Rebuilding/refinishing old fishing boat seats and building a GPS/fishfinder mount.. DIY

NEWB · #1 10-03-2012, 11:21 PM

I thought I would post a little DIY for those who like the DIY projects or looking for a few ideas over the winter...

The projects:

Project 1: Rebuild and Upholster the seat bases for the fishing boat.

Project 2: Build and upholster the GPS/Fishfinder unit holder.

Tools required:

1) Circular Saw
2) Jigsaw
3) 3/4 Thick Pressure treated 4X8 sheet.
4) Pencil and paper to draw out your plan
5) A box of 6 X 1 and 5/8 Nails
6) A box of 3/4 inch Finishing nails and a hammer, or a nail or staple gun
7) 2 Vice grips and a 2 X 4 X 8 if you're working solo and with out a table
8) 4 packages or so of little L Brackets for picture frames, etc. About 1/2 by 1/2 inch.
9) A roll of Bunk or interior boat carpet (color of your choice)
10) Some good tunes and a few beverages of your choice.

Project 1: Rebuild and Upholster the seat bases for the fishing boat.

Measure off what you need for the seat bases. L*W*H. this will give you what you're looking for with a nice secure base.

Figure out the most efficient plan to cut your ugly looking PT 4X8 by 3/4 inch thick board. These boards are about $50.00 a sheet.

I cut mine width wise. This allowed me to build once seat and have a good start to the fish finder on one cut.

Cut the pieces of wood you need. I cut the base first, then I cut the "legs".

Line up the pieces how you want them to fit. Make sure they are nice and flush. Use the L brackets to screw in and secure the base to the legs. When that is done, Nail in the nails on the side to add rigidity to the base. See pics.

Take measurements for dead centre, mark and drill holes for the base.

Start to install the carpet. I started from a bottom edge tacked in a few finishing nails for grip. When you get the the corners, fold them in for a nice clean look.

Once your are finished one strip or side, find the holes for the base, mark them with nails or screws so you can slide the base on with out effort. This saves time..

Finish applying and nailing in the carpet with the finishing nails. When you go to apply the second strip if necessary, line up and have a tight fit.

When you are done, you will have a nice tight seat with a little bit of pizazz.

Pics to come.

Building the GPS/fishfinder holder is very similar. Pics to come.

NEWB · #2 10-03-2012, 11:52 PM

Some pics..

NEWB · #3 10-03-2012, 11:53 PM

more pics

NEWB · #4 10-03-2012, 11:57 PM

GPS Stand build. In progress. Will be completed tomorrow night.

I am raising it up with a 2X6 PT for the final product so I can navigate and not strain while I am looking at this. I will also build a bottom compartment to store things in. I need to lengthen the legs. This is the rough draft....

FishingFrenzy · #5 10-04-2012, 12:09 AM

Can't tell what kind of boat you have but if its aluminum, pressure treated wood is a bad idea. It has something to do with the copper in pressure treating, but it will corrode aluminum.

NEWB · #6 10-04-2012, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishingFrenzy

Can't tell what kind of boat you have but if its aluminum, pressure treated wood is a bad idea. It has something to do with the copper in pressure treating, but it will corrode aluminum.

arg!

It's an aluminum boat. Thanks for the heads up. I did a quick search on Google and you're correct.

Well... Tomorrow I'm picking up some 3/4 spruce. I thought the PT would have worked very well. The wood in the transom is PT and has been there since 1987. It looks like the new chemicals in the PT are more corrosive.

Thanks for the heads up!

EDIT: looks like I can use a poly cover on the bottom, and install another barrier between the aluminum and PT wood and it will be ok....

FishingFrenzy · #7 10-04-2012, 09:34 AM

That would work. I would pull of the transom board and check what kind of damage is under there... You wouldn't want your transom ripping off under full power

NEWB · #8 10-04-2012, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishingFrenzy

That would work. I would pull of the transom board and check what kind of damage is under there... You wouldn't want your transom ripping off under full power

I had the opportunity to check it out when I had the top "facia" piece off for some cosmetic repair. There was no corrosion, or damage. I rivited it back on after the repair and didn't think twice about it.

Lambo · #9 10-04-2012, 09:51 AM

Use marine plywood. Windsor Plywood sells them, it's pricey though.