3218 bridge seat boxes-gctid827764

[Guest]

My 1987 3218 flybridge seat boxes are slowly falling apart. Add to that the pink discoloration on the leatherette, the tiny (and growing) tears here and there, and the generally cheap look of these bench seats and maybe you can see why I'd love to tear them out and put in something new. The bridge is covered with canvas during the winter but no other protection.

I have a buddy who replced his 38' Bayliner's Pontoon seats he purchased online. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with doing this on the 32? Suggestions? Pitfalls?

[diveguy]

Buddy of mine has pontoon seating on his bridge. Sorry, no picture. I think it would be a better option than doing a complete rebuild of the original. Hopefully someone will chime who's done this. The L seat maybe tricky in getting something to fit.

[ronbo404]

I rebuilt my boxes out of 1/2" starboard and aluminum angles and I am happy with the results, but you would need the old boxes for a template.

Ron

[dmcb]

Pontoon seats are the way to go.

Measure your seating and do a search for pontoon seats.

You will be able to find them in any size to fit. It may be a good time to customize your seating. I left room for a table and I find that very useable. Charts, meals, and so on.

You will be able to raise the seats and will get great storage under them.

Doug

[green650]

I would recommend the pontoon seats too. I ripped out the wooden ones on my 32 xx and they weighed a ton, they were all soggy and rotten. Starboard is going to be pretty heavy. Pontoon furniture is going to be rotomolded plastic, much lighter. And when you remove your furniture, be sure to fill all the holes where it was attached to the deck, that's where all your water intrusion comes and it causes your floor to rot.

[Hamnavoe]

Excuse my European ignorance ...., but what do you guys mean by pontoon seats?

[dmcb]

Here is a link. Not saying this is the place, just some information.

Google Pontoon Furniture and you will get a lot of hits.

You can design your own seating that is best for you.

https://www.pontoonstuff.com/

Doug

[Hamnavoe]

Ah, yes, pontoon boats. We don't have those here. For us a pontoon is something we moor our boat against. One language??? many cultures of English.

[ronbo404]

Fyi, the amount of starboard used for the boxes is so small the amount of added weight is negligible.

Regarding the 32xx when I did mine over I could not find off the shelf seats / pontoon seats that worked as well as

the original design.

regard

Ron

[dmcb]

Ours is a 38xx but the seats are much better in every way. The big thing is they are higher and more comfortable. I was able to shorten one side enough for a table. I use that table all the time.

There is much more storage under the seats and it is easy to get to.

On the port side I was able to get a "slanted" seat end so one can lay down and recline. They are made in all sizes and it was easy to make them fit as I wanted.

IMO, all pluses.

Doug

[diveguy]

In case you're interested, here is the link to my seat and backrest rebuild. My boxes were redone when I bought the boat.

http://www.baylinerownersclub.org/index.php/forum/motoryachts/70822-3270-fb-cushion-rebuilding-and-recovering#708258