Need ideas for rear bench seat options

[KRB64]

This is for the '82 DA. The rear bench on this model is not attached to the transom, it is just anchored to the floor with 2 hooks.

Our vinyl has split, been repaired and split again. If we recover it won't match the rest of the original and we can't afford to do the whole cockpit.

Bench cons: To enter by stepping over the transom you have to stand on the bench (hence the split). Sits too low to store fenders underneath, only lines, etc. Back/side "L" cushions just sit on bench. Big & bulky to move/flip bench & cushions when accessing engine compartment. (I built 4" blocks that it sits on now so fenders and cases of water, etc will slide under. This puts the top of the back/side cusions flush with the teak railing).

Bench Pros: Nice to have a bench that sits 3 or to lay out on.

I've seen some go to deck chairs, some go pontoon bench. I'm torn. I like the newer models (after '83?) that swing from the transom but I'm not ready for that yet.

Those that use deck chairs - do you like them? What brand/kind? Do they mar the deck?

Any other unique ideas?

Thanks

 

[CAGE RATTLER]

A big giant cooler with a cushion top.

Holds plenty of beer or fish or whatever.

 

[sappington]

go to pontoon boat stuff.com I bought a 36" bench seat that the seat folds up for storage its light wieght and easy to move around I spent 200 dollars but there are higher priced ones ,they come in multable colors mine is blue and dark blue,matches close enough to look good

 

[sbw1]

Google "Kettler Resin Furniture." The company makes a heavy (dosn't move around when crusing) 16 position Folding Deck chair in various colors that look like they belong on a boat. Ours sit out in the elements much of the summer when we cruise and we just hose them off to keep them looking like new. We also have a table made from the same material for food and drinks. People are always asking us where we bought them. (Harbor Springs, MI has a store that sells them). You can also buy them online. They are pricey but hold up well and are very comfortable to sit in.

 

[andyr]

Pontoon seats. A left corner L and a right corner L. Put together makes a big L. Large enough to sit with your feet up. Fits the width of a 30' perfectly. Can rearrange to face stern, each other etc. I store the outboard in one. Make sure to get the plastic bases. I like the B&M ones. No real problems with them sliding underway. Deck chairs will bounce all over in a 30' Sundancer. Have to fold them up and put away but where?

 

[Zklink5150]

I removed my bench seat as well and missed the seating in the worst way. Ive envisioned a modified version of the original seat that would eliminate the split. I haven't done it yet, but I think it would work.

Option 1. A bench seat that stretches all the way across made of teak on the bottom, with a cushion custom made to flip over kind of like a flip top cooler or gullwings if you will... so that when stepping on the bench, you would flip it over so that you'd step on the teak. The cushion could be connected to the teak by snaps or something more clever, for easy removal for cleaning, or oiling the teak. The cushion on the back would be removable as well, in my mind, it seems like it would be too thick to fold up. If removeable, you could stow it below. Doesn't really solve the storage issue, I know, but option 2 is a step in that direction.

Option 2. I saw this on an old sea Ray passing through 2 years ago and I though it was very slick. The gentleman built a one piece bench with a closed in bottom for storage. Flip up the bottom cushion for access. I noticed the bench in his boat and couldn't help to ask how he would access his engine compartment. Here comes the slick part...he put an oversized piano hinge on the top of the bench enabling it to lift up out of the way, on the back of the bench he cut notches that held the engine compartment door to keep the two locked in place while in the compartment.

Just my thoughts-

good luck

 

[tobnpr]

I pulled the bench seat as soon as I bought the boat. Gets in the way of fishin'...

Added: a couple of folding stainless steel chairs, and marine bean-bags.

 

[CoralReefer]

I had a bench on my 260 and it was nice but you do sacrifice deck space. I found us using the fold down, rear facing seats on the helm more than the bench. Plus it made it that much harder to access the bilge. I'd go with the folding chairs and enjoy more room and layout flexibility.

 

[jarhead]

Send 83searay a pm. He copied my rear fold up seat for his 260 and it turned out great.

 

[KRB64]

Decisions, decisions...

The Kettle chairs are nice - but pricey!

I like the marine bean bag idea. Still big & bulky with no storage options but nice.

Zklink5150 - don't suppose you got any pics of that fellows set up did you?

Jarhead - I'll check with 83searay and see. Sea Ray changed the design in 83 and I think the rear bench went from a stand a lone deal to an attached to the transom deal but I may be confusing that with the wider beam models.

Not sure what I'll do. maybe try the bean bags http://www.ocean-tamer.com/ and If I miss the storage or bench seating I can start looking at bench mod ideas...

Thanks guys for all your ideas.

 

[Daddubo]

I took my seat out not much good for adults. I got a couple of these off craigs list nice comfortable chairs.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=10118&subdeptNum=10822&classNum=10828

 

[tobnpr]

FWIW, I bought mine from E-SeaRider:
http://www.e-searider.com/

I know what you mean about the size/storage problem. They do take up a lot of space in the cabin when not being used.

 

[Daddubo]

This what I ended up doing it works out pretty good.:thumbsup:

 

[andyr]

I put in B&M L section pontoon lounge seats. about 48 in long with an L. VERY comfortable. light, plastic base with storage just right for my outboard. Put two L or an L and a straight for some creative layouts. You can stretch out on them too.

 

[Rick K]

Would love to get rid of my bench seat in my '81 245. It's as straight as a church pew and not very comfortable. The P.O. redid it and it's new, so the Admiral doesn't want to see it go. If I could kick the bottom out 6", at least there'd be a bit of an angle to sit back. I think the deck chairs are great, and if you have to, you can strap 'em to the outside on the swim platform in a pinch if needed.

 

[MonacoMike]

Smitty's Marine in Indianapolis will repair and rebuild seats etc. They just rebuilt many of my cushions for my 1985 Sea Ray Monaco. They are recommended by many Indy boat dealers.
It was a game this season to ask visitors which seats were 25 years old and which were just redone, they were able to match the material and styling Sea Ray had created. As a further note it was not a simple upholstery style as my cushions had a bunched pattern at each end.

MM


Smitty's Indianapolis Marine
4979 Massachusetts Ave.
Indianapolis, IN
317-545-4646

 

[Old Vet]

This is what my wife and I built for one of our clients for his 1979 250. He was very pleased with it.

 

[KRB64]

Well we spent a couple weekends on the boat using deck chairs and for our lifestyle we decided that we miss the bench. So back it goes.

Last year I added about 4" to the height which allowed us to stow stuff underneath which helps a lot. IUnfortunately the transom isn't built like the wider or newer boats so it can't fold up when not in use.

Thanks for all your ideas and comments.

 

[Old Vet]

As you can in my pics, the one I built folds down out of the way so the owner can access his engine compartment.

Any way you can modify yours to do the same?

Just a thought.

Good luck.

 

[KRB64]

It was ideas like that that I was looking for but the transoms are completely different on pre 1983s. The transom glass extends up over the engine hatch in the rear so that wouldn't work. And it's low with the railing back there too so folding it up doesn't work either. That may be why they re-designed that area for '83.