor has been cut out so that it is all level. I need to have my whole boat done by the middle of may so I plan on doing this to save time. What do you guys think? <br /><br />If I didn't do this I would have to cut out the whole floor then rebuild the bench seats up front and the wood bases of the steering console and glove box. This would add atleast 20 hours more of work which I don't think I have.<br /><br />Greg<br /><br /><br />Here is a picture - <br /><br />

 

[samsam]

Re: Seating Layout

Originally posted by gregmercer:<br /> I bought a 18' runabout and plan on replacing most of the floor and fixing it up. I want to replace it with a captains seat. This is easy to do, but to make it look good and have everything go together is harder. <br />Greg

If you plan on a pedestal, put some reinforcement under the new deck before it's installed to take care of the "levered" load it will receive which tends to pull out the screws. As for building a new seat, basic upholstry is real simple to do, just look at other boats for how it's done and ideas. If you do any, be sure to use "monel" staples (not a brand but the kind of metal they are made from)(I think). You can get them at Home Depot. Sam

 

[gregmercer]

Re: Seating Layout

I have deceided to go with 2 captains seats, then a sunpad over the engine and jumper seats and a bench in front. I have been thinking about building this bench and can't deceide how I want to do it. I still need to be able to access my engine. How have you guys done this or how is it done on the new boats that come stock like this? Thanks!!<br /><br />Greg

 

[gregmercer]

Re: Seating Layout

Originally posted by deputy00791:<br /> Hi Greg,<br /><br />I built my bench in the back. Very simple. I made my entire bench and storage on the side of the motor. I made it so that it can be easily removed if I need to access the motor to work on it. I used a channel system where all my pieces lside in and are secured with a few stainless steele screws. I will post pics shortly.

Could you email me at llive4lax@yahoo.com with some more information please? I couldn't figure out how to PM or email people on this message board. Thanks!!<br /><br />Greg