Has anyone purchased, or made their own, stern-rail ('catbird') seats? Do you like them, are they comfortable -- even though there isn't a bump-out in the back of the rail like on the new boats? I've seen them for sale on line (about $225/pair) and we've considered trying to make them, but I was hoping to get some feedback first from others who have them. Thanks!
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J.B. Dyer
Make them
Diane, I have an 83 O34 with the standard stern rails. There are stern seats available for my model, however, I have an arch. Any seats that I may have ordered would have had to be altered to fit. Therefore, if I was going to have to do alterations anyway, I went with building my own. Starboard, stainless fittings, stainless rod, screws and rail clamps ran me about 125. After making a cardboard pattern, it took me about an hour apiece to fabricate them. All that is needed is a sabersaw, drill, router, and a little time. I even put drink holders in using nylon webbing. Yes they are comfortable and the best seat in the cockpit. I'll be at the lake this weekend, if your interested, I'll take a photo and post it to give you some idea what they look like.
Diane, I have an 83 O34 with the standard stern rails. There are stern seats available for my model, however, I have an arch. Any seats that I may have ordered would have had to be altered to fit. Therefore, if I was going to have to do alterations anyway, I went with building my own. Starboard, stainless fittings, stainless rod, screws and rail clamps ran me about 125. After making a cardboard pattern, it took me about an hour apiece to fabricate them. All that is needed is a sabersaw, drill, router, and a little time. I even put drink holders in using nylon webbing. Yes they are comfortable and the best seat in the cockpit. I'll be at the lake this weekend, if your interested, I'll take a photo and post it to give you some idea what they look like.
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Dave Mauney
Picture would help
JB We have an O35 and since our boats are similar would sure appreciate a photo. Thanks Good Winds Dave s/v DAMWEGAS
JB We have an O35 and since our boats are similar would sure appreciate a photo. Thanks Good Winds Dave s/v DAMWEGAS
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J.B. Dyer
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Diane D
Stern Rail Pics & Directions?
J.B., that would be great! We have an arch too, so the corners are lower than the center of that back seating area. ('87 O'Day 322) Hadn't really thought about that before your post. I like to sit in that back corner, facing forward, for the beginning of the sail (helps with my seasickness.) But the seat is too low so I'm actually up on the edge of the deck -- usually sitting on one of those sqare flotation cushions with another one behind my back. We have the starboard material but just haven't worked out the plans. I've been thinking about asking someone to let me trace the shape and size of the seats that I see on the newer boats. (Last season we did start working on a piece of plywood and traced around my backside while I was sitting on it ... but that's as far as we got!) So any photo's, specs or plans you have would be greatly appreciated.
J.B., that would be great! We have an arch too, so the corners are lower than the center of that back seating area. ('87 O'Day 322) Hadn't really thought about that before your post. I like to sit in that back corner, facing forward, for the beginning of the sail (helps with my seasickness.) But the seat is too low so I'm actually up on the edge of the deck -- usually sitting on one of those sqare flotation cushions with another one behind my back. We have the starboard material but just haven't worked out the plans. I've been thinking about asking someone to let me trace the shape and size of the seats that I see on the newer boats. (Last season we did start working on a piece of plywood and traced around my backside while I was sitting on it ... but that's as far as we got!) So any photo's, specs or plans you have would be greatly appreciated.
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Pete Dodenhoff
Check these out...
Diane: Click on the link for a DIY variation on the stern rail seat. The design could probably use some refinement, but it gets the general idea. I've also seen something similar with a piece of 1" stainless tubing as the support leg (with a rubber furniture tip to prevent marring). Peter
Diane: Click on the link for a DIY variation on the stern rail seat. The design could probably use some refinement, but it gets the general idea. I've also seen something similar with a piece of 1" stainless tubing as the support leg (with a rubber furniture tip to prevent marring). Peter
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J.B. Dyer
Make them 2
I'd be glad to Diane. Like I told Dave, I'll be at the lake this weekend and I'll take several photos to give you some idea. The great thing about making them yourself is that the pattern can be adjusted to your boat and to your backside. Makes everybody happy. I even helm the boat from mine as they are close enough to the wheel from either side. I'll post them Monday, probably in the Photo/Project forum. I'll let you know what the caption is when I get them posted.
