Removing center seat from a tinny???

[type 3]

I am after some advise on modifying my tinny. After receicent fishing trips I am finding that the center seat in my 3.7m tinny is a bit of a hinderance. I thought that I could remove it and build a floor into it. My question is this, does the seat add to the stability of the boat and if I remove it will it make the boat weaker. The seat is just riveted on using 4 rivets at each end into the side of the boat. If any one has done this and insalled a floor I would be very greatful for advise or even a photo or two to give me an idea of how to go about it and what materials to use. any pics can be sent to a.schulz@cfa.vic.gov.au

Regards

Schulzy

[garman1]

I had a 10 ft tinnie and removed the centre seat also.........(it made a massive improvement in usable space etc).

I did fit a floor into it BUT I didn't add extra boyouncy to allow for what I had lost in removing the centre seat. I would recommend adding some xtra flotation under the floor, the only worry is the flotation is now going to be lower down than it was originally. Someone with more knowledge may have better input on this matter than I.

I was lucky in that where I removed the seat from there was a main (chunky) fabricated rib welded across the boat and this kept the side walls very rigid.

[JEWIENEWIE]

Just need to be careful that you are not weakening the construction of the boat. I am not educated enough on this subject but i had a same size tinny a while ago and the front bench seat welds had cracked. No big drtama i thought and left it as the seat stayed in position enough. Took it in for a service some time later and the mechanic pointed out that the seat gives the boat its strenght and as a result of the seat not being welded in, where the dash of the boat meets the sides had punched through and started splitting the hull!!
Geez i felt like a idiot.
Jewie

[Kleyny]

take photos and post them.

If you remove the seat you most probably need to add extra flotation to keep it afloat if it goes pear shaped.

neil

[Coontakinta]

Type 3, that centre thwart provides structural integrity to the sides of the hull so unless you have plans to substitute that integrity with some other form of support, I'd suggest it stay where it is.