CD 22 Cruiser Transom Seat Options
- Thread starter Duke
- Start date
Duke-
I'm sure you'll get a variety of options here, so I'll let others that have fold down bench seats and other options describe those. However, I have heard that the more permanently mounted fold down bench seats in the rear make it harder to access the bilge well, and everything else behind them and under the transom.
What I have is simply a 120 quart cooler with a padded top. This works great for a seat while doing its primary job as a cooler. The factory ice-box under the helm seat is notoriously small and difficult to use (often replaced with a shelf/cabinet at no additional charge). So one must have the cooler anyway unless going for an electric refrigerator such as a Norcold, which is a big battery consuming convenience and about $900, unless you install it yourself for about $600.
The large cooler can also be used as a "double insulated" unit in real hot weather, where a smaller cooler can be put inside it, giving extra insulation, and the extra left over space can then be used either as dry storage or extra single insulated cold storage with ice in it.
A simple adaption of this would be to use two smaller coolers instead of one, so as to have two smaller seats that can be moved about as needed. When a cooler is placed along side the gunnel, parallel with the longitudinal axis of the boat, it also serves as a step when entering the boat, but might require some shimming to keep it sitting flat on the slightly angled up sides of the floor/hull.
Like anchoring systems, there are a lot of alternatives here, and the best one depends on your individual needs. Joe.
I'm sure you'll get a variety of options here, so I'll let others that have fold down bench seats and other options describe those. However, I have heard that the more permanently mounted fold down bench seats in the rear make it harder to access the bilge well, and everything else behind them and under the transom.
What I have is simply a 120 quart cooler with a padded top. This works great for a seat while doing its primary job as a cooler. The factory ice-box under the helm seat is notoriously small and difficult to use (often replaced with a shelf/cabinet at no additional charge). So one must have the cooler anyway unless going for an electric refrigerator such as a Norcold, which is a big battery consuming convenience and about $900, unless you install it yourself for about $600.
The large cooler can also be used as a "double insulated" unit in real hot weather, where a smaller cooler can be put inside it, giving extra insulation, and the extra left over space can then be used either as dry storage or extra single insulated cold storage with ice in it.
A simple adaption of this would be to use two smaller coolers instead of one, so as to have two smaller seats that can be moved about as needed. When a cooler is placed along side the gunnel, parallel with the longitudinal axis of the boat, it also serves as a step when entering the boat, but might require some shimming to keep it sitting flat on the slightly angled up sides of the floor/hull.
Like anchoring systems, there are a lot of alternatives here, and the best one depends on your individual needs. Joe.
The factory bench seat has worked great for me; also have a padded cooler for additional space if needed. I haven't found the bench to impede access to the bilge well too badly - perhaps a little tight at times, but for me worth the trade-off. I found the underside of the seat a convenient place to mount a battery charger. Put some photos up for you: http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?op=m ... me=album28
The legs detach and can be stashed down in the bilge well or up underneath the seat.
The legs detach and can be stashed down in the bilge well or up underneath the seat.
Hello Duke,
The folding bench seat does somewhat hinder one's view and access to the area between the tanks. I do not find this hindrance significant. The bench seat makes a wide, sturdy step for egress and access of the cockpit when stepping to or from a dock. One steps from the cockpit floor to the bench to the lazarette cover then onto the dock. This procedure provides for large, stable areas for secure foot placement. It is also a convenient step when using the swim platform. The bench seat is also a convenient work bench. I find it long and wide enough to nap on. Folded down it is unobtrusive.
Mike 'Levity'
The folding bench seat does somewhat hinder one's view and access to the area between the tanks. I do not find this hindrance significant. The bench seat makes a wide, sturdy step for egress and access of the cockpit when stepping to or from a dock. One steps from the cockpit floor to the bench to the lazarette cover then onto the dock. This procedure provides for large, stable areas for secure foot placement. It is also a convenient step when using the swim platform. The bench seat is also a convenient work bench. I find it long and wide enough to nap on. Folded down it is unobtrusive.
Mike 'Levity'
I'm probly way off the mark on this but my opinion is that there are some really cheap alternative to a permanent seat. A folding chair works really well and if you don't need it you can stow it away in the V-Berth. I like not having the weight all the way in the stern too so having the folding chairs makes it easier to balance the weight out. There are some really comfortable camping/folding chairs these days that are a good inexpensive addition for seating. Look for one that has a wide foot print. 
