Re: Starcraft 21' Mariner That's no longer for sale
One of the options lacking on Mariner's is a rear seat or bench. The PO had this boat rigged for big lake fishing and no rear seat is great for that. I am not a big fishermen and don't plan on ever re-rigging the boat with outriggers and downriggers. We use the boat for pleasure, skiing and tubing.
The boat is rated for 9 people but doesn't have that many seats. The Admiral has been pushing for a folding rear bench, so she could tan and read. After running a bunch of different options in my head and on paper, I decided that a folding bench wasn't the best option at the rear of the boat, ladder access when swimming and getting the right amount of support on a folding bench work against each other.
I made a prototype bench support up of some old alum. bench brackets I have laying around. You can see our current rear seat option tucked in the corner.
My plan was to make up two half benches that would be easily removed for access to the sliding doors. 4 matching bench brackets were cut and assembled. The whole seat would be 66" wide and the back would a little less, so the bimini top would store properly.
Drew up a plan for upholstering the seat and back so everything would be picked up in one trip. Wife has a 50% off coupon at one of the local sewing shops.
I still have our first boat out in the yard, a 1964 Crosby that now has a cracked keel and leaks like a sieve. It's a project that's been for sale for a long time, no bites. We were planning a Fathers Day outing and I thought about pulling the rear bench out of that boat to use as a test. Putting a tape to it, I was very surprised to see it was 66" wide
Ended up pulling it and attaching 3 of the 4 brackets that had been made up.
This is the result.
I'm not real happy with the maroon colored back but the Admiral says it adds a splash of color to the boat, so I'm not complaining too much. I'm color blind by choice.
The rear of the bottom bracket butts up to the sliding door lower channel. The top of the bracket rests against the rear cross support above the sliding doors. I used 3 lags to temp it in. It was very secure.
We went out on the boat with 4 adults and 2 kids, the bench worked awesome. Nice and comfortable, storage under, and a half step down when getting back in the boat.
The back is a little narrow, but it does allow me to get a look at the fuel gauges without pulling the seat. Now just have to conger up a quick disconnect mount for the bench and maybe reupholster the back, someday.
Next up will be a front seat sun deck, still in my head.
Just had a call from my wife, sun deck will wait, first will be installing the Teleflex Xtreme Steering kit that arrived today
