Alumaweld or other open sled seating question

[7mmfan]

I may be in the market for a 20' Super Vee, or equivalent in the near future. My wife and I have been going back and forth for a while and finally are meeting in the middle with a compromise. Her only two requirements for this boat are

1. It can tow a tuber/wake boarder
2. It has a cushioned bow so she can lay in the sun.

I've figured out the toy tower issue with an aftermarket tow bracket and swapping the jet out for a propped lower unit when we want to play. That's no issue.

What I'm struggling with is a custom cushion system for the front step deck. Has anyone done this? I can visualize how to do it, but I have no idea what this equates to $$$ wise, and how best to make them removable without damaging the connections. Velcro seems obvious, but that would get hammered in short order when the cushions aren't in. Snap on connections would be hardier, but I'm not sure how much.

This is the space I'm wanting to fill with vinyl covered cushions.

[WSU]

Any reason it has to be permanently connected and on the bow?  Seems like there would be plenty of room to lay on an air mattress or other pad with the seat boxes out of the way. 

[7mmfan]

Doesn't need to be permanant, in fact I don't want it to be. Trying to decide the best removable fastener options.

As far as other items to lay on, you and I know an air mattress or seat pads work , but you and I wouldn't be the ones lounging in the sun while I'm fishing.    These negotiations have been under way for a while, this is a requirement. 

[7mmfan]

I also suppose if I can get her in one and get her comfortable, even if it's just with a single person pad of some kind, I may be able to get away without a full bow cushion system. But I'd like ideas if they're available.

[j_h_nimrod]

Did I understand you plan on swapping lower units for each fishing vs playing?  I know it is not all that difficult to do but seems like a lot of inconvenience for roughly 20% gain in hp. It seems to me you would be money ahead spending the money you would spend on a second lower unit for a larger engine.

[7mmfan]

The lower unit would also be helpful when I take it in salt. I really only visualize the jet being on it in the winter thru June for the small rivers, then putting on the lower unit for Summer play/saltwater/Columbia fishing. It would be worth it for the fuel efficiency alone.

[Pnwrider]

Why not get two boats? That way you don't have to compromise. An i/o bow rider can be had for pretty cheap these days... after going through several boats, I finally learned. Now I have an 18' lund for hunting, fishing, crabbing, etc and a 23' Malibu Wakesetter for summer time fun (wakeboarding, surfing, chilling, etc). 

[deerlick]

I wouldn't pull a tube or wake board behind a tiller boat. It would surely take a prop to pull a wake boarder up but can't imagine whipping someone on a tube with a 6 degree bottom on that boat. Two boats is my recommendation.

[7mmfan]

Well 2 boats isn't an option at this point, fishing boat is the priororty, everything else is 2nd. I'll deal with the logistics of pulling tubers, etc...,

Does anyone have any input on what vinyl cushions cost to put together a custom size configuration like shown in the picture? Anyone tried anything like this?

[Bennick16]

I've wake boarded and tubed behind an old jetski and I'm 230lbs. I'm sure the jet could do it.

[Bennick16]

Although I suppose it's got to move a lot of boat too.

[RadSav]

I don't know about a cushioned platform, but I have shot carp off raised platforms that were held into place with large Velcro pads riveted into place.  They were rock solid!!  Only problem with them was it took three men and a horse to get the platform to peel loose.

[7mmfan]

I don't know about a cushioned platform, but I have shot carp off raised platforms that were held into place with large Velcro pads riveted into place.  They were rock solid!!  Only problem with them was it took three men and a horse to get the platform to peel loose.

That was kind of my first thought. Strategically placed velcro would hold it in place great, I just worry about the long durability of the velcro that's left on the bow when the cushions aren't in, like during winter steelhead and duck season.

[RadSav]

Guys boat I was on had the loop material on the deck and hook on the platform.  When we pulled the platform off he had oversized hook patches you put in place to keep the loop clean.

Had loop patches for the platform too.  So those didn't get damaged in storage.

I always thought if I built one myself I would recess in the deck so I could place an abs or stainless patch over the loop and still have it flush with the deck.  But that would require welding, trim and thread tap.

[7mmfan]

That's a better idea than I had for keeping them clean. I might look into that. The other option I was thinking was snaps, but those things get corroded over time and can be a real pain the butt.

Does anyone know any custom vinyl cushion makers?