Thread: removing part of a bench seat?

The seat adds strength to the sides of the boat. Just make sure you leave enough there and fastened in a way to still retain the strength. Maybe braces fastened to the floor?

I have done it before on an old 14' utility tracker I used to fish out of. All you need to do is. Drill a hole big enough to get in a jigsaw blade, and then cut your bench out. What you need to remember is that inside the bench seats is full of styrofoam, which help the boat float. So in other words, you need to find somewhere else to put it. And you don't want to take out too much of your brace or the boat will buckle. In my small boat I cut out the rear and middle bench, and took the foam and added sort of like a wall all the way around the boat and put the foam back in. Worked fine, never had any trouble sometimes fishing 3 guys out of the boat. But I used it on trolling motor only lakes, I don't think I would remove too much and then go motoring across a lake with an outboard. It takes a little work, and thought depending on how your boat is set up.

I wouldn't do it, not only does that bench reinforce your boat... but it also contains your floatation foam!

You will compromise the structural and safety integrity of your boat with a modification like that.

mmaveal, Go for it, many manufacturers offer the same hulls as walkthru or full bench seat. Those with a walkthru usually have a compartment on each side that adds the strength needed. Do the same thing by leaving some of the seat on each side.

I've Taken The Middle Seat Out Of At Least A Half Dozen Boat. The Latest Is A 15 Foot Lowe Which Was East As It Wasn't Attached T;o The Bottom Just The Sides. Grind The Rivets Off On The Inside Down To The Seat Metal And Just Pop The Seat Out. Iv'e Never Had A Problem Did Put Foam Back. And Use My 10 Hp Johnson On All Of Them... A Little Expoxy On The Remaining Rivets An Your Set.. Don't Take The Rivets Out..