Purchase " box seats "
 

Eventually, I would like to remove the pedestal seats on my 23 Tsumani and install (2) 'box seats'.

If I could have my way:

The helm seat would ideally be a big fiberglass box ( rectangled shape ) mounted directly to the floor via epoxy, thru-bolts, angled mounts or a combo of these things.

A short pedestal seat or a bump seat would be mounted on the front edge. The helm box would have a tackle storage area w/ drawers and a door w/ maybe some room for a rope locker. A cutting board on top-rear of this box would be nice too.

The passenger box would have the same seating but be insulated for ice and room for 40+ lb bass ( aaahh, visions of granduer )...

I want something more permanent than a cooler seat. Any ideas for purchasing this, or am I going to end up building this too ?!

Thx.

Re: Purchase " box seats "
 

Abl1111, check these guys out: www.nauticaldesigninc.com
They have simular of what your talking.

Re: Purchase " box seats "
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's it? 40 pound bass? Sheet, I want a record tick over 80 pounder [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ... Especially with that stretch we have between Cuttyhunk - Block - Montauk - Fishers, we gots to get the next record in our area - again (can't leave it to the Joisey Boys any longer [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] )

Re: Purchase " box seats "
 

Chris,

Thx for that site - it is what I'm talking about, however the prices on those things are in the stratosphere. To do what I want would cost easily over $4000... That's a lot of $$ dough $$ just for a place to put my butt and some hooks, lures, ropes, and live fish... I will have to re-evaluate how I'll do this... If anyone knows a less expensive option, I'm all ears.

John,

From your mouth to 'the man's' ears. Amen. I have been hunting for big fish here in and around the Great South Bay. A 40lb'er is a nice fish anyday ! You have some nice fishing and blue water by you ! A lot of nooks and cranny's ! In the Fall, we try and catch the fish that make it past the gaunlet of Maine, Rhode Isle, and Montauk... Let a big one go by for me, huh ?

Re: Purchase " box seats "
 

I don't recall saying anything about cheap. Is there such a word in the boat restoration world in which we live [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]
I'm so freak'n screwed up, I'm redoing transoms in my sleep. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Re: Purchase " box seats "
 

Chris - I hear ya about the $ flying out... I'm trying to do my boat totally right, on a tight budget on my own.

I just re-did my fuel tank ( epoxy and awlgrip - a little overkilll but I had extra awlgrip )and both my hatches. I am waiting to see if someone around by me wants to buy my (2) 4 cyl i/o's. Then, I will be ripping out the transom, sealing the (2) i/o holes, ripping out the engine beds and reglassing a new pair in - and installing a new V8.

When I don't itch from fiberglass, I feel I have been slacking....

- Alan

Re: Purchase " box seats "
 

Alan, your redoing a twin i/o too? Mine is a '72 23CC. I plan on putting a hermco bracket and twin OB's.
I get tired just looking at it or thinking about it.

Re: Purchase " box seats "
 

Chris,

Yup - doing the 'ole switch'aroo... I bought the boat from Fla. via a friend of a friend.

It's a 1975 23' Tsunami. I wanted the cuddy version of the 23'. The only negative for this model is the very limited access to the bow ( I have a 20' Grady overnighter that gives me great access and a lot of storage ). However, the Grady is a 'pounder' and ready for a new outboard, so I reasoned that now is the time to upgrade. It was between a Seacraft and a 25 Bertram "moppie". This Seacraft came up first.

My Seacraft has (2) 140HP i/o's - mid 1980's w/ older generation alpha drives. The transom has to be re-done no matter what ( from the inside ) and (1) motor has a blown timing chain, the other runs.

I've reviewed all the options. An i/o is NOT my dream scenario; and re-installing (2) new i/o's is the easier project, but seems like twice the headache down the road.

A single o/b seems like it would always be run @ high RPM's - two outboards is the ultimate I think. Believe me, if $ were not an issue, I would go w/ (2) HPDI, or (2) 4 stroke outboards. That's also twice the headache... Not to mention the motors are very $$$, the bracket is very $$$... So.....

(1) big, new i/o w/ a bullet-proof bravo 2 drive is where I'm headed. I'm very meticulous so I know the motor and drive will be well cared for.

As for doing the work. I've taken on projects like this before ( re-doing sailboats, re-building engines ) - but this is a big undertaking. A little at a time. No doubt there are going to be days where I want to sink the damn @#$%^& thing. That's the beauty of fading memory; in a year from now, when I'm fishing - it will all be a distant, fading memory of blood, sweat and tears.. and of course, fiberglass dust...

