Cockpit Seats

[guidera48]

I posted to the owners mods page this item last month but I dont see it yet uploaded. I did find my Anchor Locker Mod and my Bow Rail seat Mod posted. It looks like we are some of the more prolific mod listers. We do love our boats
I always had trouble opening the seats since I could never find the depress area to stick my fingers in. Last summer, I decided to make a couple of grab rails so I could open the seats quicker. I used some mahogany strips left over and routed a profile on it. No particular one, just hapenned to have an ogee bit on the router table. I made 4 pieces and cut them to lengh. Rounded the ends also so it could not bight me. Predrilled and screwed from the inside. Now I can raise the seats without any problems. Might cut a space in the middle to add a hasp later on. I dont know if I will need to lock them up with padlocks.
You will notice that Max (maximus) is hard at work in one of the pictures.

 

[rtmccue]

I have to say i like the seats but the dog in the back looks like he had a long day,, This is our first season in 14 years without Gilligan our sailing Beagle. enjoy

 

[Ed Schenck]

I admire your work ethic and ingenuity Jose. Fortunately my boat already had the hasps. I use those as handles to open the lockers. And I do lock them.

Picture makes me miss my ten year old Wire Fox Terrier. When I became a caregiver she had to go live with my daughter, four hours away.

 

[Jim Legere]

Re: Cockpit Seats / locker lids

José,

I can't emphasize enough how critical it is to have a secure way to close the locker lids - hasp, latch etc. It is also worthwhile investigating ways to improve the sealing (watertighness) of the lids using weatherstipping or other means. In the event of pooping (by a wave), knockdown or other catastrophe, downflooding through the cockpit lockers could quickly sink the boat. I know none of us envision being in these situations, but it happens. An old salt, who had a circumnavigation to boast of, said to me: "Sit on your boat. Now imagine everything upside down. Which lockers come open and what flies out of them? Those are the ones you have to fix." Sobering thoughts indeed.

 

[jorgefife]

Dear Guidera 48
A slight correction if you will allow me: Max is hard at work in TWO of the pictures
I like the idea, and I think I will do something similar... with hasps, as suggested.
I have hasps already, and when I installed them, I followed the suggestins given that you must install them in such a way that if they shoulkd close with you inside ( heaven forbid), you can still open them from the inside...