Cockpit seating ideas

C

C-Trial

New member
Greetings, all...

I'm interested in comfortable cockpit seating while underway or while fishing. True, opne could pull up a cooler with a padded top, but what would be more interesting would be comfrortable padded seats with a back (you know, the fold down back variety--you see them at West Marine or Boaters World--usually in white or cream vinyl). In my dream these such seats mount on one side to a custom fabricated bracket that is bolted to fiberglass near the side pocket of the cockpit and the other side of the seat: choose one is (a) mounted to sky hooks that magically support the side nearest the cabin door [just a joke; I am not really sniffing Sta-bil], or (b) support the cabin door side of the seat with a bar that runs to the floor--probably back at an angle (think of the seat support in cross-section as being like the figure " 7 "). Imagine perching a cushy folding-backed boat seat on top of the " 7 ". Now afix the beginning point of the " 7 " to a detachable bracket on the side of the cockpit. Being detachable is important so that the seating can be stowed forward or removed from the boat altogether on days where cockpit seating is not necessary. I've seen factory installations in Bayliner cockpits that come to mind in 1999 era 2452's.

But I'll bet enterprising souls on this bulletin board have come up with all manner of great cockpit seating. Can you direct me to old threads or offer some guidance of how you solved this problem of cockpit seating for yourself.

Thanks!

John on C-Trial
 
We bought two aluminum framed MacAbee chairs at Costco in Cabo. They are very sturdy comfortable chairs. I like them better than the West Marine aluminum deck chair we've had for years. They fold into a smaller package. I bought two more at the Costco in Concord Ca. the other day. $14.99

Dennis
 
I thought this a particularly good idea for a padded cooler.

B0000AZ7MJ.01-AZ71P3AYYLDQO._PE33_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000AZ7MJ/002-0367551-0821633
 
Hi Chuck,
Here is some info on the boat seat picture shown above. The seat is manufactured by Garelick and can be found at garlick.com under marine products / boat seats item #48099. I was looking for a seat that could be stowed away when more room is needed for fishing/crabbing or when the weather is bad. This seat can be stowed under the stove cabinet and still leave room for my slide out storage racks. There are other pictures in Work Release's photo album. I bought the seat through Boaters world and they offer two versions Cat.# 166481101 with Gimbal $ 133.00 and one without Cat. # 166481093 $ 125.00 which I ordered. Let me know if you any questions.
Jim, Work Release
 
Thanks, I've seen photos of this seat before, just never realized it may fit in my lil cockpit.

I've downloaded your two detail photos for winter long reference.

-- Chuck
 
The folding Garelick seat seems like a great idea. However, might there be a way to mount it on the portside bulkhead of the cockpit rather than the starboard? The reason would be simply to balance the load with one person at the helm and one person sitting in the cockpit. Obviously the open cabin door gets in the way, but perhaps one could pop rivet another door hook to the side of the seat to hold the door firmly in a partially open position? Also, what is the purpose of the optional gimbal offered with this seat; no description is provided?
Al
 
Gathering ideas for my future boat...
Any thoughts on putting a bench seat IN the motorwell? I've thought about it and if it wouldn't be too high, and if the back were removable to make room for engine-up, it could be a good use of space. Possibly a bit of storage under, and would be an "anti-pooping device". Too crazy? Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
 
In my opinion, Work Release's idea is the best. As a post script, I installed one each of the Garelick seats on the port and starboard side of the cabin bulkhead. Mostly they remain in place, but are easily removable, and actually offer an intermediate step-down from the gunwale onto the cockpit floor. The portside seat was fitted with a hook to keep the door at a respectable distance when open. Check out the photos in the MOOSE album. I think it is one of the best modifications we made for the space that they consume.
Al
 
I like the looks of those jump seats that fold down but couldn't justify it for my boat. My pals (all four of them) like the cheap folding chairs. Plus most of those chairs provide a place to put your favorite Wisconsin drink. :wink: Its also nice to have folding chairs with when you want to spend time on the beach. So they are dual purpose for me.

