Lightweight seat base material to replace plywood?

[Mr. Demeanor]

I have a rear bench seat made with a plywood base. The seat weighs about 17 pounds. Is there a material suitable that would save me some weight?

[thewombis]

1: Remove the rear bench seat, or make it "take-out-able" for play time versus family time.

2: Foam/glass samich, should be 1/4" the weight.

[Ronny Jetmore]

i don't like it for a lot of structural stuff, but i think coosa would be good. the bluewater 26 is their strongest i believe.

[thewombis]

coosa is a great product but for the expense, not worth for a seat base IMO.

Maybe try Baltek airex pxc. you can get 2' x 4' sheet for around $80 at Jamestown dist. I decided to use that to build up my transom.

[Mr. Demeanor]

That would have to be glassed over to use as a seat base right?

[Rigaud]

That would have to be glassed over to use as a seat base right?

Yep it would.

Did you look and see if the foam from your seat is dry? Mind you 17 lbs is pretty much what it is. Not sure what you'll save if anything using foam since the glass will add weight. Maybe one of the Guru's has a better idea.

[OFFSHORE GINGER]

Yep it would.

Did you look and see if the foam from your seat is dry? Mind you 17 lbs is pretty much what it is. Not sure what you'll save if anything using foam since the glass will add weight. Maybe one of the Guru's has a better idea. Hey guy you could make a back seat using balsa core because it is readily available and if you were to vacume bag it you could most likely save over half the weight ................. but in your case is it really worth it for 17 lbs .

[Matt Gent]

PVC foam works great as a seat base if it isn't structural (or the spans are small).

No rot, easy to cut, takes a staple.

Its not super light, but it should last forever.

[AirRide]

Use PVC board. Buy it from any PlexiGlass or plastics sheet wholesaler or retailer. If they don't stock it, they can get it in the next day. Glues with PVC cement, takes a staple perfect, can be screwed or bolted together, holds a tee-nut & threaded stud perfect & never rots. 1/2" thickness is most commonly used for upholstery, but is available in 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", & 3/4" as well. Sold by the pound(as most materials), it is available in different densities, which denotes weight, and thus price. Most better boat builders(not production boat builders) are using it these days for all their exterior seating, side coamings, etc. Hope this helps.

[adk61]

i believe the trade name for said plastic is kelron... that is the product I used when i replaced the interior in my fountain...

[Gorilla0178]

Use PVC board. Buy it from any PlexiGlass or plastics sheet wholesaler or retailer. If they don't stock it, they can get it in the next day. Glues with PVC cement, takes a staple perfect, can be screwed or bolted together, holds a tee-nut & threaded stud perfect & never rots. 1/2" thickness is most commonly used for upholstery, but is available in 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", & 3/4" as well. Sold by the pound(as most materials), it is available in different densities, which denotes weight, and thus price. Most better boat builders(not production boat builders) are using it these days for all their exterior seating, side coamings, etc. Hope this helps.

:iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree:
100%%%%%%

Built alot of things out of it (expanded pvc foam) and its not that much $.
Glues, screws, and staples very well.

[Mr. Demeanor]

I will have to compare the weight and see if its worth the effort. The foan is bone dry. The boats a 95 but sat at in the whare house until a a year ago. Its literally a brand new 15 year old boat. Interior is dated but brand new which kind of sucks because I cant justify updating right now.

[typhoon]

You could go with ply again, but swiss cheese it with a holesaw and epoxy it so it doesn't soak up as much water next time.
Putting lots of holes in the board also helps it dry out faster too.

Regards, Andrew.

[Ronny Jetmore]

Paulownia wood is awesome. similar to balsa but much stronger, so you can use less of it in building. also, it is more resistant to rot. seems like wood with a nice couple coats of epoxy would serve you well. pvc board would be cool i would think.

[AirRide]

Ronny, the problem with wood, of any species, is that it just plain rots and holds water. Have you ever tried to get a stainless staple through a couple coats of epoxy? Even with an air stapler, its a task. Partially because stainless steel staples are a softer metal than a steel counterpart, but, would you want to use anything but stainless?...No. Granted, you can get away with lesser grade materials up north, due to a much shorter, and much drier overall boating envirement...But in a saltwater, year long humid upholstery envirement, as in the south, nothing but the best lasts. "Sintra" brand PVC board was one of the first to enter the marine market back around 1995, and is still one of the best quality PVC sheet material suppliers out there for our use.:thumbsup:

[Ronny Jetmore]

i did mine by coating with epoxy, then the thin plastic sheeting, then stapled while epoxy is wet. the epoxy won't stick to the vinyl because of the plastic liner.