Swaz Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Wondering if tinny seats provide structural integrity to the boat. i.e if I remove the middle one of the three I may/ will weaken things. Haven't got the boat yet, musing about putting in the cliche deck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest123456789 Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Have you got a photo? The bench seat itself is normally positioned between two ribs which provides most of the strength. Often the seats have foam which if you remove might make the hull negatively buoyant (ie it will sink not float if overturned). Which can mean the boat is not legal and your insurance won’t cover you in the event of an accident (aside from the risk of harm to you and your passengers). If there is no foam in the seat you might be ok to remove it if though it might be worthwhile to add a rib with a metal fabricator. Personally I wouldn’t do it as it’s pretty risky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelm Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 If it has wide gunnels you can usually remove a seat, but, it can remove foam too as mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swaz Posted January 5, 2021 Author Share Posted January 5, 2021 Thanks for the replies. I will post some photos tomorrow when I pick it up. It's a 1960's era Clark 12". My dad and his best mates boat from their youth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest123456789 Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Good stuff Swaz. Definitely fish in it a few times before doing anything major as you might find it’s ok as is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swaz Posted January 5, 2021 Author Share Posted January 5, 2021 8 hours ago, flatheadluke said: Good stuff Swaz. Definitely fish in it a few times before doing anything major as you might find it’s ok as is. Good advice and funny you say that. I had already planned mods for it and then was told it had some swivel seats, rod holders etc already there. the motor is 20 years old but comes with a full service history and detailed log book of every trip it has ever been on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swaz Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 (edited) They are full of foam, so I am assuming they have to stay. Edited January 7, 2021 by mrsswordfisherman no links to pics add directly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest123456789 Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 I’d leave it mate you’ll work out how to fish around it. You could make a cool casting platform and use the void as storage if you’re a lure fisherman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelm Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 No wide gunnels, those seats are part of the boats structure, leave them in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swaz Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 1 hour ago, noelm said: No wide gunnels, those seats are part of the boats structure, leave them in. So that's why newer boats have wide gunwales. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelm Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 Some boats have both, wide gunnels are an option on some boats and standard on others, but without the seats, that boat will be very flimsy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swaz Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 1 hour ago, noelm said: Some boats have both, wide gunnels are an option on some boats and standard on others, but without the seats, that boat will be very flimsy. I will just have to work around them then Would cutting into the side of them to install storage not weaken things and remove emergency buoyancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 I thought @frankS put some side rod storage into his brooker when he was doing some mods?? If it wasnt franks it was someone else but I did see someone on here do it. What is it you want to store?? Personally I would be touching the seat, if I was to put in storage I think I would be using from the front seat into the bow area. The other option would be to put in a false bottom deck & then build some storage on either side. Remembering of course the weight distribution whould need to be pretty ever. This ia a picture off the net. I made 2 decks in my old Quintrex becase I wanted a better casting platform, they are removable, I could make some storage compartments for the sides like or the same thing in the deck in front but to me I would rather have the freedom to move things around Pretty much the only thing I really want to put in is some rod holders. I do intend to do what I was suggesting earlier & put in a hatch storage area from the front of the front seat into the bow. Also you need to remember if you are going to make a perminant floor you would need to fit a bilge pump as well. Good luck with it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swaz Posted January 7, 2021 Author Share Posted January 7, 2021 2 hours ago, kingie chaser said: I Also you need to remember if you are going to make a perminant floor you would need to fit a bilge pump as well. In the interests of keeping things simple, I think I will leave it how it is for a while. A false floor would be great for comfort, but putting in a bilge pump, battery etc instead of getting out on the water and enjoying it doesn't seem logical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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