Are you considering adding a few extra seats to your boat so that your family and friends can sit on them when you go on a boating adventure? Learning how to build a boat bench seat is not difficult, as long as you have the materials and a DIY spirit.
Things You Need
Depending on the design of the bench you want for your watercraft, building a bench seat for boats requires a number of tools and materials.
Seat Materials
The majority of boat owners prefer using wood for their benches. It can give the watercraft a more natural beauty and is simpler to work with.
Plywood might seem like the best option, but cedar wood is preferable due to its excellent moisture characteristics. Additionally, it has a sophisticated salmon finish that can go well with a boat’s interior.
Due to its ability to naturally produce a water-resistant oil, teak is another preferred option. Comparatively speaking to other types of wood, it is easier to cut and form into various shapes. The only drawback is how expensive teak is.
Mahogany, which is renowned for its high density and exceptional water resistance, is another choice of wood. Additionally, it creates a rich, reddish-brown finish that will make your boat appear more upscale.
A Brazilian cherry is a fantastic option for boat bench seats because it is resistant to warping. Although it’s simple to smooth out, premium marine lumber requires tools with carbide tips for cutting.
For a boat bench seat, you can always purchase pre-fabricated plastic items if you don’t want wood.
Other Materials
If you need curved shapes for your wood bench seat, you will need a band saw. In all other cases, a standard saw or another wood-cutting tool will do. For smoothing the surface, a planer and sander will also be required. If not, you can always use sandpaper.
Making the mounting holes will also require a power drill and the appropriate size bits. For joining pieces of wood together, you will also need glue or another type of adhesive. As you wait for the glue to dry, clamps can help you keep the bench’s shape.
You will also need UV treatment, waterproofing, or varnish if you want to apply these cabin products on your boat bench seat. For application, you will therefore need a paintbrush and several pieces of cloth.
Steps To Building A Boat Bench Seat
Go Through Different State Laws About Boat Seat Additions
The laws governing how to add seats to boats vary from state to state in the United States of America. All boat seats should be able to support at least 400 pounds, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. The seats should also be able to support the weight for longer than five minutes.
Additionally, the boat seat cannot sag more than 30 degrees if it does. Keep in mind that following state laws and regulations are crucial to reducing the likelihood of receiving a fine.
Measure The Boat And Record The Measurement
Building boat seats is a straightforward process you can further simplify by measuring your watercraft’s inside dimensions, particularly its width.
Before you begin measuring, it would be best to picture where you want the bench seat to be placed in your boat. Bench seats are typically installed by boat owners at the stern, behind the console or cockpit.
Searching for inspiration on websites with boating resources will also be helpful. Free boat bench designs can be downloaded from some websites. You can look at these and adjust them for your watercraft.
Prepare Your Boat Wrench Seat Materials
The majority of boat owners construct the rear bench seat from wood. Your boat can have a more natural, rustic elegance thanks to the use of wood. To increase the wooden bench seat’s durability, it makes sense to coat it with a waterproof coating.
Additionally, prefabricated boat benches are available for purchase. The only issue is that they might not fit your vessel’s interior dimensions.
I advise cutting out paper cutouts of the various seat panels if you decide to build a wood bench. More precisely cutting the wood into the desired shapes will be made easier by it.
Each piece’s surface should be sanded smooth. Before assembly, you might also want to waterproof and apply UV protection.
Install The Bench In Your Boat
You may want to drill mounting holes on the interior surface of the hull depending on the design of your DIY boat seat. To increase drilling efficiency and accuracy, mark the location of the mounting hardware.
Heavy-duty screws are used to fasten the angle bars to the interior boat sides. Install the bench seat on the angle bars and secure them with screws. To reduce water ingress, don’t forget to add washers and gaskets to the screws.
If you want to install a U-shaped bench seat at the stern of your boat, it would be best to assemble the bench first and then mount it into your boat.
To increase the structural integrity of the bench, it would also be preferable to glue all wood joints.
Add Finishing Touches
Your boat’s bench seat should have a foam cushion. Your family and friends will find it more comfortable as a result. In that situation, removable seat cushions are best. The cushions can be taken off so that they can be dusted.
Conclusion
If you want to install a bench seat in your new boat, that is your choice. But building a bench seat is unquestionably in your best interest for overall comfort. You can make one out of wood and cover the top with foam padding, or you can leave the bench without any padding but with a lovely finish.
No matter what you decide, it is always best to build a bench seat with passion and to always include your own sense of style in your boat projects.