I'd be glad to Diane. Like I told Dave, I'll be at the lake this weekend and I'll take several photos to give you some idea. The great thing about making them yourself is that the pattern can be adjusted to your boat and to your backside. Makes everybody happy. I even helm the boat from mine as they are close enough to the wheel from either side. I'll post them Monday, probably in the Photo/Project forum. I'll let you know what the caption is when I get them posted.
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Diane D
Thanks All
Pete, I can't access the photo -- the link brings me to the message and I went to the message directly through the photo album, but I'm not getting any photo's. JB, I'll await your photo's and additional info! THANKS! Hope you all get to sail this weekend ...
Pete, I can't access the photo -- the link brings me to the message and I went to the message directly through the photo album, but I'm not getting any photo's. JB, I'll await your photo's and additional info! THANKS! Hope you all get to sail this weekend ...
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Ed
My "new" 322 has the stern rail seats that look similar to the ones available on this site, the're easy to remove and hinged to allow access to the small lazarettes and allow for a great view over the dodger and cabin.
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J.B. Dyer
Diane/Dave
Due to storms and bad weather in general, I got home earlier than I expected to and had time to get this done. I have posted a series of 5 pictures in the Photo/Project under O'Day 34 Stern Seats. This is a very straight forward project and the pictures pretty much tell the story. Your design is not limited to mine, this was just the best for me. Hope this helps and if I can be of any further assistance, let me know. Luck with it! J.B.
Due to storms and bad weather in general, I got home earlier than I expected to and had time to get this done. I have posted a series of 5 pictures in the Photo/Project under O'Day 34 Stern Seats. This is a very straight forward project and the pictures pretty much tell the story. Your design is not limited to mine, this was just the best for me. Hope this helps and if I can be of any further assistance, let me know. Luck with it! J.B.
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Pete Dodenhoff
How 'bout those doors?
J.B.: I noticed in your photos the snazzy looking companionway doors. Did you make them yourself or have them done for you? If DIY, do you have plans available, or know where they can be acquired? The doors are a nice switch from standard plexi hatch boards. Pete 322/272LE Little Silver, NJ
J.B.: I noticed in your photos the snazzy looking companionway doors. Did you make them yourself or have them done for you? If DIY, do you have plans available, or know where they can be acquired? The doors are a nice switch from standard plexi hatch boards. Pete 322/272LE Little Silver, NJ
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J.B. Dyer
Pete
Sorry Pete, I can't take credit for those. The previous owner made them and other than the doors, there is no pattern. Same thing applies, if it would help, I would be glad to try to take some closeup photos and post them if you think you could work from them. They are made with a series of teak strips glued and screwed together, and are really complex. They are really nice though, they have screens in addition to slip out/in plexiglass panels. I really appreciate his efforts on these things. There is an outfit called Cruising Concepts that markets something similar but I have no idea of what their price range is. I tried to attach their web site but it wouldn't come up. It's www.cruisingconcepts.com
Sorry Pete, I can't take credit for those. The previous owner made them and other than the doors, there is no pattern. Same thing applies, if it would help, I would be glad to try to take some closeup photos and post them if you think you could work from them. They are made with a series of teak strips glued and screwed together, and are really complex. They are really nice though, they have screens in addition to slip out/in plexiglass panels. I really appreciate his efforts on these things. There is an outfit called Cruising Concepts that markets something similar but I have no idea of what their price range is. I tried to attach their web site but it wouldn't come up. It's www.cruisingconcepts.com
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Pete Dodenhoff
Companionway doors
J.B.: Thanks. Before you go and photograph your own boat, I'll see if I can get anywhere with the photos on the Cruising Concepts web site. There are several pics, and they look very much like what I saw on your boat. Their prices start at $575, and go up quickly, depending on features. I can't imagine how much teak I'd have to screw up to go through $575 worth. Pete
J.B.: Thanks. Before you go and photograph your own boat, I'll see if I can get anywhere with the photos on the Cruising Concepts web site. There are several pics, and they look very much like what I saw on your boat. Their prices start at $575, and go up quickly, depending on features. I can't imagine how much teak I'd have to screw up to go through $575 worth. Pete
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J.B. Dyer
OK Pete
Let me know if you need any assistance. Keep in mind that doors that I have are used in conjunction with the regular hatch boards, they do not replace them. They kind of work like a screen door on your house.
Let me know if you need any assistance. Keep in mind that doors that I have are used in conjunction with the regular hatch boards, they do not replace them. They kind of work like a screen door on your house.
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