HELP... Need advice strengthening seats...

[madcatters]

Let's start with the simple fact that I'm a behemoth... about 6'7" and 330lbs. You'd be suprised how many things can't support my weight, starting with plastic deck furniture, most foliding "bag" chairs, etc. Since our purchase of a pontoon last month, we can now add pontoon seats to that list.

My wife is the primary driver (currently) of the pontoon for various reasons, one of which is we're not sure the pedestal drivers seat will hold me, and we're planning to replace it with a flip over cooler seat at sometime, which is rated for more weight. I generally sit on one of the front couches. On Saturday, we noticed that the frame of the couch was deforming due to my great weight. The frames of the seats are plastic, apparently cast in one piece. I'm pretty sure that they are lower end replacement seats.

Has anyone ever tried re-inforcing one of these? I'd think that if I put a 2x4 frame inside it, the weight would be on the wood, and not the plastic frame. Any known issues trying something like that? Should I use treated lumber or regular lumber (not in contact with water).?

Any advice or opinions is welcome.

[lakerunner]

I am a big guy to and my problem was the captains chair with plastic base. I used 1/2 plywood and made a pattern of whole seat bottom then using the pedestal mounting holes to secure it. Been there 4 years and still holding well. So yes do what you need to strengthen seat bases.
Do you keep it under a cover? Untreated may last a long time but treated will last longer.

[WaltF]

Actually, im quite thin and a super model, so i wouldnt know anything about this.


oh wait, youve all seen pics of me havent you...
damnit...

[dockholiday]

I would go with the treated. Since most will be from wet to damp when purchased give it a while to shrink an twist if it is going to. Usually when I use press treated. I use bolts rather than nails so it can be tightened if shrinkage occurs. Oh keep your receipt an take back the bad stuff. Not really their fault but they will take it back, so buy more than you guesstimate.
doc

[madcatters]

Has anyone tried anything like this before?

My wife is VERY anal about things that are "jury-rigged", and she will raise hell if I just do this without knowing that it has already been done. It's a lot easier (and quieter) if I can tell her that someone else solved the problem this way.

[WaltF]

Thats not jury rigging..
THIS is jury rigging!

[Heatman]

madcatters is there anyway you could post a picture of the seat that you want to fix? With it open the see how it's built.

[WoodenPontoon]

Is there any sort of lip or edge around the inside of the seat bases? You should be able to make a frame that fit under this edge from 2 x 3's. Pressure treated ones would certainly stand up better to the wet/damp environment.

As Heatman stated pictures would be most helpful.

[FloterBoter]

go for it.

use treated lumber.

[WaltF]

FYI, cool site to bone up on boating!
http://boatsafe.com/

[madcatters]

I'll get some pictures out there next week... We're having a busy time, and won't be able to boat for about 2 weeks.