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Author Topic:   SPORT 15 Seats

GBIslander posted 01-24-2015 12:16 AM ET (US)
I recently purchased a 1988 15-foot Boston Whaler. The boat needs some minor fiberglass repairs and has no seats. It does have a fiberglass side console. What do others recommend for replacement seating? Should I go with mahogany or try to find a set of GLS seats? Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated. The boat comes from and will be used in fresh water. Thanks.
grosseile88 posted 01-23-2015 12:14 PM ET (US)
The mahogany looks way better than the fiberglass. Check with Mike at Nautical Lumber--Neptune Yacht Refinishing in Michigan, (586) 463-4505. They create some great reproductions--I would say better than original. You can also source exact replica cushions from Anderson Mfg & Upholstery, Inc., 321-267-7028.
tedious posted 01-23-2015 01:02 PM ET (US)
Choice of interior really depends on how you intend to use the boat.
The mahogany interiors look great, but require more maintenance. If the boat is in the sun a lot every day, you'll likely need at least some varnish work each year.
The Sport interior is simple and light, but offers no storage and the standard thwart seats have no back support. You can get a seat back for the rear thwart. With the Sport, you can put the fuel tanks under the rear thwart. This leaves more room in the stern area for fishing or whatever.
The Super Sport interior has storage under and behind the rear thwart--not a ton, but it's better than nothing. It also has seating with back support for three people.
Specialty Marine sells a modified Super Sport interior with fully-supported seating for four, and access to the bow in the middle. It looks like a nice setup.
Finally, you could go custom. I have a SuperSport interior, but raised 2-inch for more legroom and more room in the storage compartment. I also have a folding seatback on the portside front thwart to allow comfortable seating for four.
Tim
GBIslander posted 01-23-2015 07:42 PM ET (US)
Great suggestions and contacts; thanks. By any chance has anyone used KING StarBoard in this application?
jimh posted 01-24-2015 12:20 AM ET (US)
The seating on the Boston Whaler 15-foot boats has always been less comfortable than needed, and owner-modification of the seating is a very common sight in these boats.
I don't think you can find any sources of original laminated seats from the 15 GLS. I also don't think they are very attractive.
The best looking seats are varnished mahogany seats, and the best design is the original Super Sport seats, or some crafty adaptation or improvement on that design.
For contact information for recommended vendors, please refer to
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/OEM.html
You will find contact information there for the vendors mentioned above.
Jeff posted 01-24-2015 09:44 AM ET (US)
Starboard does not have enought structural integrity to used for the thwart seats alone. It requires having a support go from under the thwart seat to the floor in atleast one spot if not two depending on the thickness.
jimh posted 01-24-2015 10:51 AM ET (US)
I would not reject using wood as a material for making a seat in a boat. Wood has many very excellent properties, such as weight, strength, appearance, and easy to work. Any concern for the ability of wood to withstand weathering is overcome with a protective coating or by choosing the right type of wood.
The remark about using the boat in fresh water is interesting: fresh water is more of a threat to wood than saltwater. Wood will rot in fresh water more so than in saltwater. One must be more protective of wood in freshwater; it must not be left wet and waterlogged.
Wood can be protected against water with epoxy resins. Then the epoxy protected against the ultraviolet of the sun with varnish. Wood treated in this way is very durable, and can survive weather with little attention for a long time.
mkelly posted 01-27-2015 02:55 AM ET (US)
I have a 15' 1986 center console version of your boat. It's original seating layout was the standard teak bench with side rails. The seating was very low & a previous 15 we owned had to swivel mount seats. I pulled all the existing seating & railing, purchased two small stand alone swivels seats & mounted them on starboard which was securely fastened to the deck. The reason for the 1" stardboard was to provide a better distribution of load created by someone sitting in a 15' Whaler running around the San Juan Islands. It's worked out very well & completely changes the boat's usefulness. You can easily walk around the seats to access that stern & I've also mounted downrigger plates just next to the seats for salmon fishing. I have a couple great photos to illustrate what we did....send me an email & I'll forward along. Or someone tell me how to load photos to the site.....thx.
michael.kelly667@gmail.com
Binkster posted 01-27-2015 01:45 PM ET (US)
Once you decide to go custom with your 15 footer the sky's the limit. The problem with the original layout with all the stock interiors is that they are too low and seating is uncomfortable, even the center console model. If you want a center console boat, it should be comfortable to drive both sitting and standing. So I designed and built a complete new interior, with a custom folding center console for ease of working inside, along with a custom RPS aluminum and mahogany RPS seat. The hull exterior is original sanded and polished gelcoat, and I sprayed the interior with custom matched Desert Sand AwlGrip. these pics were taken last Aug. Since then I installed a 1999 Yamaha C60, and new controls, and some other stuff that Wouldn't show in pictures. Jeff was kind enough to notice that my decals were not OEM, so he sent me new ones that are. I still have to get the windshield made and I have as yet to test out the boat.
https://fifteenfootbostonwhaler.shutterfly.com/pictures/8
conch posted 01-27-2015 07:03 PM ET (US)
Rich she looks great. Is the stern light tall enough once the engine is installed?
