Helm Seat Cooler Remove & Replace

Levity · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 9:39 pm Post subject: Helm Seat Cooler Remove & Replace

Levity's helm seat cooler was never used as a cooler. The space inside the cooler was used as a storage locker. It served fairly well for storage except it wasted a lot of the space available under the helm seat. The wasted space wasn't enough to inspire me to remove the cooler but the leaking through hull drain did inspire me to eliminate this needless hole through the hull and by extension the cooler itself.
Since the saw was going to be running and the sawdust flying it made sense to solve another irritating problem. This second problem was the small raised StarBoard deck area under the settee table. This small deck space was easily soiled by shoes as folks sat at the table. Cleaning it required scrubbing with Barkeepers or something like it.
Sitting in the shop was a quantity of left over cherry and poplar that could be cobbled together to make something serviceable. Here's the process:
Plug in the saw, measure thrice, add some elbow grease, a few spicy words to assist with verbal persuasion and what results is a serviceable new deck with hatch, a drawer, and storage locker!
Next to the Barber Chair these are the best improvements to date of Levity's interior.
To supplement these words with images you can check page 2 of Levity's photo album.
Mike Levity

breausaw · Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 12:37 am Post subject:

Nice job of cobbling, but I would hesitate to put my dirty boat shoes on something so refined; it would be kindling after a couple of seasons with my family. That space does need a bigger hatch, I’m just thinking of installing a large bomar type hatch there. I toss a cut to fit piece of ridged industrial type rubber backed rug in that area; gets pressure washed every few trips.
I am for cutting out as much of that heavy ¾” particle board on my boat as possible.
BTW, the galley/dinette/ settee table on Triple J is located to Port.

SEA3PO · Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 12:28 pm Post subject:

Beautiful job...sure wish I could work with wood like that...I am impressed !

Joel
SEA3PO

Doryman · Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 10:34 pm Post subject:

Mike,

Is there a thread here that talks about this helm seat:

Where did you get it, the manufacturer, stock #, etc? Or is it a factory seat?

Thanks!
Warren

Chester · Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 1:08 am Post subject:

Warren, I picked up a Garelick 690 Citation High Back Premium Fold Down Seat for our 22 Cruiser. It is possibly the single best modification the boat has had.
On the 22 and probably other C-Dorys the better seat greatly reduces the space between the wheel and seat. In our case it works because Adrienne and I have bird legs.
Tilt and-or smaller diameter steering wheels can help here,

Doryman · Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 3:05 am Post subject:

Levity · Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 7:52 am Post subject:

Warren,

The helm seat was purchased from Bass Pro Shops. The following link will take you to the online catalog page detailing the seat:
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_90501_225008000_225000000
They have a large selection of boat seats and the in-store inventory is deep making it possible to see and try the product before purchasing.
I do not have any financial connection to Bass Pro Shops, just thought they were a good place to purchase a helm seat.

Joel,

Thank you for the kind words.

Mike "Levity"