Shaun
Shaun
Duke,
I just had a custom bench seat made that runs along the entire transom in the cockpit. Just posted pictures in my photo album of it. Just click on the Salty Dog link to the left, then go to page 2. I installed the deck to level the floor, then mounted the seat post base into the decking. This way I can completely remove the seat if I want to and have full access of the cockpit again.
Jack
I just had a custom bench seat made that runs along the entire transom in the cockpit. Just posted pictures in my photo album of it. Just click on the Salty Dog link to the left, then go to page 2. I installed the deck to level the floor, then mounted the seat post base into the decking. This way I can completely remove the seat if I want to and have full access of the cockpit again.
Jack
Jack-
Nice, sturdy, job. I like the rear seat. Neat looking!
I start thinking about a project like this every once in a while, but get hung up on the fact that I love the level or same height relationship of the cockpit and the inside cabin floor. At 6 feet, I don't want to step up or down when transitioning from the inside to the outside, or vis'-a-vis'. Wouldn't make much difference if I were a little shorter.
Perhaps the tall cabin would be in order if I ever switched boats, but there's no way I want to spend several years modifying a new boat just to pretty much get back to where I am after 5 years of customizing!
Have fun with your projects! They're one of the really fun aspects of owning a C-Dory! Joe.
Nice, sturdy, job. I like the rear seat. Neat looking!
I start thinking about a project like this every once in a while, but get hung up on the fact that I love the level or same height relationship of the cockpit and the inside cabin floor. At 6 feet, I don't want to step up or down when transitioning from the inside to the outside, or vis'-a-vis'. Wouldn't make much difference if I were a little shorter.
Perhaps the tall cabin would be in order if I ever switched boats, but there's no way I want to spend several years modifying a new boat just to pretty much get back to where I am after 5 years of customizing!
Have fun with your projects! They're one of the really fun aspects of owning a C-Dory! Joe.
Jack,
I just checked out your album. The aft bench seat looks great. When you remove it, does the pedistal base remain attached to the floor or do the short deck pieces also come off? As a side note, it looks like your starboard fuel tank cover board has pulled loose from the floor? There have been extensive discussions concerning this. Maybe it is just the way the picture looks but my boat had exactly the same thing happen. Worth taking a quick look at it.
I just checked out your album. The aft bench seat looks great. When you remove it, does the pedistal base remain attached to the floor or do the short deck pieces also come off? As a side note, it looks like your starboard fuel tank cover board has pulled loose from the floor? There have been extensive discussions concerning this. Maybe it is just the way the picture looks but my boat had exactly the same thing happen. Worth taking a quick look at it.
Ken,
You are correct, the starboard fuel tank front clean has started pulling loose. Have been extensively reading the thread about this. Plan on fixing that soon. Too many projects going on right now. Need to install the Sprint 600, the factory swim step, and some other ideas I've gotten from others on this site. Always more to do and not enough time. :twisted:
As for the seat posts, I can remove everything down to the stainless steel plates. Those are elevated 1" above the level of the deck floor. The posts are the Springfield Locking Spring-Lock series, so you simply push in on the button and pull up and the post comes out. I got the driver rated posts, seat mount and plate mount as I wanted the extra security of the heavier duty due to using the seat at cruising speeds. I had to decide whether to cut bigger holes in the deck (about 4.5" in diameter) to get the plate flush with the deck, or raise it a bit and use my existing 2.5" hole saw to cut the holes. Needless to say, using the hole saw is pretty quick and easy and I'll leave the seat in most of the time, so I decided to elevate it the 1" from the deck. My other concern was that I didn't have enough clearance if I made it flush to recess it. I think I would have been ok by about 1/2", but sure would have hated to cut that big hole only to find out I needed to elevate it anyway.
Jack
You are correct, the starboard fuel tank front clean has started pulling loose. Have been extensively reading the thread about this. Plan on fixing that soon. Too many projects going on right now. Need to install the Sprint 600, the factory swim step, and some other ideas I've gotten from others on this site. Always more to do and not enough time. :twisted:
As for the seat posts, I can remove everything down to the stainless steel plates. Those are elevated 1" above the level of the deck floor. The posts are the Springfield Locking Spring-Lock series, so you simply push in on the button and pull up and the post comes out. I got the driver rated posts, seat mount and plate mount as I wanted the extra security of the heavier duty due to using the seat at cruising speeds. I had to decide whether to cut bigger holes in the deck (about 4.5" in diameter) to get the plate flush with the deck, or raise it a bit and use my existing 2.5" hole saw to cut the holes. Needless to say, using the hole saw is pretty quick and easy and I'll leave the seat in most of the time, so I decided to elevate it the 1" from the deck. My other concern was that I didn't have enough clearance if I made it flush to recess it. I think I would have been ok by about 1/2", but sure would have hated to cut that big hole only to find out I needed to elevate it anyway.
