DIY SEATING FOR A SPEEDBOAT? Any Ideas

[pookey_amiko]

i have had some great advice already from this board, I wondered if anyone could help me with my final problem. My speedboat has no seaTING WHATSOEVER, I was thinking of adding some simple wooden benches with waterproof cushions, or maybe trying to get some car seating from a salvage yard, like my other posts, cost is a major factor as i an just trying to make the boat useable for his christmas present, my husband can doll it up through the winter to his own specifications. The floor seems to be wood.

Thanks

 

[tcm]

car seats are the way to go. Almost any old renault seats are v comfy.

 

[pookey_amiko]

Thanks TCM, what would be the best way to fit them?

 

[Avocet]

Car seats are only really a temporary solution because they don't take kindly to getting wet - especially salt water. It might look a bit odd but something like a ride-on lawnmower seat or a dumper truck / fork lift truck seat might be a better bet. Northern Tools do them starting at about £35:

http://www.northerntooluk.com/product/default.asp?catId=1&subCatId=3&page=2

Alternatively, maybe start looking through the sports, racing and kit car magazines for some fibreglass "bucket" type seats.

 

[Talbot]

I have a Wise Boat Seat as my helmsmans rest! These can be secured into the boat and provide good comfort per cost

 

[pookey_amiko]

Thanks Avocet, what would I mount these seats on? They look like theyd do the job!

 

[pookey_amiko]

Thanks Talbot, where can you buy these from? looks good.

 

[Talbot]

Most chandlers can source the Wise seats. In addition to the one on the previous picture at about £40, they also do a high back seat and bench seats.

A good selection of the range is http://www.chandleryworld.co.uk/acatalog/WiseHelmsmanSeatsPedestals.html but their prices are a bit high.

 

[andy_wilson]

Car seat recommendations

Fiat Panda, light and waterproof.

Prob'ly drop to bits though, being Italian.

 

[William_H]

Re: Car seat recommendations

I am a bit horrified at the thought of car seats due to great weight and rust problems. Here in Oz and I imaginne in UK when you bring the boat home you hose out the interior to get the salt spray and dirt out. The wooden bench or the plastic seat type are most common. The plastic bucket seat is either mounted on a wooden bench or on a pole to make it swivel. Beware there can be a lot of downward not necessarily sraight forces on the seat pole when banging over waves so there is a lot to be said for mounting on to a wooden bench. If you use a pole make it strong.
Many speed boat drivers prefer to sit high to see over the windscreen but then also like to be able to duck down below the screen for shelter from spray rain and cold wind so a variable height type is good. (we often see helmsmen sitting on top of the back of upholstered seats steering with feet. when going slow)
http://www.whitworths.com.au this is an Oz chandler so cartage may be a bit too much but has pictures etc to give you some ideas including Wise seats. good luck olewill

 

[Lakesailor]

Re: Car seat recommendations

A bloke near us (I've referred to him in the "sunk engine " thread) had some fetching plastic milk crates to sit on before going upmarket and making a bench from hardwood decking, in his V8 powered jet boat.

 

[Avocet]

I think the lawnmower ones have a couple of studs projecting from the steel base. You'd just have to look at where these ended up in relation to the mounting surface. If its strong enough and flat at the point you want to mount them, just drill a hole. If not, you'll have to make a wooden or maybe fabricate a metal / fibreglass plinth. It's hard to say without seeing the installation. Car race seats typically a re designed to mount on a flat floor. They usually come wit hthreaded inserts in the base of the seat. Some come with brackets to mount on a flat floor.

 

[michael_w]

Re: Car seat recommendations

As a stop gap measure, how about a garden bench. Don't sneer. Cheap light, probably the right width or could easily be cut down. Bit of ply to spread the load under the legs and away you go. Then use it in the garden when the boat is properly equiped.

If it is a bit tough on your bum, a few cushions, like the variety they rent out a Lord's would be perfect.

After all, the classy slipper launches on the Thames use Lloyd Loom armchairs.

 

[pookey_amiko]

Re: Car seat recommendations

Now I'm just spoilt for choice! Some great ideas thank you. I think I may opt for a seat at the front, then a quick fix bench at the rear that can be replaced.

Thanks Paula

 

[Gordonmc]

You could do worse than a stackable chair a la school assembly hall. Plastic on steel legs. Seperate the seat from the legs and throw away the latter. Then mount the plastic bit on a wooden frame of the right hieght or on a piece of ply to fix to the floor.

 

[skipper681]

I realise this is a 13year old thread but I was doing a google search for rear seats for a speedboat and this came up, I just have to say the garden bench idea is a good one. Thanks guys, awesome advice as usual.

Regards
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