cockpit seating

The 25 has built in seats in each aft corner of the cockpit. My wife likes a straight back folding plastic chair, with Thermarest pad. I like a folding camp chair --same one we use ashore. Mine has a side arm "table", and is straight back. We also sit on top of the cooler, storage box or one /two of our Dometic ref/freezers. Neither of us are comfortable in the "sling" type of camp chairs.
 
We used a cooler against the transom on our 22. Our boat originally came with the rare option of a flip out transom bench seat with legs and even had a cushion. Folded down and out of the way it still took up inches of valuable cockpit space. It was the first modification I did to remove the seat. It was a factory option though, and was pretty cool..it just didn't work for us with lots of things to store in the cockpit.
 
We use the WEST MARINE
Go-Anywhere Seat 2, both as our helm seat and outside seating. Portable ,comfortable and multi-purpose. We set them on the ice chests. I use mine on our forward facing "crew seat" while my wife drives me around.
 
I'll preface this by saying, they're a pain in the butt to stow, but we use 2 West marine bean bag chairs. They make ANY surface on the boat a lounge chair.
We stack two in cockpit for a tall lounger, put one on top of a cooler in the corner of cockpit, throw them up on the bow leaning against railing, lean one against front window facing forward, put em on the roof leaning against radar arch.....
Then, when you beach or dock, throw them on shore and they're awesome beach chairs! Lay a beach towel over them so you don't sweat and stick to them.
When not in use, we throw them in V berth or bungee them on roof.
Your mileage may vary....
 
For those who doe not know--the Bean Bag is the "seat of choice" for offshore fisherman in deep V's Center consoles. They are thrown on top of the T Top when fishing.. There actual special fishing "Bean Bag chairs"..
 
We use a smallish size fiberglass dock box. I built a folding back made of mahogany. The advantage is lots of storage space for lines, fenders, fishing tackle and the like, plus full width seating and lounging at the end of the day. The disadvantage, of course, is its big footprint and it eats up valuable cockpit space.
 
I always liked this Brats cockpit seat on his 16. Search for "Capt mac" and check out his bench seat in the album.

If he did it on a 16 then a 22 should be doable.
 
We don't use "dock boxes" per say on the C Dory (did on the foredeck of a 42' Symbol MY), Nothing magical about "dock boxes"--we use either a large "action packer" or similar nylon re-inforced plastic box. For back rests, we use the standard "square boat cushion, which often doubles as a throwable device. These are placed against the cockpit combing and make a comfortable seat. Also easy to step aboard and off the boat from the higher box, than the step.
 
For several years we have used this dock box and found pros and cons of its use. What we like most is that this molded fiberglass and gelcoat box has great utility. It is totally sturdy, so the lid serves as a solid landing point when stepping down onto the boat, as well as making a very nice four-cushion seat. Other things we like include its being a cavernous storage area for boat hook, swim ladder, fenders, dock lines, spare lines, beaching anchor, dinghy tow bridle, cleaning supplies, fishing stuff, water shoes, etc., etc. This one also has a locking hasp, gas struts for the lid, and sturdy "feet" that keep it slightly elevated from the deck. This allows free flow of water back to the transom bilge area.
I fashioned the folding back from horizontal mahogany slats and re-varnish it every few years. All hardware is stainless and a Sea Dog marine door hook secures it as a seatback, to the aft edge of the cockpit wall. When folded down onto the box lid there is access aft under the motor well.
And now for the cons: it takes up a good amount of the cockpit floor-space, and its a bit heavy when occasionally taking it on or off the boat. Years ago I "inherited" this box from a marina neighbor, and noticed a label stating it was manufactured by Better Way Products in Indiana. All in all, this addition works very well for the two us, whether the task is storing away dock lines or relaxing with end-of-day cocktails.
Ahh, that's the ticket!
 
We "invested" in two Lafuma flolding recliners and have been very pleased. Being of an age where naps are a part of our day when boating, we've found them ideally suited for us. When towing we store them on the forward bunk. While cruising they bungee nicely in the cockpit. At anchor or dockside they unfold in the cockpit with the cooler in-between to act as a table. They are very lightweight and well constructed and easily carried ashore for gatherings. In addition, you have a variety of color choices. We went on line and googled Lafuma finding several sites that carried them.

Hank Clow
 
Hello- We just read that the cockpit is 4"6" long in the C-Dory 22 cruiser. Couldn't one just mount four swiveling pedestal seats back there- two on each side so you can use one for a footrest for lounging about and then have four seats maybe with a removable table in the middle for eating, playing cards when company is aboard? Or does something like that compromise the safety of the boat?
 
Thataway- What a great photo album you have provided. We saw the dry rot pictures- That looked like a lot of work! Your boat looks great!
 
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