[flatheadslayer]

I have a 14/48 john boat,my question is,can the bench type seats be removed to open up more room?i'm wanting to put an aluminum floor in it.Will it hurt the boat structurally if i remove the bench seats?THANKS FOR ANY INPUT.

 

[THE PAN MAN]

I have a 14/48 john boat,my question is,can the bench type seats be removed to open up more room?i'm wanting to put an aluminum floor in it.Will it hurt the boat structurally if i remove the bench seats?THANKS FOR ANY INPUT.

me and a friend have thought about doing the same thing to his boat. the research we have found out so far about it is that its ok to remove it but you need the runners like what go up and down in place after removal. im not so sure about that but that is what we have fig. out so far. im courious about this as well.

 

[tofish]

just what i've heard from other sites, but the seats reinforce the boat. take them out and got to put something back in to help it. suggest contacting mark j and asking him since he builds boats.
gary

 

[Colsrob]

Besides support, I also hear that the seats provide a place for foam. As long as you put some foam under the floor for safety, and the fact that you are putting a floor in, I don't see why it can't replace the support of the seats. If anything, the floor would probably add more structural support, being that it spans a great area than just a couple of seats.

I guess a lot would have to do with how you connect the flooring to the boat. Worst case, you could weld some mounting brackets in place to bolt the floor to. That would tie everything together.

 

[Mark J]

Bigger boat.
Trying to make a little boat a big boat is a losing proposition.

I definately wouldn't be hanging a motor on the back of it.
You'll up with cracks in the floor from the flexing you may or may not can see happening.
Hell some aluminum boats have that problem without taking seats out.
Seen cracks in the aluminum floor as far forward as the center console on a boat.
Comes from the motor.

I don't think you'll die doing it but I'm sure you'll shorten the life of the boat.
I'd shop around for something more like what I wanted.

 

[smhmc6]

Bad idea structurally. I'm not familiar with boat structure, but I am a structural engineer in the aircraft world. Structure is structure so I'm going to take a stab. My guess is that the middle seat acts as a panel breaker, without it every wave you hit the sides of the boat will buckle or bulge out. And like Mark said it will start cracking. If you have ribs that go up the sides its probably not as big of a problem, but you are still going to increase stress in areas that weren't designed for it. Probably end up with cracks where the ribs are welded or riveted to the sides if I were to guess. If your boat is like the jon boat I used to own, and all it has is the middle seat attached to the sides (no ribs), I think it would significantly weaken the boat. If I removed the middle seat on that old boat I used to have all that would be left is the 0.10" sheet aluminum sides. Anyway, hope this helps. If you do it I don't think you're going to end up sinking the boat or anything drastic like that, I just think you'll end up with cracks sometime down the line. And because of that I don't think it is a good idea.

 

[BIG_D]

the pan man is right on with this one !
i restored a old 64 starcraft and took all 3 seats out
i ran a 1x6 down the top of the gunl wal it stiffend it right back up plus gives a place for rod holders or what ever to be mounted ...

 

[Mike81]

I would weld in some kind of gussets and then put the floor in.... it wouldn't be hard to reinforce it enough to compensate for the seats being gone, just depends how much work you wanna put into it.... and of course you have to be set up to weld aluminum....

 

[Mark J]

Bad idea structurally. I'm not familiar with boat structure, but I am a structural engineer in the aircraft world. Structure is structure so I'm going to take a stab. My guess is that the middle seat acts as a panel breaker, without it every wave you hit the sides of the boat will buckle or bulge out. And like Mark said it will start cracking. If you have ribs that go up the sides its probably not as big of a problem, but you are still going to increase stress in areas that weren't designed for it. Probably end up with cracks where the ribs are welded or riveted to the sides if I were to guess. If your boat is like the jon boat I used to own, and all it has is the middle seat attached to the sides (no ribs), I think it would significantly weaken the boat. If I removed the middle seat on that old boat I used to have all that would be left is the 0.10" sheet aluminum sides. Anyway, hope this helps. If you do it I don't think you're going to end up sinking the boat or anything drastic like that, I just think you'll end up with cracks sometime down the line. And because of that I don't think it is a good idea.

Still amazed that you can hang a GE90 on an airplane wing.

 

[playin4funami]

I'm no boat guru, but the way I see it it is no different from a car frame,the boat itself is the frame,the seats would be like cross members holding the frame from flexing and twisting, you can remove a crossmember from a car and if driven nice and slow never have a problem,subject it to rough roads and excessive speed and tourque and things are gonna come apart.

 

[RonSki]

NO offense to anyone who replied to this so far, but everyone is speculating. I've had the seats out of my 1448 for over 10 years so far. I have a 15 hp motor on the back, a 70# trolling motor on the front. It flexes VERY little if at all. I do beat it up too, I like to fish on the windy, cloudy, rainy days and I haven't cracked anything yet. I never built a floor. Last year I built a livewell that spans the width of the boat that's a little wider than the stock bench seat was. I haven't seen any of the problems anyone is describing in 10 years of hard use and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I WOULD suggest you have a good plan as to what you'll do with that space before you drill the rivets out. It's not likely that you'll be able to put the seat back in. Cutting the top of the seat and putting storage hatches in is one other use that wouldn't require taking the seat out.
Like I said, I don't mean to start anything, but I haven't read from anyone who's actually done it and failed yet with this size boat. I should mention that I DO have the reinforcing ribs that run from side to side. I wouldn't do it if I didn't have these ribs, but I'm taking a wild guess that you do. From what I've seen, it's mostly the welded jon boats that don't have the ribs, but most of them already have a floor although I could be wrong. I don't see the point in taking the BACK seat out though as it wouldn't really save you any room. JMO....

