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Author Topic:   130 seat support

hardensheetmetal posted 07-13-2004 12:21 PM ET (US)
I have had my 'new to me' 2001 130 for about a month now, and have noticed two things that I don't love about the boat, and was curious if others had the same thoughts.
While the boat handles waves and rougher water better than the classic, I have noticed that the trim of the boat is more greatly affected by where I sit when I am driving (alone). I find that with the battery under the helm position and the full fuel tank under the port side, I have to sit almost in the dead middle of the boat to get it to sit and ride level. I don't remember having this problem with any of the classic 13's I have owned.
The second observation (gripe) is related to the first. I have noticed that the thwarts do not have as much strength as they look like they should. If I am sitted near the centerline of the boat, and hit even a small wave or wake, the flex of the seat is very noticeable and small sterss cracks are developing along the leading edge of the seat. A single support or stanchion up from the floor to the center of the seat bottom would remedy this problem.
I am also not in love with the swoop back console and steering wheel. It makes me feel like I am driving one of those old lady three wheeled bicycles. The steering wheel feels like it is in-your-face. I like the low profile feel of the Classic.
I do not totally hate the boat though. The fit and finish are excellent. The ride is very nice compared to the Classic. And I think it is a good value compared to a 25 year old boat/motor/trailer. The area behind the rear seat is like a pick-up truck compared to the classic.
Dan
Royboy posted 07-13-2004 12:54 PM ET (US)
Dan, I have the same boat (2001 130 Sport) with a 25 hp. 4 stroke Merc. I have noticed a few things that might interest you. First, my Whaler planes quicker with only me in the boat. With another person sitting beside me, it helps to turn sharply left and then right until one of the sponsons grabs the water and it starts to plane. It rides level with the battery directly under the starbord side of the bench (rear) seat and the fuel tank under the port side of the same seat. This is with my 180 pounds sitting directly aft of the steering wheel, which is closer to center than it is to the starbord gunwhale. I find the wheel height good for standing operation (I'm 5'8" tall) , but I don't have anything to compare it to for sitting because my other boats were tillers. It seems about right height-wise though.
The full length seat back is comfortable, but it acts like a sail when up (like when drift fishing). I also have to tie it down when I trailer because the hinges don't look like they'd take too much slamming open. Otherwise, it's plenty sturdy and can support my weight standing on it when it's down with no problem.
The boat handles great, even in some pretty heavy boat chop I can keep it on plane as long as I stay above 4500 RPM's. It doesn't seem to take much spray unless you get the wind going the totally wrong way, and even then it's manageable. I had it out on water last week that would shrink my old boat right up around me, but my Whaler felt nice and safe, evn though it's actually a foot shorter.
The console isn't pretty like a classic's, but it's sturdy and maintenance free, which I like.
Roy
Tin Lid posted 07-13-2004 01:00 PM ET (US)

sanjaun2 posted 07-13-2004 05:10 PM ET (US)
The newer 130's have a support right under the middle of the seat. I would install one before your seat starts cracking on the outboard ends where they attach.
hardensheetmetal posted 07-14-2004 10:56 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the replys. I am wondering if Whaler is selling the seat support as a "fix kit". The way it flexes, you would think they would have made them with a support of somekind from the beginning. Its interesting that the fiberglass thwart is not as strong as the original 1" mahogany on the classics.
Dan
Seattlerocket posted 07-14-2004 11:58 PM ET (US)
Same deal, 2002 130 and my BMI busting body is not happy on the bench seat either. Yes the boat tilts to one side unless I am dead center. The screws that hold the seat in have even popped out. Maybe I should go talk to the Washington State dealer to see if they will offer me a fix. But my pipe dream is a custom made up aluminum seat/gas tank/ battery box/tackle storage combo. Bump up the 6.6 gallon tank, provide some tackle drawers and fix the buck board seat all at the same time.
Only in my dreams.
Since this is my first power boat I am OK with the steering setup I have never known anything else so it is fine by me.
And did I mention. I still love the boat. Look for me this Saturday at the Sockeye love in on Lake WA.
Jarhead posted 07-15-2004 06:54 AM ET (US)
I'm sure it goes without saying but something to consider. The newer 130's have wood under the floor in the location of the seat support.
If, after a check of the wood location diagram of your 130 you find no floor support I would add a length 12"-14" to the floor of the same material you plan on using for the vertical support.
hardensheetmetal posted 07-15-2004 11:25 AM ET (US)
Jarhead-
I agree, I saw a picture either here or elswhere of a seat support that ran down to a piece of starboard on the floor. While I agree that this would be neccesary to distribute the weight across a greater area, it also looks a little half- assed I think.
I like seattles idea of a seat with storage that extended down to the floor, sort of like a pick-up truck cross box.
Dan
Mako posted 07-15-2004 11:44 AM ET (US)
My low-buck solution was to stick a cooler under the seat so that the seat can only flex a limited amount. I used one of those multi-colored picnic-basket coolers from Rite-Aid. It fits nicely between the fuel tank and battery box, but the zip ties on the fuel line keep breaking pieces out of the handle.
hardensheetmetal posted 07-15-2004 05:20 PM ET (US)
I learned a lesson today regarding the seat flexing. While I drive the boat, I have a tendancy to grip the back of the seat with my left hand. I was doing this unknowingly, and hit a small wave. The boat came down, and the seat flexed enough to smash my finger between the seat bottom and the top of the fuel tank...won't do that again.
Dan

