2007 150 Sport: Remove Bench Seat

[bjh517]

How can the bench seat on a 2007 150 SPORT be removed? It appears to be held in place with some adhesive goop. I don't see any screws or fasteners anywhere

Backstory: my wife and I are getting older and [on the 2007 150 SPORT] the current bench seat with the built in six-inch backrests are just too uncomfortable. Because of the backrests, there is not enough room to put a bucket seat with a clamp on bracket.

Our old Boston Whaler boat had the mahogany bench seats that would accommodate clamp on buckets without a problem. I don't want to hack up the original seat, so I'm thinking of removing it and building an old fashioned bench that we could bolt some seats with more comfort and higher backrests for support.

Also, suggest any other [improvements to the seating comfort on a c2007 150 SPORT].

Thanks.

[Phil T]

Review Sheet #2 of the "Hull Cutouts & Outfit" drawing from Boston Whaler Owner Resources section of the Boston Whaler website for the 2007 150 Sport, link to download is below.

Play close attention to the Notes, labeled "U" and "H"

http://bostonwhaler.com.s3.amazonaws.com/resources/150-Sport-Hull-Cutouts-and-Outfit-Assembly-and-Parts-List-2007.pdf

Review Sheet #1 of the Bench Seat Sub-Assy drawing. Link to dowload below.
http://bostonwhaler.com.s3.amazonaws.com/resources/150-Sport-Bench-Seat-Sub-Assembly-and-Parts-List-2007.pdf

[jimh]

I think Phil wants to direct attention to the comment in the drawing that notes:

"Bench seats glued into position using methacrylate adhesive."

More about methacrylate adhesive at:

A Starter Guide to Methyl Methacrylate Adhesives MMAs
https://www.gluegun.com/blogs/adhesive- ... sives-mmas

[biggiefl]

I doubt you will be able to remove that seat without considerable damage to the gelcoat from the adhesive. Your best bet would probably be to take it to a fiberglass shop that will grind off the 6" humps and glass/gel it too like new again but flush.

[bjh517]

Thanks for all your input.

[Removing the seat on the 2007 150 SPORT] is much more a job than I thought it would be. I miss the old wooden plank seats. I'll take [the boat] to my local shop and see what they can do.

[jimh]

I suggest you contact Boston Whaler customer support. Ask them if there is a method to remove the seat. With modern adhesive that are very strong, there may be a chemical agent that will soften the adhesive bond and permit separating the seat from the hull with minimal or no damage to the hull. These chemical agents are specific to each adhesive.

[Phil T]

I would try a drywall compound knife. It has a handle, sharp corners to dig into the adhesive and is stiff so you can hit it with a hammer.

knife.jpg (48.21 KiB) Viewed 4018 times

[wldrns1]

I was able to remove the bench seat.

[OWTB15]

I plan to switch to bucket seats too. I just ordered a pair of bucket seats but didn't factor in the adhesive, though I am not sure what to use as a replacement bench (eg, marine ply, teak boards) or just saw off the backrests and try to make it pretty. Any and all advice greatly appreciated.

[ollie366]

From Permabond- manufacturer of methacrylate adhesives: Cured acrylic adhesive is much harder to remove and may require harsher solvents such as acetone or even methylene chloride.
Methylene chloride was used in paint strippers but phased out. Perhaps you have some old cans sitting on a shelf. Acetone can be bought at Home Depot. It will be difficult to get it in between the seat and support, but perhaps a spray or use of a plastic syringe might work. It will probably take a few applications but it might be softened enough so that the tool Phil mentioned would work more easily.