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Storage out of flat bottom bench seat?
Posted on 9/11/17 at 9:30 am
Posted on 9/11/17 at 9:30 am
I have a 1440 alweld with an open floor other than the rear bench. I'd like to open that bench up to keep life jackets, tool box and battery in it.
Any suggestions on how to do this? I've got a decent amount of leftover plywood and 2x4s.
Should it be done from the side or the top of the bench?
Mostly I am having trouble picturing what to do with the inside edges of the lid and the female part of the box if you will (very low hanging fruit). 2x4s along the edge of the lid?
Any suggestions on how to do this? I've got a decent amount of leftover plywood and 2x4s.
Should it be done from the side or the top of the bench?
Mostly I am having trouble picturing what to do with the inside edges of the lid and the female part of the box if you will (very low hanging fruit). 2x4s along the edge of the lid?
Posted on 9/11/17 at 9:54 am to cbiscuit
I was thinking about doing this as I have almost the exact same type of boat. I was considering cutting an oval in the front of the rear bench, then finishing the edge with some kinda of rubber molding so it won't be a sharp edge. And lust leave it open like you see some aluminum boats have in their front deck.
But, then I read somewhere that there is probably foam inside the bench that would have to be removed in order to use it for storage.
So I kinda just forgot about the idea.
But, then I read somewhere that there is probably foam inside the bench that would have to be removed in order to use it for storage.
So I kinda just forgot about the idea.
Posted on 9/11/17 at 10:19 am to Homey the Clown
Mine has foam too to prevent it from going to the bottom when sinking.
I'm ok with removing that.
I like your idea of leaving it open. I'd be ok with life jackets getting wet. My little tool box will stay dry and the battery is in a box. Wonder if something like flex seal could create that rubberish edge?
I'm ok with removing that.
I like your idea of leaving it open. I'd be ok with life jackets getting wet. My little tool box will stay dry and the battery is in a box. Wonder if something like flex seal could create that rubberish edge?
Posted on 9/11/17 at 10:21 am to cbiscuit
Posted on 9/11/17 at 10:40 am to Homey the Clown
The foam also adds some weight for smoother operation as well as a damper for rattling. I'd gladly give up some storage area not to have a rattle trap boat
Posted on 9/11/17 at 10:48 am to cbiscuit
Tinboats.net has a lot of threads with people doing this exact thing.
Things to keep in mind are that the cross benches are structural in smaller jon boats. You're going to want to reinforce it with something if you're cutting into it. You can use aluminum angle and pop rivets, and it will come out nice if you take your time. Cheap(ish) and you can cut it with wood saws. I would frame the hole with angle and then mount hinges to that.
Removing the foam can be messy but again there will be pics showing you what people have encountered and how they dealt with it. Remember that the foam is in there for a reason and removing it will make your boat less buoyant if shite should hit the fan, and technically you could get a ticket from the coast guard but they aren't really in the habit of boarding 14ft flats.
Things to keep in mind are that the cross benches are structural in smaller jon boats. You're going to want to reinforce it with something if you're cutting into it. You can use aluminum angle and pop rivets, and it will come out nice if you take your time. Cheap(ish) and you can cut it with wood saws. I would frame the hole with angle and then mount hinges to that.
Removing the foam can be messy but again there will be pics showing you what people have encountered and how they dealt with it. Remember that the foam is in there for a reason and removing it will make your boat less buoyant if shite should hit the fan, and technically you could get a ticket from the coast guard but they aren't really in the habit of boarding 14ft flats.
Posted on 9/11/17 at 10:52 am to TheDrunkenTigah
quote:
cross benches are structural in smaller jon boats. You're going to want to reinforce it with something if you're cutting into it
This is one of the reasons i havent made a move yet. I'll probably just leave it as is. One of those "it was built that way for a reason" things....
Posted on 9/11/17 at 11:08 am to Homey the Clown
It's not the end of the world to cut it, but it's a really good idea to frame it with something to prevent stress on welds elsewhere. Like I said a few lengths of angle and some pop rivets will make it come out professional looking. This is the closest I could find to an example of how I would do it, frame the hole with the angle, cut it to 45s at each corner, and then pop rivet the angle all around. It will be just as sturdy as the original sheet, then you can add a plywood lid or really any kind of hatch you want.
This post was edited on 9/11/17 at 11:10 am
Posted on 9/11/17 at 11:14 am to TheDrunkenTigah
That is a nice job, but my opening would be on the front of the bench, and about 24" long, and maybe half the height of the bench, centered in the front of the bench. I dont know how much structural integrity would be sacrificed in doing what im picturing.
Like this one has in the front deck: LINK
Like this one has in the front deck: LINK
Posted on 9/11/17 at 11:19 am to Homey the Clown
I think you'd be fine as long as it was on the face and not the top. The top is what's gonna act like a rib when the hull flexes.
Posted on 9/11/17 at 11:29 am to shawnlsu
I have a long tail so I don't think that dry foam is impacting the ride.
Posted on 9/11/17 at 11:30 am to TheDrunkenTigah
Nice ideas with the angle iron.
If one did that, could you explain how you would do the lid? Reinforce the cut out piece with plywood or something?
If one did that, could you explain how you would do the lid? Reinforce the cut out piece with plywood or something?
Posted on 9/11/17 at 11:40 am to cbiscuit
They had a thread a while back on this same thing. I put all my build info where I built a storage on the front. I didn't want to take that much foam out of the back for the reason of structural support and sound. It added some weight to the front which helped with porpoiseing with the 40 I got. I will try and find that thread
Posted on 9/11/17 at 12:36 pm to cbiscuit
quote:
If one did that, could you explain how you would do the lid? Reinforce the cut out piece with plywood or something?
I would either shop around for an aftermarket hatch like this:
Or I would just mount plywood on hinges with a little overlap. Depending on how much you want to spend, the nicer metal hatches you wouldn't even need to frame since they're gonna be sturdy.
Posted on 9/11/17 at 1:37 pm to cbiscuit
Posted on 9/11/17 at 2:22 pm to headedwest21
Nice. Could you put up more pics of it if you have some? Any of it open?
Posted on 9/11/17 at 2:37 pm to cbiscuit
Hatch Lids Site I think you'll find what your looking for here.
ETA: Pic
ETA: Pic
This post was edited on 9/11/17 at 2:38 pm
Posted on 9/11/17 at 2:42 pm to headedwest21
Thats much more work than I want to do I was just gonna cut a hole in the front of the bench, remove the foam, and put a rubber molding around the edge.
Posted on 9/11/17 at 2:57 pm to Homey the Clown
I hear ya. At least put a door on it. First time you reached in there during the summer your hand would get lit up by wasp. Know well from experience.
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