Chuck
jimh posted 01-27-2015 09:45 PM ET (US)
Rich--Nice work. Dick Fisher and Bob Dougherty would approve.
Binkster posted 01-27-2015 10:17 PM ET (US)
Chuck, never thought about the height of the stern light. Is there a rule on that. I think a tall one would just get in the way. To tell you the truth, I don't plan to be out at night,-- on purpose.
rich
alfa posted 01-28-2015 01:22 AM ET (US)
Hi Rich,
very nice 15 !
Fine job, tight lines.
Alain
conch posted 01-30-2015 10:31 AM ET (US)
Rich, just to answer the question it seems there is a rule about obstruction and height of a stern light. I will have to raise mine also. Looking at the rules it seems to be a vertical distance of 1 Meter from the bow light and an unobstructed 360 degree stern light.
By raising mine to the vertical separation rule I'll be okay. A previous owner had cut my original light shorter. I do not travel at night in the boat either,but if I am coming home later than planned, then I probably do not want to be stopped.
Chuck
tedious posted 01-30-2015 01:49 PM ET (US)
Chuck, I the stern light down a little so it will fit in the storage compartment (SuperSport 15). It's probably a whisker less than 1 meter right now, and I am not worried at all about getting stopped. As long as your stern light quite a bit higher than the bow, I can't imagine you'd ever hear anything about it.
Plus where I boat, the Coasties only stop boats with bikini-clad women on board, which is rare at night.
Tim
tedious posted 01-30-2015 03:21 PM ET (US)
Ahem.
I ________ the stern light.

What is "cut?"
conch posted 01-30-2015 06:35 PM ET (US)
Tim, the pole of my stern light has been cut in length so that it is only about 8 inches above the gunnel total using the original two part mount.I guess it was in the way for fishing.
I will probably mount a 360 degree white light with a base to my engine hood top ,as is the popular custom here and use the existing two part stern light hardware mounted at the transom to hold the pole of a dive flag which I'll remove when not in use.
Chuck
Binkster posted 02-01-2015 12:01 PM ET (US)
I have always used a short masted 360 degrees white light on my boats becuase tall ones tend to get in the way. My understanding of that light is that it needs to be seen only when at anchor and not used at all when the boat is underway. that's why its called an anchor light. OK, I realize that the outboard or something else may block it's viewing at some angles but I have never been sighted for this. If I'm anchored at night I always keep a searchlight handy and I would give a couple of blips of light (not directly) toward and boat coming my way. If I slept on the boat I would have a tall white light.
http://www.boatus.com/boattech/articles/anchor-lights.asp
rich
Buckda posted 02-01-2015 12:23 PM ET (US)
The "White Light" on a small boat such as a Whaler is used as both the "Anchor Light" when anchored and as part of the "Navigation Lights" when underway.
That is why Whaler originally installed a three position switch where the first position was "off" the second position was just the "anchor" 360* light in the stern and the third position was "navigation" which illuminated the bow lights as well as the 360* light in the stern.
The larger Whalers used a slightly different setup.
Here are the rules for nav lights:
http://www.boatus.org/guide/navigation_16.html
In truth, mounting the light anywhere it can be obstructed (by occupants, consoles, etc) is not allowed. Therefore, setting it up on the motor cowling, etc. is not technically legal. Most LEO's I have encountered on the water have just been satisfied with operational lights, even if they don't meet the technical requirements beyond the red/green being on the proper sides, etc.
However, if you want to be fully legal and in compliance (which becomes important if you ever have an incident at night that will later involve attorneys), you need to raise the white stern light and make sure it is not obstructed.
Back to the interior of the 15' Whaler:
Rich's solution (besides the light!) is an excellent custom setup.
The easiest solution is to order an interior kit from one of the above mentioned vendors. I do agree that you will need to check the wood finish every season for blemishes and make sure you seal any scratches , etc. A simple scuff sand and re-coating every couple seasons is all that is required beyond that, and is easy to accomplish.
Buckda posted 02-01-2015 12:28 PM ET (US)
I should note that it is crucial for the white light to be displayed because it will help other boaters determine from which direction and angle you might be approaching them, the relative positions of traffic, etc. Check out the animations, etc. on the link above (on the left hand toolbar) to see what I mean.