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Author	Topic: 130 seat support
hardensheetmetal	posted 07-13-2004 12:21 PM ET (US) I have had my 'new to me' 2001 130 for about a month now, and have noticed two things that I don't love about the boat, and was curious if others had the same thoughts. While the boat handles waves and rougher water better than the classic, I have noticed that the trim of the boat is more greatly affected by where I sit when I am driving (alone). I find that with the battery under the helm position and the full fuel tank under the port side, I have to sit almost in the dead middle of the boat to get it to sit and ride level. I don't remember having this problem with any of the classic 13's I have owned. The second observation (gripe) is related to the first. I have noticed that the thwarts do not have as much strength as they look like they should. If I am sitted near the centerline of the boat, and hit even a small wave or wake, the flex of the seat is very noticeable and small sterss cracks are developing along the leading edge of the seat. A single support or stanchion up from the floor to the center of the seat bottom would remedy this problem. I am also not in love with the swoop back console and steering wheel. It makes me feel like I am driving one of those old lady three wheeled bicycles. The steering wheel feels like it is in-your-face. I like the low profile feel of the Classic. I do not totally hate the boat though. The fit and finish are excellent. The ride is very nice compared to the Classic. And I think it is a good value compared to a 25 year old boat/motor/trailer. The area behind the rear seat is like a pick-up truck compared to the classic. Dan
Royboy	posted 07-13-2004 12:54 PM ET (US) Dan, I have the same boat (2001 130 Sport) with a 25 hp. 4 stroke Merc. I have noticed a few things that might interest you. First, my Whaler planes quicker with only me in the boat. With another person sitting beside me, it helps to turn sharply left and then right until one of the sponsons grabs the water and it starts to plane. It rides level with the battery directly under the starbord side of the bench (rear) seat and the fuel tank under the port side of the same seat. This is with my 180 pounds sitting directly aft of the steering wheel, which is closer to center than it is to the starbord gunwhale. I find the wheel height good for standing operation (I'm 5'8" tall) , but I don't have anything to compare it to for sitting because my other boats were tillers. It seems about right height-wise though. The full length seat back is comfortable, but it acts like a sail when up (like when drift fishing). I also have to tie it down when I trailer because the hinges don't look like they'd take too much slamming open. Otherwise, it's plenty sturdy and can support my weight standing on it when it's down with no problem. The boat handles great, even in some pretty heavy boat chop I can keep it on plane as long as I stay above 4500 RPM's. It doesn't seem to take much spray unless you get the wind going the totally wrong way, and even then it's manageable. I had it out on water last week that would shrink my old boat right up around me, but my Whaler felt nice and safe, evn though it's actually a foot shorter. The console isn't pretty like a classic's, but it's sturdy and maintenance free, which I like. Roy
Tin Lid	posted 07-13-2004 01:00 PM ET (US)
sanjaun2	posted 07-13-2004 05:10 PM ET (US) The newer 130's have a support right under the middle of the seat. I would install one before your seat starts cracking on the outboard ends where they attach.
hardensheetmetal	posted 07-14-2004 10:56 PM ET (US) Thanks for the replys. I am wondering if Whaler is selling the seat support as a "fix kit". The way it flexes, you would think they would have made them with a support of somekind from the beginning. Its interesting that the fiberglass thwart is not as strong as the original 1" mahogany on the classics. Dan
Seattlerocket	posted 07-14-2004 11:58 PM ET (US) Same deal, 2002 130 and my BMI busting body is not happy on the bench seat either. Yes the boat tilts to one side unless I am dead center. The screws that hold the seat in have even popped out. Maybe I should go talk to the Washington State dealer to see if they will offer me a fix. But my pipe dream is a custom made up aluminum seat/gas tank/ battery box/tackle storage combo. Bump up the 6.6 gallon tank, provide some tackle drawers and fix the buck board seat all at the same time. Only in my dreams. Since this is my first power boat I am OK with the steering setup I have never known anything else so it is fine by me. And did I mention. I still love the boat. Look for me this Saturday at the Sockeye love in on Lake WA.
Jarhead	posted 07-15-2004 06:54 AM ET (US) I'm sure it goes without saying but something to consider. The newer 130's have wood under the floor in the location of the seat support. If, after a check of the wood location diagram of your 130 you find no floor support I would add a length 12"-14" to the floor of the same material you plan on using for the vertical support.
hardensheetmetal	posted 07-15-2004 11:25 AM ET (US) Jarhead- I agree, I saw a picture either here or elswhere of a seat support that ran down to a piece of starboard on the floor. While I agree that this would be neccesary to distribute the weight across a greater area, it also looks a little half- assed I think. I like seattles idea of a seat with storage that extended down to the floor, sort of like a pick-up truck cross box. Dan
Mako	posted 07-15-2004 11:44 AM ET (US) My low-buck solution was to stick a cooler under the seat so that the seat can only flex a limited amount. I used one of those multi-colored picnic-basket coolers from Rite-Aid. It fits nicely between the fuel tank and battery box, but the zip ties on the fuel line keep breaking pieces out of the handle.
hardensheetmetal	posted 07-15-2004 05:20 PM ET (US) I learned a lesson today regarding the seat flexing. While I drive the boat, I have a tendancy to grip the back of the seat with my left hand. I was doing this unknowingly, and hit a small wave. The boat came down, and the seat flexed enough to smash my finger between the seat bottom and the top of the fuel tank...won't do that again. Dan