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Author Topic:   13-Footer: Comfortable Seats

spiffypixdotcom posted 11-14-2009 08:41 PM ET (US)
I'm a first-time Boston Whaler boat owner--and a first-time boat owner, for that matter :).
I just purchased a pre-1970 classic 13-foot Boston Whaler boat with the standard flat bench seats. I just know that I'm going to be miserable bouncing across the Great South Bay on those flat benches, so I'm in the market for comfortable seats. I've seen that I can add a wooden flat back to the bench, but I'm looking for 'seats'. I would love to find something like this:
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/cetacea/images/72/6console640x480.jpeg
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/cetacea/images/72/5gunwales-640x480.jpeg
I've been looking for something like this but I can't find anything. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
Melanie
Free Bird posted 11-14-2009 09:31 PM ET (US)
Look at some marine supply catalogs on line. You can mount these types of seats with something called a seat clamp. It's a swiveling mounting plate attached to clamps that are shaped like ] on it's side. It clamps on to the mahogany bench. This is a good solution that makes it very easy to switch back to original format. The local Walmart here has the seat clamps for about $24.00 and a white vinyl seat for about $25.00. The Walmart seats are all white and much more attractive than the ones in the link you provided. The seats and clamps are commonly used by jon boat owners. I am thinking of doing the same thing due to my terrible back problems. Probably from boat repair. The down side to these is that you will have to either get a custom boat cover or remove the seats when you put your cover in place. On Ebay you can search "seat clamp" and "boat seat" to get some ideas.
Free Bird posted 11-14-2009 10:04 PM ET (US)
I forgot that most seats will fold down so delete what I said about problems with the boat cover.
jimh posted 11-15-2009 11:22 AM ET (US)
The thwart seats without back rests that are original on most classic Boston Whaler 13-foot and 15-foot SPORT models are rather uncomfortable, and it is extremely common to see modifications employed to improve the seating. There are many add-on seats available--so many, indeed, that it is really impossible to catalogue or summarize them. Obtain some boating supply catalogues or visit some local boat hardware sellers. There is an enormous range of prices for boat seating, and you can spend as little or as much as you like.
I recommend against drilling any holes in the original mahogany planks which form the thwart seats on your classic Boston Whaler boat. If you are going to modify the seating, consider replacing the original planks with new, less expensive plywood of suitable thickness and strength.
A simple modification to improve comfort is to raise the thwart seat by moving it to the top of the riser or cleat board.
R T M posted 11-15-2009 08:54 PM ET (US)
Simple seat back modification on 13 footer. Soon to have 2" thick cushion on seat and seatback.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c191/floridaboy2053/ Whaler%20with%20Mercury/WHALER8.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c191/floridaboy2053/ Whaler%20with%20Mercury/WHALER5.jpg
rich/Binkie
dburton posted 11-17-2009 03:41 PM ET (US)
When I had my 13' sport I mounted 2 Tempress all-Weather Low back seats on swivels.
http://www.tempress.com/store/index.php?cPath=10_25_130
http://www.tempress.com/store/index.php?cPath=10_25_130
Here is a picture of my boat:
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/burtondw/1976%2013%20ft%20%20Whaler/?action=view¤t=72.jpg
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/burtondw/ 1976%2013%20ft%20%20Whaler/?action=view¤t=72.jpg

These are the same seats that Whaler uses on their Dauntless fishing package.
sandman posted 11-21-2009 08:57 AM ET (US)
burtondw-I need some info. I am piecing together a boat like yours, and do not know what kind of bracket attaches the back of the front seat to the console. Can you help? Thanks.
PeteB88 posted 11-22-2009 10:01 PM ET (US)
Hey, I've got a ton of hours in my 13 and even the 11.5 which my neighbor is going to buy. I struggled with the seat and comfort issue. I totally agree w/ Jim - don't drill that mahogany.
I just use a thick seat cushion/PDF thing and it works great for me. I carry a couple and passengers either sit on one or on PDF jackets.
I think you have to learn how to fold your legs, stand up and steer when you are going slow, stand up and stretch or cast, and lean forward when things get choppy or rough. YOu can also learn how to absorb shock with your legs. I sort of ride it like skiing or riding a bike - lift a bit with your legs.
I know some owners have raised the seats by fastening to the top of the side rail. Nah.
We made a decision to keep our 13 and install the Full Mills Forward Shelter and Fly Top if I can find mounting hardware.
13s are great boats. Try a minimalist solution first - OR let us know what you decide to do. Maybe a clamp on seat would be cool.
DragnBallz posted 11-24-2009 12:38 AM ET (US)
http://www.amazon.com/GCI-Outdoors-Bleacher-Back-Seat/dp/B0014Z9D5S
These are REMOVABLE, be nice to your mahogany.
RobertRibley posted 11-26-2009 09:01 AM ET (US)

