Raising the Stock Seats on Classic Sport 15

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
PJMSport15MY1984
Posts: 40
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2015 2:20 pm
Location: Marysville, WA

Raising the Stock Seats on Classic Sport 15

Postby PJMSport15MY1984 » Mon Apr 11, 2016 3:57 pm

Hello Fellow Whaler Junkies--has anybody taken the stock seating planks on a classic SPORT 15, and raised them to a more ergonomically friendlier position? Please let me know how much more comfortable the seating was.

RevRun
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:38 am

Re: Raising the Stock Seats on Classic Sport 15

Postby RevRun » Mon Apr 11, 2016 7:08 pm

I will be putting the rear seat on top of the side planks in my 13' in the next few weeks. To get a feel for it just take out the front seat and lay it across the span on top of the existing rear seat. If it still feels low, put some spacers in until you get it the way you want it

goldstem
Posts: 64
Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2015 12:57 pm

Re: Raising the Stock Seats on Classic Sport 15

Postby goldstem » Tue Apr 12, 2016 2:26 pm

I did this on two 13's. (which are about the same height as the 15). noticeable improvement.

jimh
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Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: Raising the Stock Seats on Classic Sport 15

Postby jimh » Tue Apr 12, 2016 3:43 pm

Just about every classic SPORT 15 has had some modification to the original thwart seats. They were very uncomfortable.

Tom C
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2015 12:41 pm

Re: Raising the Stock Seats on Classic Sport 15

Postby Tom C » Sat Apr 16, 2016 12:02 pm

I redid the interior of a new to me 1988 15 SS a couple of years ago and raised all seating as well as the console by 3". It is acceptable but I can not imagine it being lower. I am old with long legs.

Binkster
Posts: 113
Joined: Mon Nov 02, 2015 7:55 am

Re: Raising the Stock Seats on Classic Sport 15

Postby Binkster » Sat Apr 16, 2016 2:35 pm

Raising the seats may not solve the problem that the 13 and 15 foot Whaler both share. If the console remains at stock height, you might find yourself driving in a hunched over position. When I modified my 15 footer, I just started over from scratch, I wanted a center console that I could drive sitting or standing anyway.https://fifteenfootbostonwhaler.shutter ... pictures/8

rich

PJMSport15MY1984
Posts: 40
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2015 2:20 pm
Location: Marysville, WA

Re: Raising the Stock Seats on Classic Sport 15

Postby PJMSport15MY1984 » Tue Apr 19, 2016 1:49 pm

All of you have wonderful suggestions. Yes, Rich, I am redesigning the console as well. I will post pictures once I figure this whole this out.
Paul

BlueSmoke
Posts: 25
Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2015 10:06 pm

Re: Raising the Stock Seats on Classic Sport 15

Postby BlueSmoke » Thu Apr 21, 2016 3:50 pm

I just tried to raise my seat above the risers on my 1977 sport 15. The risers are bowed out and there is only a tiny overlap on the boards so it is not safe to sit on. I am wondering what to do.

I could put a wood strip screwed onto the side of the riser to extend it or add some L brackets.

IMG_3880.JPG
IMG_3880.JPG (77.19 KiB) Viewed 9888 times

goldstem
Posts: 64
Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2015 12:57 pm

Re: Raising the Stock Seats on Classic Sport 15

Postby goldstem » Thu Apr 21, 2016 4:48 pm

even with overlap I still screwed a wood strip into the riser and then screwed the seats into those strips. Just seemed more secure to me.

porthole
Posts: 645
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:57 pm
Location: LSD Lower Slower Delaware

Re: Raising the Stock Seats on Classic Sport 15

Postby porthole » Sat Apr 23, 2016 9:39 am

On my 1983 15' center console I replaced all the wood bench and supports with Starboard. When I made the new side risers I raised the seating position about 1.5". But the real comfort came when I changed the angle of the back rest. I also raised the height of the back rest, but making it more vertical really made it more comfortable to drive.

I also had made a custom fuel tank at the same time, so the lack of natural support of the starboard is augmented by some cleats that rest on the tank when seated.

These changes made driving sitting down much better.

You can get an idea of what I did here.

http://s96.photobucket.com/user/porthole2/library/Boats/BW%2015%20CC%201983%20eBay?sort=9&page=1
Thanks,
Duane
2016 World Cat 230DC
1999 Outrage 21, Yamaha SW Series II 200
1997 Outrage 18, Yamaha 125
1983 15 SS, Honda 50
1980 42 Post
1983 34 Luhrs 340 SF

Oldslowandugly
Posts: 717
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2016 11:19 pm
Location: Queens NY

Re: Raising the Stock Seats on Classic Sport 15

Postby Oldslowandugly » Sat Apr 23, 2016 11:24 am

My 15 foot Sport had no wood at all and what was left of the console was smashed. It did have a swing back cooler seat and I kept that for dry storage. I found a very small Todd console which left plenty of room on either side to walk past. Squeezing on the steering helm, the gauges, the switches, and stuffing the wiring inside was a chore and that took an entire winter to finish. The cooler seat is at a perfect comfortable height and the seat back swings so I can sit facing front or back. More importantly, there are no trip hazards. At my age I don't think I could stand any other configuration. Image

mkelly
Posts: 40
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2015 6:31 pm

Re: Raising the Stock Seats on Classic Sport 15

Postby mkelly » Sun Apr 24, 2016 10:11 pm

I have a '86 15 CC that I purchased with the original seating & rail system. I knew going in I was going to install two single pedestal seats & three years ago I did. Fantastic move & I love sitting up a little higher & have the ability to move around with that bench. I can attach photos but not sure how.....any advice on that one?

porthole
Posts: 645
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:57 pm
Location: LSD Lower Slower Delaware

Re: Raising the Stock Seats on Classic Sport 15

Postby porthole » Wed Apr 27, 2016 10:23 am

Found a link to another site (if it is allowed) I have some pictures of my seat changes

http://www.whalercentral.com/infusions/personal_page/view_personal_page.php?user_id=520
Thanks,
Duane
2016 World Cat 230DC
1999 Outrage 21, Yamaha SW Series II 200
1997 Outrage 18, Yamaha 125
1983 15 SS, Honda 50
1980 42 Post
1983 34 Luhrs 340 SF