Chris
 
When it comes to outfitting a boat, everyone has his or her needs and they will never be the same as the other guys. There is no right or wrong to it, just different depending on how you wish to use your boat. I have always researched these and other files to see what others have done and tried to pick all the best ideas from the thousands I have seen that will do the job for me. In this case I was looking to put a cockpit table since I have an 22 Angler and two pedestal seat forward I was short a place to set back an enjoy a nice lunch on the "Papillon" until I found the Side Gunwale Utility Seat shown above. The old light bulb went off and the picture below shows the result of removing the padded seat and adding a table top. I also needed to make an adjustment in the legs so I use bimi top rail mounts with the set screw so I could keep the outfit in perfect pitch and later if I decide I want to use the frame for a seat again, it will all go back together with no damage. Check my photo album for additional pictures of more seating on the Angler.

Cockpit_Table.sized.jpg
 
Al's seating on the Moose is about as good as it gets - choices to sit port or starboard. On my first c-dory I chose a different system for seating - a boarding plank of wood with foam core that straddled the side pockets. Use it as a bench seat, or as a narrow but long table. 3-M self adhesive patches stuck to top side makes for non slip walking. Store it on the roof top (either side) by bungee cords to get it out of the cockpit. Very handy for getting on shore. Hang off bow, side, or aft cleats. When it gets muddy, drop it overboard and scrub the mud off with a plain old bristle brush stored in pocket. Inexpensive to make (unless you use real teak veneer ) and quite useful.

Yellowstone
 
OK, this is probably a really stupid question, but remember my frame of reference (I'm a sailor-boy and our CD-25 on order will be our first powerboat). Sailboats always have seating all around the cockpit; great storage under, as well. You don't see this on powerboats. Why not? Now, I realize that it would be in the way for fishing, but what about the many folks here who just cruise? Wouldn't seating around the sides of the cockpit be advantageous for cruiser-folk?

I appreciate the use of camp chairs (on and off the boat); just wondering why no permanent bench-type seating? I will be quiet now so my "education" can continue. Thanks in advance for your response.

Best wishes,
Jim & Joan
 
Jim-

Darn good question, and one I've never thought about before!

I think you're right about the need in fishing to be able to walk right up to the gunnels as being the major factor in ruling out side cockpoit seats in powerboats.

Sailboats because of their narrower nature, the need to sit away from the spray landing forward in heavy weather, and the typical forward trunk / cabin placement all lead themselves toward placing cockpit seating on the sides.

The stern differences between the two boats also enters into the equation.

On a sailboat, the back end of the cockpit has need to incorporate the tiller or wheel and room to operate it, but the area around it can easily be turned into bench seating.

On a powerboat, at least with an outboard, besides the fishing access issue, there's need to be able to get to the motor(s), controls, and things like gas tanks and batteries which are placed in the strern.

Moreover. there's a need in a fishing boat to have a live well, bait cutting board and rigging area, and finally rod storage area in the front, and room on the floor to place netted fish, etc. Looks like we need a large, flat, open area here!


But that doesn't mean you can't have those bench seats in at least the sides of the cockpit in your powerboat if they fit with your plans.

They could be enclosed and permanent like a sailboat, but I would make them fairly easily removable so that when I later decided to change boats the boat would still be easily converted to full fishing use.

Joe.
 
JamesTXSD":1j4inw9e said:
Sailboats always have seating all around the cockpit; great storage under, as well. You don't see this on powerboats. Why not?
Click to expand...

It's the BS factor, James. Folks like to sit around the helm and tell sea stories while critiquing the skipper underway. :lol: Power boats have plenty of seating around the helm and so do the blow boats. Plus the helmsman would be a lonely guy/gal in a C-Dory if everybody else sat around the stern.

There's probably a more reasonable answer but that's my take. :wink


Don
 
<<It's the BS factor, James. Folks like to sit around the helm and tell sea stories while critiquing the skipper underway.>>

We spent the day on our small sailboat today, a 17.5' catboat. Even that boat has room to stretch out in the cockpit. I'm not one to make major changes to an outstanding design (like the C-Dory) - we are anxious to see how we will use the CD-25 and see what works for us. When I opened the lazarette to pull out the fenders as we got close to home today, I looked at all that great storage space... PFDs, boat hook, third anchor, paddle, dock lines, can-o-pee (yeah), etc, etc. Out of sight and out of the weather. With closed cell foam cushions, it is downright cushy on those seats (room to lay down, forward/aft and athwartships)... makes me think.

Best wishes,
Jim & Joan
 
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