I use the fish on seats for my 13 thay fold down and have a cushin.
Robert

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Author	Topic: 13-Footer: Comfortable Seats
spiffypixdotcom	posted 11-14-2009 08:41 PM ET (US) I'm a first-time Boston Whaler boat owner--and a first-time boat owner, for that matter :). I just purchased a pre-1970 classic 13-foot Boston Whaler boat with the standard flat bench seats. I just know that I'm going to be miserable bouncing across the Great South Bay on those flat benches, so I'm in the market for comfortable seats. I've seen that I can add a wooden flat back to the bench, but I'm looking for 'seats'. I would love to find something like this: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/cetacea/images/72/6console640x480.jpeg http://continuouswave.com/whaler/cetacea/images/72/5gunwales-640x480.jpeg I've been looking for something like this but I can't find anything. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance. Melanie
Free Bird	posted 11-14-2009 09:31 PM ET (US) Look at some marine supply catalogs on line. You can mount these types of seats with something called a seat clamp. It's a swiveling mounting plate attached to clamps that are shaped like ] on it's side. It clamps on to the mahogany bench. This is a good solution that makes it very easy to switch back to original format. The local Walmart here has the seat clamps for about $24.00 and a white vinyl seat for about $25.00. The Walmart seats are all white and much more attractive than the ones in the link you provided. The seats and clamps are commonly used by jon boat owners. I am thinking of doing the same thing due to my terrible back problems. Probably from boat repair. The down side to these is that you will have to either get a custom boat cover or remove the seats when you put your cover in place. On Ebay you can search "seat clamp" and "boat seat" to get some ideas.
Free Bird	posted 11-14-2009 10:04 PM ET (US) I forgot that most seats will fold down so delete what I said about problems with the boat cover.
jimh	posted 11-15-2009 11:22 AM ET (US) The thwart seats without back rests that are original on most classic Boston Whaler 13-foot and 15-foot SPORT models are rather uncomfortable, and it is extremely common to see modifications employed to improve the seating. There are many add-on seats available--so many, indeed, that it is really impossible to catalogue or summarize them. Obtain some boating supply catalogues or visit some local boat hardware sellers. There is an enormous range of prices for boat seating, and you can spend as little or as much as you like. I recommend against drilling any holes in the original mahogany planks which form the thwart seats on your classic Boston Whaler boat. If you are going to modify the seating, consider replacing the original planks with new, less expensive plywood of suitable thickness and strength. A simple modification to improve comfort is to raise the thwart seat by moving it to the top of the riser or cleat board.
R T M	posted 11-15-2009 08:54 PM ET (US) Simple seat back modification on 13 footer. Soon to have 2" thick cushion on seat and seatback. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c191/floridaboy2053/ Whaler%20with%20Mercury/WHALER8.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c191/floridaboy2053/ Whaler%20with%20Mercury/WHALER5.jpg rich/Binkie
dburton	posted 11-17-2009 03:41 PM ET (US) When I had my 13' sport I mounted 2 Tempress all-Weather Low back seats on swivels. http://www.tempress.com/store/index.php?cPath=10_25_130 http://www.tempress.com/store/index.php?cPath=10_25_130 Here is a picture of my boat: http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/burtondw/1976%2013%20ft%20%20Whaler/?action=view¤t=72.jpg http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/burtondw/ 1976%2013%20ft%20%20Whaler/?action=view¤t=72.jpg These are the same seats that Whaler uses on their Dauntless fishing package.
sandman	posted 11-21-2009 08:57 AM ET (US) burtondw-I need some info. I am piecing together a boat like yours, and do not know what kind of bracket attaches the back of the front seat to the console. Can you help? Thanks.
PeteB88	posted 11-22-2009 10:01 PM ET (US) Hey, I've got a ton of hours in my 13 and even the 11.5 which my neighbor is going to buy. I struggled with the seat and comfort issue. I totally agree w/ Jim - don't drill that mahogany. I just use a thick seat cushion/PDF thing and it works great for me. I carry a couple and passengers either sit on one or on PDF jackets. I think you have to learn how to fold your legs, stand up and steer when you are going slow, stand up and stretch or cast, and lean forward when things get choppy or rough. YOu can also learn how to absorb shock with your legs. I sort of ride it like skiing or riding a bike - lift a bit with your legs. I know some owners have raised the seats by fastening to the top of the side rail. Nah. We made a decision to keep our 13 and install the Full Mills Forward Shelter and Fly Top if I can find mounting hardware. 13s are great boats. Try a minimalist solution first - OR let us know what you decide to do. Maybe a clamp on seat would be cool.
DragnBallz	posted 11-24-2009 12:38 AM ET (US) http://www.amazon.com/GCI-Outdoors-Bleacher-Back-Seat/dp/B0014Z9D5S These are REMOVABLE, be nice to your mahogany.
RobertRibley	posted 11-26-2009 09:01 AM ET (US) I use the fish on seats for my 13 thay fold down and have a cushin. Robert