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Author	Topic: SPORT 15 Seats
GBIslander	posted 01-24-2015 12:16 AM ET (US) I recently purchased a 1988 15-foot Boston Whaler. The boat needs some minor fiberglass repairs and has no seats. It does have a fiberglass side console. What do others recommend for replacement seating? Should I go with mahogany or try to find a set of GLS seats? Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated. The boat comes from and will be used in fresh water. Thanks.
grosseile88	posted 01-23-2015 12:14 PM ET (US) The mahogany looks way better than the fiberglass. Check with Mike at Nautical Lumber--Neptune Yacht Refinishing in Michigan, (586) 463-4505. They create some great reproductions--I would say better than original. You can also source exact replica cushions from Anderson Mfg & Upholstery, Inc., 321-267-7028.
tedious	posted 01-23-2015 01:02 PM ET (US) Choice of interior really depends on how you intend to use the boat. The mahogany interiors look great, but require more maintenance. If the boat is in the sun a lot every day, you'll likely need at least some varnish work each year. The Sport interior is simple and light, but offers no storage and the standard thwart seats have no back support. You can get a seat back for the rear thwart. With the Sport, you can put the fuel tanks under the rear thwart. This leaves more room in the stern area for fishing or whatever. The Super Sport interior has storage under and behind the rear thwart--not a ton, but it's better than nothing. It also has seating with back support for three people. Specialty Marine sells a modified Super Sport interior with fully-supported seating for four, and access to the bow in the middle. It looks like a nice setup. Finally, you could go custom. I have a SuperSport interior, but raised 2-inch for more legroom and more room in the storage compartment. I also have a folding seatback on the portside front thwart to allow comfortable seating for four. Tim
GBIslander	posted 01-23-2015 07:42 PM ET (US) Great suggestions and contacts; thanks. By any chance has anyone used KING StarBoard in this application?
jimh	posted 01-24-2015 12:20 AM ET (US) The seating on the Boston Whaler 15-foot boats has always been less comfortable than needed, and owner-modification of the seating is a very common sight in these boats. I don't think you can find any sources of original laminated seats from the 15 GLS. I also don't think they are very attractive. The best looking seats are varnished mahogany seats, and the best design is the original Super Sport seats, or some crafty adaptation or improvement on that design. For contact information for recommended vendors, please refer to http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/OEM.html You will find contact information there for the vendors mentioned above.
Jeff	posted 01-24-2015 09:44 AM ET (US) Starboard does not have enought structural integrity to used for the thwart seats alone. It requires having a support go from under the thwart seat to the floor in atleast one spot if not two depending on the thickness.
jimh	posted 01-24-2015 10:51 AM ET (US) I would not reject using wood as a material for making a seat in a boat. Wood has many very excellent properties, such as weight, strength, appearance, and easy to work. Any concern for the ability of wood to withstand weathering is overcome with a protective coating or by choosing the right type of wood. The remark about using the boat in fresh water is interesting: fresh water is more of a threat to wood than saltwater. Wood will rot in fresh water more so than in saltwater. One must be more protective of wood in freshwater; it must not be left wet and waterlogged. Wood can be protected against water with epoxy resins. Then the epoxy protected against the ultraviolet of the sun with varnish. Wood treated in this way is very durable, and can survive weather with little attention for a long time.
mkelly	posted 01-27-2015 02:55 AM ET (US) I have a 15' 1986 center console version of your boat. It's original seating layout was the standard teak bench with side rails. The seating was very low & a previous 15 we owned had to swivel mount seats. I pulled all the existing seating & railing, purchased two small stand alone swivels seats & mounted them on starboard which was securely fastened to the deck. The reason for the 1" stardboard was to provide a better distribution of load created by someone sitting in a 15' Whaler running around the San Juan Islands. It's worked out very well & completely changes the boat's usefulness. You can easily walk around the seats to access that stern & I've also mounted downrigger plates just next to the seats for salmon fishing. I have a couple great photos to illustrate what we did....send me an email & I'll forward along. Or someone tell me how to load photos to the site.....thx. michael.kelly667@gmail.com
Binkster	posted 01-27-2015 01:45 PM ET (US) Once you decide to go custom with your 15 footer the sky's the limit. The problem with the original layout with all the stock interiors is that they are too low and seating is uncomfortable, even the center console model. If you want a center console boat, it should be comfortable to drive both sitting and standing. So I designed and built a complete new interior, with a custom folding center console for ease of working inside, along with a custom RPS aluminum and mahogany RPS seat. The hull exterior is original sanded and polished gelcoat, and I sprayed the interior with custom matched Desert Sand AwlGrip. these pics were taken last Aug. Since then I installed a 1999 Yamaha C60, and new controls, and some other stuff that Wouldn't show in pictures. Jeff was kind enough to notice that my decals were not OEM, so he sent me new ones that are. I still have to get the windshield made and I have as yet to test out the boat. https://fifteenfootbostonwhaler.shutterfly.com/pictures/8
conch	posted 01-27-2015 07:03 PM ET (US) Rich she looks great. Is the stern light tall enough once the engine is installed? Chuck
jimh	posted 01-27-2015 09:45 PM ET (US) Rich--Nice work. Dick Fisher and Bob Dougherty would approve.
