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?

[b0bbyg]

If you use Velcro could you just have small strips of spare Velcro to attach when the padding is off.  This would keep it fairly clean until you want the pad back on. Then just peel off again when you want to put the pads back on.  Might not work but would be better than having it exposed?

You could also have Velcro on the bottom of things you want fixed in the front during fishing season. Bucket, tackle box, small cooler with snacks,  kids   

[C-Money]

Could your wife throw a towel over one of these to lay on?

http://www.toysplash.com/76inflatablepoolmattress-tysraft-101589.html?utm_source=googlepepla&utm_medium=adwords&id={adwords_producttargetid}&utm_campaign=Product%20Listing%20Adds%20(Shopping)&utm_term=1100200094875&utm_content=Swimline%20Products

[White Pass Outfitters]

I had the same problem, but a lounge chair will fit up front.
And you will be able to tow a tube behind your jet.
My boat is only 18' and it works just fine.

[7mmfan]

My plan is to start with something like that and see if she accepts it, or if there is still pressure for attached cushions. In reality, I don't mind the idea of having the ability to turn that bow into a full cushioned area that I could sleep on if I choose to camp on the boat or something like that. Will also give kiddos a place to snooze down the road.

I also struggle with blow up stuff like that in a boat that runs 35 mph because you have to find a way to secure it, and I'm not blowing it up and deflating it 10 times during the day.

[7mmfan]

I had the same problem, but a lounge chair will fit up front.
And you will be able to tow a tube behind your jet.
My boat is only 18' and it works just fine.

I like that, I may have to show my wife that one so she knows its doable. She doesn't have the vision that we do!

I know the jet will tow a tuber just fine, I've been involved in the process before. I do like the idea of having the propped lower unit, especially if I end up pulling 2 or 3 at a time. A 200 Yamaha with a prop will get them up and going no problem.

[RadSav]

I would think any good upholstery shop should be able to make you vinyl cushions.

[C-Money]

As far as a tube goes, it dose not take a lot of ponies to pull a tube. We pull a decent size tube with ease and plenty of speed with a 50hp prop. A wake board is probably different...that's where it may take a little more power to get someone up out of the hole. Never tried it on my boat.

[7mmfan]

I agree with the wake board deal, and that's not really my end goal. Neither my wife or I are big into that, or any of our friends. Maybe a knee board here and there. Potentially our kids may want to at some point, but since they don't exist yet, I'm not planning anything around that.

[7mmfan]

I would think any good upholstery shop should be able to make you vinyl cushions.

Good call. I've never looked into this, didn't know where to start. I just looked up 3 different places in Marysville that do stuff like this, so I'm on the right track now. Thanks.

[deerlick]

can I watch when you whip that tube and get yanked off the tiller, tubing isn't much fun in a straight line

[7mmfan]

I've had my fair share of tiller work, about 500 days worth. I'm not worried about it.

[j_h_nimrod]

can I watch when you whip that tube and get yanked off the tiller, tubing isn't much fun in a straight line

Not sure why this would make a difference?  Inertial force is the same and on a 200hp engine there will have to be a steering dampener.

[bullfisher]

Skip the alumaweld and head straight to Wooldridge in Seattle. Built better, better V, runs shallower, lighter boat and better warranty. And they'll build it the way you want it, including cushons.

[7mmfan]

I have considered Wooldridges, I'm just having a hard time finding one my price range. I'm shopping used boats currently and there aren't many. I think that says a lot about the quality and that people don't often get ride of them.

[bullfisher]

I hear ya, you'd think they were weldin these things outta gold.
I'll never own another alumaweld. Its worth a trip to the wooldridge factory just to know what the difference is.