Sliding cooler seat removal

[CapeBoater1]

Does anyone know if there is a way to remove the sliding bench seat on a 1974 20 SF without unscrewing the rails on the deck that it slides on. There does not appear to be enough room to slide it off backwards and there does not appear to be a release. It seems logical that you could remove seat without removing rails though!

[Capt Chuck]

The cooler seat also has a metal slide that is screwed into the bottom of it which connects to the metal sleeve that is screwed to the deck. Access to those screws can only be reached if the cooler was upside down. Therefore, It should slide out.

You might want to check with forum member "Luis" as he just removed his off his 20'.

[CapeBoater1]

Thanks! That is exactly what I thought but was unable to slide it off. I only tried briefly though so it is quite possible it will come off. Is it normal behavor to be crawling around in a seacraft that's tarped, removing teak?? I figured no better time than the present to start getting ready for spring. I will try Luis.

[Bryan A.]

This time of year in the northest under the tarp is the only way to do it . I have my cuddy set up with a small ceramic heater to take the chill off while I get the interior up to par. Good luck under there!

[CapeBoater1]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one out in the cold! If I could only get this seat off without taking up the rails I'd be all set. I even looked at the 1975 owners manual on the site. It tell how to move it, but does not mention taking it off.

[dcobbett]

SwampYankee,

Mine (on a 1976 20' SF) slide right off with room to spare in front of the splashwell. The track has holes in it that take the pins (verticle) from 2 gate type slide bolts that are attached to the forward corners of the box. Here's a picture of the tracks with the positioning holes that's on my boat. Thet are the small holes; the large ones are for the fasteners that hold the track to the deck. You can also see the dirt mark the the left hand edge of the seat left on the track.
[image][/image]

Looking forward to seeing photo's of your boat. I'm working under a blue tarp as well. New tank is due next week, hope to have the tank coffin cover done by then. Next step is to rehab the console (inside, in the cellar), then scuppers, re-wire and hope to get an engine and have it ready for this season.

[CapeBoater1]

Thanks for the info! My seat has the same rails and bolts setup. It must slide off backwards also. I brought the boat home last weekend Saturday, and quickly covered it before we got that snowstorm. Consequently I did not have a lot of time to play with it. I will head back out today and see if I can't get that seat out! If it comes off it will give me room to pull off the teak doors on the console. Oh, I am also working out of the basement! Just fired the woodstove to keep me warm down there!

[toppintom]

hi Matt,
good luck with your new/old boat. I used to live in orleans now I'm in harwichport. I have a 20 ft seafari I'm working on (boy it was cold yesterday). I also know at least a half dozen seacraft owners in the area. If you need any help or need to look at any boats for ideas give me a shout. tomseafari@yahoo.com I'll look for you in front off the lighthouse in chatham. great fishing right by the hooter bouy. when it gets a little i mean alot warmer

[CapeBoater1]

Thanks! I just managed to get that seat out! Man, what a project. It did not slide far enough back, even though it was all the way back the rails went to far back. so I started unscrewing one, I figured I would take one rail off and be done with it. Well it looks as though someone used 5200 or some sealent when they screwed it back on! Only 3 screws came out with two left. It did give me enough flex in the rail to get it off. I'm not sure how easy it will be to get it back on! Tommy, hopefully I'll sea you off Chatham.