Seat frame material??

[Hallz]

I am going to start on my building the frames for my seats this weekend. I was wondering what material did you guys use and size. I was recommended to use Tuff Tread or Skid Guard buy one of the local boat shops around here, but it's only stocked in 5/8" and is $150 a 4x8 sheet. They said marine ply is not that much cheaper once you coat it and everything. As for thickness I was thinking 1/2" may be strong enough for the bottom and sides with 3/4 or 5/8 for the frame.
Just looking for some feedback. Looking to build it to seat 6 (at most) 2 front and 4 back (2 each side)
Thanks guys

[Heatseeker]

Here's what I came up with:
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/3663new_frames1-med.jpg http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/3663new_frames-med.jpg
I used 1/2" exterior grade plywood. All joints were glued with Nail It adhesive and stapled(industrial staple gunned) together. To make the bends on the foward seat backs, I cut 3/16" deep vertical slots and bent them around the guide pieces on the bottom. I also reinforced the foward seat backs with fiberglass. I used a router to radius all the edges. After they were done, just before upholstery, I sealed them with Thompson's water seal. I put four applications on them.
The original seat were the same material, nail gunned together(no glue) also. They held up for almost 25 years.
Here's what they look like now:
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/3663interior-med.jpg
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/3663interior1-med.jpg
They seem to be holding up well.

[Hallz]

I just might!
The weight of the Tuff Tread unreal & I have enough 1/2 & 3/8" ply to do the boat 2-3 times. Not to mention GP 1 to 1 glass epoxy resin is not expensive at all.
Thanks Guys!

[Jeanyus]

John nice looking seats, Sorry I missed you at Redbluff, I just could not make it happen.
I did the exterior plywood also. Outdoor glue,staples,and varnished them.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/5859seats-med.jpg
They turned out good, and the last set lasted 20 years. This boat will be sold long before the seats go bad. And I didn't sink a fortune into them. I don't have a heart attack if a little mud or grease gets on them.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/2/5859boat2.jpg
Next time I will look into the fiberglass shells.
http://www.cpperformance.com/detail.aspx?ID=4364

[Hemicbx]

I did mine over the winter with marine plywood then resin coated it. Probably overkill, but I'm comfy with it. Like oters have said, the originals were 20 years old. My new ones will outlast me. I'm sure the original builders didn't take the same care that us owners are taking now.
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/521/1341DSC00171.JPG
I used 2x2 corner blocks. All corners have the blocks and are glued & thru bolted then encapulated in glass.
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/521/1341DSC00172.JPG
Finished
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/521/1341kachina_0089.JPG

[Hallz]

Going to buy a new Air stapler tday and start on the frames. I found a locak guy that said he would do it for around 1000-1200 and less if I wanted to buid the frames (and I do) I'll have to check out his work of course but I dont think I can beat the price as long as it's good work.
We will see,
Hemicbx, I have been using your pic's as a refrence for a few days. Looks good!

[victorfb]

aluminum... ok, so im differant. :shift:

[bottom feeder]

aluminum... ok, so im differant. :shift:
I second that.
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/1501BACK_.JPG

[Hallz]

Hummm.... I could probaly get enough from recycling all that aluminum to do the int. & paint on mine!
;)

[moneysucker]

I use exterior grade ply and screw it all together then glass and resin the joints and resin the rest of the wood. These seats will outlast the fabric on them so you will want to upgrade the seat style by then anyways.

[Hemicbx]

Through many PM's & emails, Moneysucker taught me everything I know about seat frame building :)

[Aluminum Squirt]

Hey bottom feeder, I may have asked you before but which Kirkey seats are those? Their website shows many different versions and I'm not sure which ones are best. The racetech's are a bit too expensive for me. Do they accomadate a lifeline pretty well? I see they've got some different hip width's which may be helpful. My navigator and I aren't exactly small people. Any help would be appreciated-Aluminum Squirt

[bottom feeder]

Aluminum Squirt. The seats I have in the boat are the pro drag models. I like the way they sit better than the oval track seats. I add the rib and head supports for the races, and remove them for lake and river use. I am a bit on the big side and went with the 17 Inch wide units. You can use the bolt on supports to tighten them up if needed.

[909]

Do any of you guys making your seat frames have some dimensions? I'm going to do the same but i'm looking for some info to turn my sideways rear seating into a forward facing "cocktail" type seat. I don't have any clue on how to set this up. The fronts I can figure out from the frames I have left. I also don't have any cushions to go by. How far should the cushon wood be from the rest of the frame? Also, who is doing your upholstery once the frames are finished? What was the cost??
Thanks!

[carbonfiber50]

Do any of you guys making your seat frames have some dimensions? I'm going to do the same but i'm looking for some info to turn my sideways rear seating into a forward facing "cocktail" type seat. I don't have any clue on how to set this up. The fronts I can figure out from the frames I have left. I also don't have any cushions to go by. How far should the cushon wood be from the rest of the frame? Also, who is doing your upholstery once the frames are finished? What was the cost??
Thanks!
I am looking to do the exact same thing on my 78 hondo. Any help would be appreciated.

[berk]

remember boats get wet and boats with full covers fester in their own moisture. i wouldnt use wood but if you must make it marine and save the next owner the hassle of a rebuild. also consider that if epoxy is used to encapsulate the entire surface you will have cut the life span in half or less by creating a moisture trapping barrier in between the epoxy shell. if it were me i would only use epoxy on one side for this reason. think about how many classic boats are still around with origional wood hulls and they are 70+ years old, this would never happen if epoxy was used in their consrtuction.