Removing a bench seat ?

[stanimals2]

I have a 14ft aluminum Sylvan V hull boat that I would like to remove the front bench from. It already has a platform floor below the benches and this would really open up the bow and allow more rome for a swivel seat. I have 2 questions

1. Will this weaken the bow of the boat ?
2. It is rivited in how would I seal the rivet hole on the side of the hull ?

Thanks, Stan

[sparkie51]

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