removal of middle seat

[low97ram]

ok...i think this has been talked about before but i can't seem to find it or i'm just too lazy to look (maybe the latter).

have a 14' gamefisher that i cut out the center seat today  for more room.   looking for ideas as to how to help with stabilization of side walls. Gasman and I have a few already but we're looking to minimize the amount of weight added yet maintain some semblence of stability.

also looking for ideas for adding storage to sides.

thanks all
Pete

[lokidog]

Any kind of a 'C' or 'U' channel or I-beam type thing the length of the side should work.  This might be able to be incorporated into a bin or something.

[bloodhound]

i would make the storage boxes kinda stout in design along each side, they should sturdy the walls. marine grade plywood from the floor up to 3/4in shy of the seat top in from the back seat to the front seat, then make a door on top hinged to open. use some aluminum square tube for the gunnel side to mount  the hinges to and add strength. 

[Huntbear]

If you do a google search of "Electric Bass Boat Builds"  should bring up a ton of info for you.... Those southern boys love to bass fish, and if the lake is electric only, they build a bass boat out of any jon boat they can find and power 3 or 4 electric motors with up to 10 deep cycle batteries.... oh yea, the craziness.... 

Oh, and there are fishing clubs entirely devoted to fishing electric only lakes, and they have 10-12 tournaments a summer....   High Voltage Bass Anglers was one such club.... 

http://www.highvoltagebassanglers.com/

[low97ram]

   thanks guys.  i've found a lot of good ideas.  but just when i think i know what i'm doing....i change my mind and do something else.

thanks again...maybe i'll finish before duck season..lol   

[AWS]

Duck hunting rig I built. I did leave the seat in though.  Lots of storage.

[oldcamper]

AWS that's a sweet setup.   

[Heredoggydoggy]

The boat looks to have quite a few ribs, but removing the seat structure weakened the design.  I would build in some boxes on each side for storage, but add a couple more "ribs" incorporated into the ends of the boxes to replace the lost stiffness to the hull.  Some welded square tubing would probably work, and not interfere with the walk-through area.