Fiberglass box seats - Tsunami/ Sceptre

[abl1111]

Starting to think about fabricating fiberglass boxes that will mount to the floor of my Tsunami, one near the Capt's helm, the other near the passenger. They will each have a pedestal seat mounted on the top.

One will be used for tackle drawers/storage and the other, I think I want to use for a fish box. I had a 20' Grady White that had really small boxes like this; one for tackle the other was a rope locker. For the SeaCraft, I want something a little larger i.e. for those 30-35lb bass!

I'm really tried of 're-inventing the wheel', now that I'm near the end of my resto, so I would gladly copy anyone who has done this or has any ideas on it. Most importantly, I'd like ideas on the overall dimensions of these boxes. I know newer Sceptres come w/ some kind of fiberglass box, but the seats typically mount directly onto the box ( no pedestal ) - and I want a small pedestal - it gives your feet somewhere to go.

The fiberglass box fabrication aspect, thx to this site, I have pretty much figured out. However, other parts like the tackle drawers and slides I have no idea about.

Thx,

Alan

[Dave Hirshberg]

Alan, I didn't have the boxes either and wish I had. It would have been nice to have that extra storage and its hard to get everybody to move to get into that floor hatch. If I were to do it over I'd split that hatch in half and have two ways to get in it. I don't know if I'd do two seat boxes (because of the offset between the port and stbd seats) but one under the port seat would have really helped.
Dave

[abl1111]

Dave,

You bring up a few good points.

First, I have the same hatch in the floor that I've already ripped the old core out of. It never was used as a hatch - it had a fuel tank under it. Now that the fuel tank is removed for good, I want to use it as a storage w/ a hinged hatch.

I was thinking about cutting it in half or so (maybe 1/3 & 2/3). Would you recommend leaving the forward hatch solidly screwed in and have the aft hatch be hinged, or both hinged. And, if you leave the forward hatch screwed in, would you install hinges for the aft hatch to the forward hatch, thus having the hatch open forward, or just install the hinges on the sides ? And, did you figure out a way to keep your hatch water-proof ?

I also noticed that you mounted your pedestal seats offset. My boat has them equal - dead across from one another ( even though the capt dash is more aft than the pass. dash ). Until I build the boxes, I am going to mount the ped seats to the floor. Would you recommend mounting them offset like yours ?

And, I cannot see any (-) w/ building two boxes; one for capt, and pass. Can you explain why you think this would be a problem.

Thx - sorry for all the (?), but like I said before - I'M BURNED-OUT a bit !!!!

alan


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Alan, I didn't have the boxes either and wish I had. It would have been nice to have that extra storage and its hard to get everybody to move to get into that floor hatch. If I were to do it over I'd split that hatch in half and have two ways to get in it. I don't know if I'd do two seat boxes (because of the offset between the port and stbd seats) but one under the port seat would have really helped

[ScottM]

Alan,
My father's Sceptre has the boxes, which are molded into the deck. Both seats sit on 6-8" pedestals so you have that place to rest your feet. The lids are aft of the seats and hinge on the forward edge. There used to be overboard drains in each box, but we sealed them up due to that good old bow-down attitude - the drains were just below the water line. We don't use them for fish or drinks, only for dry (or somewhat dry) storage, so draining is not that big a deal. If I had to guess, the boxes are maybe 24-28" long (fore/aft), 20" wide and maybe 20" deep.

[Dave Hirshberg]

Abl,
I'll try and address all the questions. First I'd cut the lid and mount both on hinges. The front opening fwd is not a bad idea. The problem I had is when you opened the hatch you had to hold it open or it would slam shut on your toes. I could'nt keep the hatch waterproof although its only a problem if your boat stays in the water all the time. I've gotta look back at some pictures and see if just the dash was offset or the pedestals too to answer the rest.
Dave

[Dave Hirshberg]

OK,
Definitely the pedsetals were offset, and I used the origional holes so it must have come that way. The reason I said one box is because I had less room behind the drivers side than the passenger side. I liked the open deck and used to put my large cooler behind me on the deck.

[abl1111]

Scott,

Thx for those specs from your Dad's boat ped boxes. If you could get me exact measurements - that would be great !!!!

I would be planning on one box dry ( tackle ) and the other w/ a drain - I like the thru hull drain - was that a problem for you other than the boat leaning forward - I hope I do not have this problem - won't know until I put 'er in. I forget, why does your boat lean forward ?
Is that a common problem w/ Tsuanmi/Sceptres and why ?

[abl1111]

Dave,

Hmmm. I like the idea of the floor hatch cut in two pcs. Water proofing the seal is a thing I have been thinking about. It is a real PITA. Many boats w/ that type of hatch have like a 'gutter" and a drain hole for the water to gather and exit. My best option would be for a pc of closed cell rubber w/ a really good adhesive glue to mount to the hatch itself. Then, have some kind of very positive turn latch to dog it down, compressing the gasket and keeping most of the water out - otherwise, it will always be damp in there. I have thought of just placing a covered plastic box in there - but hey! , I'm building my dream boat - and that is not part of my ultimate vision !

As for the pedestal seats - mine are original installs and they are equally placed, unlike yours ( i.e. mine are directly across from one another ). So, the pass. seat seems really far from the dash. At this point, I could do anything when re-mounting, cause at some point I will have these fiberglass boxes...

[ScottM]

I like the thru hull drain - was that a problem for you other than the boat leaning forward - I hope I do not have this problem - won't know until I put 'er in. I forget, why does your boat lean forward ?
Is that a common problem w/ Tsuanmi/Sceptres and why ?

Alan,
Sure, I can get you exact measurements, but right now the boat is shrinkwrapped and behind a locked gate that I don't have the key for. The thru-hull drain wasn't a problem per se, we just didn't like the idea of a thru-hull below the waterline that wasn't absolutely necessary. I believe the outboard Sceptres lean forward due to the additional weight of the deck and the 144 gal. fuel tank. With a single I/O, I know you won't have this problem. Jack from this site has an '85 I/O (260hp MerCruiser) and it sits correctly.