I
have no seat in my prototype boat as I like that space open for sailing. With no
centerboard trunk, the whole boat becomes a cockpit with much sprawling space.
I
prefer to sit on a moveable seat when I row, usually a stack of cushions. A
great idea I haven't tried yet, it a plastic tool box with a piece of plywood
and a cushion attached to the bottom. Sit on it to row, flip it over to grab a
tool. The cushion should float it in a mishap, but best to keep it tethered.
That said...
If you decide to install a seat
measure and cut it to fit which allows for any minor bend variations in your
hull. For the design contest I allowed a small cleat
of 3/4" stock to be attached to the side for the seat to be attached
to. The
center of bouyancy according to the computer is 79" from the bow. In
theory you can
place the center of your seat there. But remember what Yogi Berra says:
"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is."
So you could do
what I do. Seal the edges
of the ply with epoxy, and then get her wet and see how she floats. In the
"theoretical place" a 9 1/2" wide seat will have the frame notched into it 3" in
from the aft edge of the seat. However, I rarely stand on my seat putting all
my weight over the center of buoyancy. Some of my weight is on my feet. So a bit
forward of the theoretical is probably closer to the practical.
A better Idea I
just got from Mike Goodwin is a removable seat that works like
this. The seat is omitted from the sketch for clarity.
|
Another 1x2 frame piece it attached to the side
forward of and parallel to
the main frame. Notice the lower end tapers to
meet the internal chine log.
(If your chines are external or you stitch
and glued just taper it to the side
bottom joint.) The cross support is also 1x2 and runs long so the
"ears" can be used to tie or bungie the seat in place. Hieght is
a matter of taste and I've seen seats from 9" to 12" high. You
can decide by feel or, if you plan on using a trolling motor allow for the
height of your battery, as midships is the best place for it.
If your trim test has your seat farther aft then let the aft
"ear" run longer and notch the seat around the frame. |
|