 

[flatheadslayer]

I don't see the point in taking the BACK seat out though as it wouldn't really save you any room. JMO....

the only reason for removing the back seat would not be for more space,but for comfort.it is hard to sit straddle of a bench seat,even with the padded seat mounted on it,for 10 to 12 hours.

 

[Mark J]

NO offense to anyone who replied to this so far, but everyone is speculating. I've had the seats out of my 1448 for over 10 years so far. I have a 15 hp motor on the back, a 70# trolling motor on the front. It flexes VERY little if at all. I do beat it up too, I like to fish on the windy, cloudy, rainy days and I haven't cracked anything yet. I never built a floor. Last year I built a livewell that spans the width of the boat that's a little wider than the stock bench seat was. I haven't seen any of the problems anyone is describing in 10 years of hard use and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I WOULD suggest you have a good plan as to what you'll do with that space before you drill the rivets out. It's not likely that you'll be able to put the seat back in. Cutting the top of the seat and putting storage hatches in is one other use that wouldn't require taking the seat out.
Like I said, I don't mean to start anything, but I haven't read from anyone who's actually done it and failed yet with this size boat. I should mention that I DO have the reinforcing ribs that run from side to side. I wouldn't do it if I didn't have these ribs, but I'm taking a wild guess that you do. From what I've seen, it's mostly the welded jon boats that don't have the ribs, but most of them already have a floor although I could be wrong. I don't see the point in taking the BACK seat out though as it wouldn't really save you any room. JMO....

Every jon boat is not made the same way or to the same spec.
Alot of companies build tin boats. They are all different.
Everything from internal bracing to aluminum thickness.
You don't have problems yet.

 

[RonSki]

Every jon boat is not made the same way or to the same spec.
Alot of companies build tin boats. They are all different.
Everything from internal bracing to aluminum thickness.
You don't have problems yet.

I totally understand that. That's why I explained how my boat is setup. It's been 10 years, how long would I have to wait? Not doing something that makes it more functional because there might be problems in 20 years is kinda ridiculous. How long do most people keep boats? I fish A LOT, more than most. I've put this little boat thru it's paces and haven't had a problem yet. Sure, SOMEDAY I might have major problems, but I'll have since outgrown this boat. I don't even know anyone who's had a boat longer than 10 years besides me.

Flatheadslayer, IF you're boat is like mine and you have the reinforcement ribs, I wouldn't question taking out the middle seat. I wouldn't take out the back seat though, as that one IS more important to the structural integrity of the boat. I THINK everyone is right about that one. But we have to make the distinction between the front seat and the back seat. Two totally different subjects as far as strength goes. Maybe I didn't make myself very clear about that:winky: Sorry if I didn't explain that very well.

 

[Laker2]

Guys You're still trying to make a big boat out of a little one. You would be much better off to trade for a bigger boat.

 

[flatheadslayer]

Guys You're still trying to make a big boat out of a little one. You would be much better off to trade for a bigger boat.

IF i had the money that would definantly be the way i'd go.i'm not tryin to make a small boat big,just make a small boat more functional and roomy.its hard stepping over the middle seat in the middle of the night.i know you can't make a 14 footer an 18 footer,but i have to work with what i have.

 

[THE PAN MAN]

well preston what have ya came up with so far? did ya tear it on out.

 

[THE PAN MAN]

IF i had the money that would definantly be the way i'd go.i'm not tryin to make a small boat big,just make a small boat more functional and roomy.its hard stepping over the middle seat in the middle of the night.i know you can't make a 14 footer an 18 footer,but i have to work with what i have.

and i agree with this totally. gotta do what ya gotta do.

 

[flatheadslayer]

well preston what have ya came up with so far? did ya tear it on out.

gonna wait til the flathead bite slows.got a welder ready,and gonna add an extra rib where i remove the seat.probably just remove the middle seat,and when i stop to fish,make who ever is with me sit in the back and straddle the seat.lol
i'll probably rivit or screw the floor in,just in case it needs to come out.i hot a lot of rocks,and never know when i'll have to weld a hole.

 

[Mark J]

I totally understand that. That's why I explained how my boat is setup. It's been 10 years, how long would I have to wait? Not doing something that makes it more functional because there might be problems in 20 years is kinda ridiculous. How long do most people keep boats? I fish A LOT, more than most. I've put this little boat thru it's paces and haven't had a problem yet. Sure, SOMEDAY I might have major problems, but I'll have since outgrown this boat. I don't even know anyone who's had a boat longer than 10 years besides me.

Flatheadslayer, IF you're boat is like mine and you have the reinforcement ribs, I wouldn't question taking out the middle seat. I wouldn't take out the back seat though, as that one IS more important to the structural integrity of the boat. I THINK everyone is right about that one. But we have to make the distinction between the front seat and the back seat. Two totally different subjects as far as strength goes. Maybe I didn't make myself very clear about that:winky: Sorry if I didn't explain that very well.

You grossly misunderstand me.
I could care less if if ANYBODY drilled 2" holes in the bottom of their boat.
I don't care who takes a seat out of a jon boat. I don't have a stake in the boat.
I'm not fishing on it.
BUT obviously the person that has this particular boat is seeking input or he wouldn't have brought the subject here.

This is my input.

What I said is that when you take structural members out of boats it will shorten the life of the boat. I don't know of a soul that won't agree with that statement even with little to no knowledge of boat design or design engineering.
Common sense.

Simple thing to do is call the manufacturer and see what they say about removing the seat.

For the record. I have a an aluminum jon boat that my dad bought in 1965. The seats are all still in the boat and the boat is very much usable. 45 years long enough?