Re: Purchase " box seats "
 

abl,

They call it "romance". Finster, myself and probably Trayder about now might call it bummer. It's very time consuming. Probably more from the day dream perspective. After 3 months of intense renovation, I'm taking a break to mow the lawn for the first time in, oh let's see, SEVEN AND A HALF FREAKING MONTHS!

Try to consider your wife's perspective. That'll slow you down.

Otto

Re: Purchase " box seats "
 

I always say ya got to do what ya gotta do. My only problem is the boat is starting to take a front seat to work. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] And my wife cracks me up with comments like "aren't you getting a little carried away" [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] ......typical.

Re: Purchase " box seats "
 

Romance ? Yes. Definitely. But, it also comes down to dollars and " sense " too.

How else can I obtain a very good boat within my financial means ? As we all know, these boats have a great pedigree. They are classic because like old corvettes and Rita Hayworth, they have stood the test of time - and come out on top. They are worth the effort.

How many websites are there for " Classic Bayliner ", or so many other poorly designed, poorly manufactured boats out there. I say brothers and sister's; can I get an " Amen " ?

I have a hell of a lot of work to do. I'll do it and I'll bitch and moan about it. If I had the $, I would buy one done already, or have someone do it for me. So, I'm sticking to 'Plan B' - do it myself. Unless of course you guys want to do the 'Amish thing ', and collectively help me build 'my barn' ?

Goot Day...

- Alan

Re: Purchase " box seats "
 

Prediction - When you guys are done, you're gonna really enjoy running that boat, more than if you just bought it.And, you're gonna really enjoy the compliments you receive, more than if you just bought it.
The weird thing is that all these hours of dust in your eyes, itchin all over, working on a boat while everyone else is fishing will fade into an overall pleasant memory that part of you will actually miss.It's very weird - or maybe just I am.
I guess we'll see.....
Bill

Re: Purchase " box seats "
 

I agree with you guys. It's diffinatly worth while in the end.
I got the transom ground out today, thanks to a friends help, and that is not an easy job, rotten or not!
Of coarse were not friends anymore, but what the hell, another task another friend. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
(he's still bitch'n about his itchy arms [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] )

Re: Purchase " box seats "
 

Alan,good to hear things are starting to happen with your project.Do yourself a favor though-forget the bravo 2.Its not the right power train for this boat,as itwas designed for very heavy family cruiser type boats.Stay with the bravo 1-its bullet proof and race tested,or if money permits,consider the bravo 3 duoprop-know aguy in montauk with this drive and the 5 litre efi,he's happy with it(a little on the slow side,however).A good guy to talk to is Gene at burnetts in bayshore(repair yard,not the marina).He's repowered Eric Ramsey's(real estate broker on li)23 cc i/o several times.He's currently running a bravo 3 with a 350 mag mpi,and it seems to be the best set up he's tried.If you want to save some $ you can go my route(260hp efi w/alfa gen2) Ishould be in the water in a week or to and i'd be glad to give you a test ride.good luck'
bobfish21

Re: Purchase " box seats "
 

Bob,

Hi, Yeah, things are progressing slowly but surely. I need to sell/get rid of my current (2) i/o's so I can get into the transom area and start removing it. Once that is moving forward, I will feel like I am getting somewhere.

As for Gene @ Burnett's. I know of him. From what I hear, he is a good mechanic at top dollar. I've been trying for (2) months to get him to drive 1 mile to my boat to check out the engines ( via a friend, he mentioned that he might want them for a few $ ). Because of his 'flakiness', I am shying away from him a bit - i.e he knows that I will be looking for a full mercruiser package $$$ - I think it would be a good investment on his behalf ( a 20 minute investment ) for him to check out my motors. We'll see.

As for Eric Ramsey, I know of him too and his yellow 23 CC. Beautiful boat. I believe he currently has the 300 HP, 5.7 w/ Bravo 3.

As for a ride on your boat - any time !! I'd love to check it out. Thanks. Give me call anytime/day, my cell is (516) 458-0043. I'd like to see all the work you did and to get ideas as to how I will proceed w/ my project.

Beleive it or not, I still wrestle w/ the engine conversion; (1) i/o vs (1 or 2) o/b's. I have not actually firmly priced out either option. My gut tells me that the (2) o/b's w/ a bracket will be a lot of $$$ - although this is the option I prefer.

Oh, and w/ re: to the Bravo 1 vs. 2: I know the BR 1 is a good drive and more for speed, but I have also heard that the 2 is just as good & spins a bigger wheel w/ more torque. I am not a speed demon, and torque is more important to me. Any negatives w/ the Bravo 2 ?

Thx. - Alan