posted 06-03-2000 07:54 AM ET (US)        

First, a thanks to jimh for running such a great forum. I acquired a 1982 15' SS a few weeks ago and have found this site invaluable.

I am redoing all the mahogany and have everything removed from the hull (lots of fun). The boat was missing the center bench seat. Can anyone supply the exact dimensions of the mahogany needed to build a replacement? Any recommendations for a source would be appreciated also.

Thanks in advance!

posted 06-03-2000 08:50 AM ET (US)            

The mahogany thwart seat width is easy to deduce from the pockets in the risers where it fits. The seat could be made by buying a "5/4" mahogany plank, then having the plank milled to 1" thick. The length is easily deduced from the width between the cockpit molded ledges on which it sits.

Making the seat back and storage compartment will be a little harder! I don't know of a source of the exact dimensions.

Maybe someone on the forum has a 15-foot Super Sport and could take a few measurements. The photographs in the REFERENCE/15/ section show pretty well the general shape and form of the seat/backrest/compartment.

I think that there is some variation over the course of production for some parts, too. The front hatch on some boats is made from planks, while on others is is made from plywood.

You'll need to find a lumber yard with good mahogany planks and a willingness to mill them down for you. And I'd save the mahogany sawdust to use in making epoxy thickener for gluing it all together, too.

posted 06-03-2000 10:12 PM ET (US)            

Thanks for all the information. It is the front thwart seat that is missing. I measured the distance between the ledge and the rubber retainer on the side pieces and it is about 1-1/4" and I want to be exact in the width if I am going to hack into some expensive mahogany(I don't trust my measurements).

My Whaler doesn't have any storage in the aft seat. In looking at the model descriptions, it appears it is a Sport 15 with Seatback Option, not a Super Sport. I assume that is one of the differences between the two models.

Backlash, if you could supply the length, width and thickness of the front thwart seat, I would grreatly appreciate it.

Thanks again...

Graham

posted 06-04-2000 05:12 PM ET (US)            

L: 53 7/8
W: 11 5/8
H: 15/16 (hard to tell there is a slight bevel)

Those are pretty close to Backlash's numbers.

posted 06-04-2000 10:07 PM ET (US)            

Thanks. Hmmm, let me see if I interpolate between the two, that should be the most accurate -- right?

I've taken out and taken apart every bit of interior mahogany as of this morning. I am using a citrus-based varnish remover to get rid of what's left of the last coat of varnish -- that job looks like it is going to take some work.

I will just imagine how good it will look when it is completed! I just hope the dark spots will sand out or I can find some wood bleach to lighten them.

Thanks again...

posted 06-08-2000 04:52 PM ET (US)            

I dropped by a local hardwood lumber yard on the way home today and purchased a 5/4 X X 12 X 10' piece of Philippine mahogany (beautiful). They are going to plane it to 1" and I will then have some space lumber after trimming it to size. Will cost about $75 when I am done!

Now I just hope it complements the existing wood that has probably lightened over the years. They do accept returns, I am sure.

posted 06-05-2001 07:26 PM ET (US)         

Just stripping the wood of varnish, and lightly sanidng, is not enough. You must orbital sand off the bleached out surface wood, to get back down to the original "pinkish" mahogany color.