Does my seat need to be fixed to the deck?

[Samurai_Dave]

Evening,

I've fitted a new floor into the cockpit of my 535 lookalike. I've managed to obtain a rubber backed carpet topped mat to give me a non-slip, water absorbing, removable surface to walk on.

The only snag in my cunning plan is that I need to mount my two pedestal seats. The metal "doughtnuts" were previously bolted to the floor but created a trip hazard when the seats were removed. I'm keen to keep the floor area as clear as possible and I don't want to have to cut holes in the rug.

Is it feasible/sensible to create an 18" diameter disc of ply and put the stool mount in the middle of that so I can completely remove the seat when its not in use? I dont plan on belting along at 20 knots in high seas so will I stay in my seat (and my seat stay in the boat) under normal cruising conditions?

Your thoughts please gentlemen/ladies.

Thanks for all the advice form this site, as a boating virgin I'd be stuck without it!

P.S. Happy Christmas!

 

[ostell]

You said you don't want to cut holes in the rug but I don't think it would be possible without that. Would one of these flush bases help? I have them two of them in the cabin but only using one, with the other filled with a plug. The plug can easily be removed to fit the larger table in.

 

[trapezeartist]

I'm not sure what a "535 lookalike" is (53.5 feet long, with a carpetted cockpit?) but in my experience anything on a boat that isn't firmly fixed down is going to make a bid for freedom at the most inopportune time. Those flush bases look like a pretty handy solution to me.

 

[rob2]

If you're cruising the canals, then fine - a bar stool would be fine, but if you're going anywhere it could get choppy then a secure mount is essential.

Rob.

P.S. a "535" is a 18ft Shetland I believe.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Certainly the seats in the BMW 535 are fixed.

 

[fireball]

If you're cruising the canals, then fine - a bar stool would be fine, but if you're going anywhere it could get choppy then a secure mount is essential.

Rob.

P.S. a "535" is a 18ft Shetland I believe.

Having cruised canals in a 35'er I agree - a barstool is just fine ... but I wouldn't go around the harbour on one - let alone out to sea - even on a flat calm day ... cos you get mobos that'll plane past and cause untold wash ...

If you're going out to sea it needs to be fastened down ... really ...

 

[William_H]

Seats ina boat

yes give those stools/seats all the support you can. A body perched on top can load a stool base horribly even in flat water. olewill

 

[SHUG]

Why not use Tappex inserts which would be completely flush when the stools are not bolted down. http://www.tappex.co.uk/