Helm Boxes to mount pedistal seats

[fdheld34]

Looking for ideas to build helm boxes..I do not need a baitwell etc., just some extra storage. I was thinking of making my own out of plywood and fiberglass....just a simple box and then buy access hatches and mount my peds?!?!.I have seen some boxes on marine fabrication internet sites but they are too much money..Any ideas..or has anyone made their own where they could share pics etc??? I tried a search on this topic but could not locate anything.
Thanks, Fred

[1bayouboy]

I'm thinking the same and would love to see some examples...do you have a Sceptre, Tsunami or Seafari???
I was also thinking of putting batteries in the bottom of the helm boxes and sitting them below the deck level.

[SC302FB]

Got mine from Nautical Design.


http://www.nauticaldesigninc.com/tackle.htm

Expensive but great workmanship.

[fdheld34]

Endured..great looking set up..I checked their web site..got an email back...way out of my price range..mabey someday...just looking for other alternative..
..for my Seafari....storing batteries is a great idea as well....hopefully someone has an inexpensive alternative ...I dont want to spend more on these boxes than what I initially paid for the boat hull!!!!

[fdheld34]

Endured...could you post dimensions of your boxes..I cant fabricate aluminum frame/mounts etc but could build similar box with plywood..obvioulsy on an amateur level. I will make up template and see how dimensions will work in my Seafari.
Thanks, Fred

[McGillicuddy]

Hi Fred, Like Csick nick I tired of pedestal seats so I'm currently making some boxes out of baltic birch made with exterior glue, and my joints are done with epoxy and screws. I've oversized them just a bit in case I decide to use them as molds for glass boxes. If you plan on going the glass route, use MDF for your molds. It's easy to work and far less expensive than ply.

I borrowed the idea from an old Formula 233 that I almost bought. Under port helm I wanted space for a cooler that would hold a few 35" fish on ice, and refreshments. Behind the seat I wanted 2 or 3 rod holders, and somewhere in between, a couple of tackle drawers or trays to hold jigs, pliers or whatever at the ready. Under the helm I want to carry a couple of 6 gallon auxiliary tanks for those less well-planned runs where you start chasing temp breaks or fish, as well as the additional rod storage. Here's a concept pic from the said boat, as mine is not ready to show.




Also check out the mold process strick used in making several thing in his Here we go again thread, The good doctor was kind enough to document much of his undertaking on the resulting fantastic restoration. Billythedkid also has a recent thread with fantastic documentation of his glass fabrication. I know there are some other great threads in the archives but those are a good place to start. Try page 13 or 14 of Stricks for starters. Good luck.

Keep in mind these boxes are on a large 23' as opposed to a small 20' like the Seafari. Their layouts however are very similar. Also, when I mount mine I will be using 1" stainless angle from the inside. Good Luck

[fdheld34]

gil-

Thanks for the pics...never thought of a design like this....think it will be the ticket for a great concept design...I will do some more research on site per your suggestion. Hopefully I can get going again...darned rain
Thanks, Fred

[Bushwacker]

Gillie - interesting to see seating designs evolve to one similar to what Moesly used on the SeaCraft 21 Overnighter in 1961! Check out these seats: SeaCraft 21 I've ridden on the 21' Unohu and those were very comfortable seats that had a ton of storage inside them. The big 3" thick seat cushions were designed to also serve as bunk cushions! The 21' that was for sale up in St. Augustine even had a fold-out 2 burner stove built into the backrest of the rear facing seat!

Fred - Another option, at least for the port side, would be to just try to find a Seafari owner with a galley seat they didn't want. I believe they were standard on the early I/O models. It has room in it for at least one and maybe two 5 gal jugs if you don't use a very big water jug. There's room in the top of it where you could add some tackle drawers on the side aft of the sink section.
The original galley seat did not have an opening in aft side; access is via a large opening in the front. Mine already had an opening rather crudely cut into aft side, so after reinforcing the edges of the hole with a couple of layers of 1708, I covered it with 1/2" PVC foam board and added the square hatch. Denny

[McGillicuddy]

Dennis,
Very interesting, I wonder what the overall length of the seats was. He definitely saved a few inches by staggering the heights of the backrests. I'm sacrificing the aft facing seats for the rod holders and open deck space. I think on the 21 the windshield may have been a little more fore, better accommodating the additional seating. I'm trying to devise a cantilevered seat that slides out over the aft end of the cooler and slides back under the port seat to access the cooler. Not sure if it will work, but I'm drawing it up. Also blew the twin auxiliary tanks idea and settled for 1 tank under the helm and will just carry the other on the cabin floor in front of the main tank. At 19.5" my 6 gal. tanks placed thwarts ship would force the pedestal box to be about an inch wider than I was comfortable with. It doesn't seem like much but with two or 3 guys tugging on tuna or CA yellowtail, that little extra protrusion would be a stumbling block as I see it. I'll try to get some progress pics up if I make any progress. Sometimes I feel like I'm in Congress

[McGillicuddy]

Endured - Wonder if you can expand on your seating foto to show the whole seat config. Is the helm a bolster style seat? How long, fore to aft, is the set up. Looks very efficient. Did you design it and have them build it? Very nice