Binkster	posted 01-27-2015 10:17 PM ET (US) Chuck, never thought about the height of the stern light. Is there a rule on that. I think a tall one would just get in the way. To tell you the truth, I don't plan to be out at night,-- on purpose. rich
alfa	posted 01-28-2015 01:22 AM ET (US) Hi Rich, very nice 15 ! Fine job, tight lines. Alain
conch	posted 01-30-2015 10:31 AM ET (US) Rich, just to answer the question it seems there is a rule about obstruction and height of a stern light. I will have to raise mine also. Looking at the rules it seems to be a vertical distance of 1 Meter from the bow light and an unobstructed 360 degree stern light. By raising mine to the vertical separation rule I'll be okay. A previous owner had cut my original light shorter. I do not travel at night in the boat either,but if I am coming home later than planned, then I probably do not want to be stopped. Chuck
tedious	posted 01-30-2015 01:49 PM ET (US) Chuck, I the stern light down a little so it will fit in the storage compartment (SuperSport 15). It's probably a whisker less than 1 meter right now, and I am not worried at all about getting stopped. As long as your stern light quite a bit higher than the bow, I can't imagine you'd ever hear anything about it. Plus where I boat, the Coasties only stop boats with bikini-clad women on board, which is rare at night. Tim
tedious	posted 01-30-2015 03:21 PM ET (US) Ahem. I ________ the stern light. What is "cut?"
conch	posted 01-30-2015 06:35 PM ET (US) Tim, the pole of my stern light has been cut in length so that it is only about 8 inches above the gunnel total using the original two part mount.I guess it was in the way for fishing. I will probably mount a 360 degree white light with a base to my engine hood top ,as is the popular custom here and use the existing two part stern light hardware mounted at the transom to hold the pole of a dive flag which I'll remove when not in use. Chuck
Binkster	posted 02-01-2015 12:01 PM ET (US) I have always used a short masted 360 degrees white light on my boats becuase tall ones tend to get in the way. My understanding of that light is that it needs to be seen only when at anchor and not used at all when the boat is underway. that's why its called an anchor light. OK, I realize that the outboard or something else may block it's viewing at some angles but I have never been sighted for this. If I'm anchored at night I always keep a searchlight handy and I would give a couple of blips of light (not directly) toward and boat coming my way. If I slept on the boat I would have a tall white light. http://www.boatus.com/boattech/articles/anchor-lights.asp rich
Buckda	posted 02-01-2015 12:23 PM ET (US) The "White Light" on a small boat such as a Whaler is used as both the "Anchor Light" when anchored and as part of the "Navigation Lights" when underway. That is why Whaler originally installed a three position switch where the first position was "off" the second position was just the "anchor" 360* light in the stern and the third position was "navigation" which illuminated the bow lights as well as the 360* light in the stern. The larger Whalers used a slightly different setup. Here are the rules for nav lights: http://www.boatus.org/guide/navigation_16.html In truth, mounting the light anywhere it can be obstructed (by occupants, consoles, etc) is not allowed. Therefore, setting it up on the motor cowling, etc. is not technically legal. Most LEO's I have encountered on the water have just been satisfied with operational lights, even if they don't meet the technical requirements beyond the red/green being on the proper sides, etc. However, if you want to be fully legal and in compliance (which becomes important if you ever have an incident at night that will later involve attorneys), you need to raise the white stern light and make sure it is not obstructed. Back to the interior of the 15' Whaler: Rich's solution (besides the light!) is an excellent custom setup. The easiest solution is to order an interior kit from one of the above mentioned vendors. I do agree that you will need to check the wood finish every season for blemishes and make sure you seal any scratches , etc. A simple scuff sand and re-coating every couple seasons is all that is required beyond that, and is easy to accomplish.
Buckda	posted 02-01-2015 12:28 PM ET (US) I should note that it is crucial for the white light to be displayed because it will help other boaters determine from which direction and angle you might be approaching them, the relative positions of traffic, etc. Check out the animations, etc. on the link above (on the left hand toolbar) to see what I mean.