Jack
Jack,
Very nice work on the rear bench! I'm curious why you didn't opt for the "flush-mount" base that is shaped like a dome? That would have allowed you to mount it directly to the floorboards and simply had the dome above the surface of the flooring. Of course both ways will cause you to stubb your toes with then seat removed.
Very nice work on the rear bench! I'm curious why you didn't opt for the "flush-mount" base that is shaped like a dome? That would have allowed you to mount it directly to the floorboards and simply had the dome above the surface of the flooring. Of course both ways will cause you to stubb your toes with then seat removed.
Gary,
Well, if I would have been more sure of my measurements, I would have mounted it flush, as that's how I had originally planned on doing it. I thought about the domes originally, but wanted to mount it flush, but when it came time I realized it might be too close to call, so I wound up raising it to be sure. Oh well. The great things of doing projects like that. Sometimes you have to modify them as you go.
Jack
Well, if I would have been more sure of my measurements, I would have mounted it flush, as that's how I had originally planned on doing it. I thought about the domes originally, but wanted to mount it flush, but when it came time I realized it might be too close to call, so I wound up raising it to be sure. Oh well. The great things of doing projects like that. Sometimes you have to modify them as you go.
Jack
Hi Folks,
I have a 1983 C-Dory Angler. I built storage beside the motor well, and built with teak a bench seat at the stern of the cockpit. This increased the storage plus makes a great place to nap, sleep, and entertain people. Make sure that you get the right measurements. This information can be found in boating books.
Fred Heap
I have a 1983 C-Dory Angler. I built storage beside the motor well, and built with teak a bench seat at the stern of the cockpit. This increased the storage plus makes a great place to nap, sleep, and entertain people. Make sure that you get the right measurements. This information can be found in boating books.
Fred Heap
Hi Steve,
Sorry about the confusion. Those photos are of '95 25 footer I spotted down in the Kenai Peninsula last week. I wish it were mine! I haven't got any photos of C-Farer in the album yet. It looks like an average older Angler at this point. Improvements (restoration) are in the works.
Pat
Sorry about the confusion. Those photos are of '95 25 footer I spotted down in the Kenai Peninsula last week. I wish it were mine! I haven't got any photos of C-Farer in the album yet. It looks like an average older Angler at this point. Improvements (restoration) are in the works.
Pat
Ordutch1975
New member
When my boat arrives I was thinking of building something similar - A bench seat on the back but my thought was to build it where the rear of the bench is hinged on the transom with folding legs underneath so you can pull the bench up and unfold the legs underneath. This would allow for the bench to be collapsed without needing holes or screws in the deck thus giving more or less full access to the rear deck space minus a couple inches. (think those folding tables with locking legs. When I get my boat I will start building this. I like this idea in that its not something I need to stow anywhere, is more or less out of the way and won't be yet something else I need to move around on the boat other than possibly a pad I can throw in the berth when not in use.
I wish C-dory would provide on their website the exact specs of the width of the rear deck so I could start on this while I wait for my boat - 50 some days and counting down.
Anyone do anything similar? Does anyone see a hiccup to this idea, something I forgot or am not thinking about?
I wish C-dory would provide on their website the exact specs of the width of the rear deck so I could start on this while I wait for my boat - 50 some days and counting down.
Anyone do anything similar? Does anyone see a hiccup to this idea, something I forgot or am not thinking about?
Certainly an idea which has been around for a long time (My dad's sailboat built in the 1930's had fold up benches on both sides of the cockpit) ...Problem with the "fold up bench" type, is it is not human ergonomic. Straight right angle,. This is a problem in many boat seats. Pads, and bolsters can help avoid this and get to more comfortable seating.
Many folks just using folding chairs, which then can be taken on land when desirable. We have folding chairs, plus plastic boxes which are about the same size as the bench seats--which are used for storage, sitting on, and stepping on getting out of the boat etc.
If a bench seat which folds up--and does not interfere with the other functions aft (access to fuel tanks in the 22, batteries, switches etc)--and is what you find most comfortable--then it is a good idea.
Many folks just using folding chairs, which then can be taken on land when desirable. We have folding chairs, plus plastic boxes which are about the same size as the bench seats--which are used for storage, sitting on, and stepping on getting out of the boat etc.
If a bench seat which folds up--and does not interfere with the other functions aft (access to fuel tanks in the 22, batteries, switches etc)--and is what you find most comfortable--then it is a good idea.