Foredeck chair/sofa 4788/490

[Cptmorgan]

I find the seat on the foredeck of my 4788 very uncomfortable. The foam is old and 8” tall back rest is useless.

Before I put in new foam in the old covers, has anyone done a clever mod to the cushions to make this seat comfortable?

Anyone found a drop in double seat that works?

Thanks, -Morgan

[Omega]

Hi Morgan,

my previous boat was a 4588. I hated the front seat on that,as well. I put together a really simple set up. It was two panlels of 1/2 plastic that I installed via a couple thumbscrews along the back wall of th old seat. The panels were about 16 inches high and traversed the entire back wall of the little molded seat. I found a cushion for lawn furniture that fit perfectly along the bottom side. I then found three matching pillow backs for lawn chairs that I sewed a couple of straps that I used for snaps to snap the backs and keep them in place when under way. The taller panels supported the back nicely and was pretty comfy...and was easy to take on and off... I don’t have any real good pictures of the set up, but hopefully the picture, looks help...



~BJ
OMEGA
5788

[Cptmorgan]

Thanks BJ. I have been looking for Marine Cushions. I didn't even think of looking for some lawn furniture cushions. Excellent.

[ksanders]

I have found that little couch to be useless as well.

We just drag chairs from the cockpit to the foredeck when we want to sit up there.

I really like the idea of just installing a higher back to the foredeck couch and putting out some lawn furniture cushions.

Great idea!

[Omega]

The higher seat backs were easy to build. If you get the right thickness of plastic board (I think it was 1/2 in), the bottom of the board seats in the drain trough that is molded in the back of the seat base. That allows a couple screw to be used on the high side of the back, so the board stays in place as the board kind of cantilevers backwards to creat the seat back. Then all you have to do is find a nice set of cushions and wha lah....

[Tmac4588]

Hello all .... I find that bean bags work great, whether on top of the seat or anywhere on the bow area.

[Knothome4788]

Has anyone tried one of those nylon folding stadium seats? Or permanent for sure but easy to store if they’d work.

[Omega]

I tried some of those type of stadium chairs along with another version that had a metal frame from costco. Though I could sit upright more comfortably, I didn’t like them, as I couldn’t lay across them and relax like I could with cushions.

~BJ

[Papa_Charlie]

We have found that we have never used the built in seating on the foredeck. We have enjoyed putting a couple of lounge chairs up there for our trips to the San Juan's. So nice to layout there comfortably.

[ddw1668]

Here is my solution to the foredeck seating problem. Having white vinyl cushions with navy piping made and a navy blue sunbrella cover. The bench is plastic resin by Highwood, 60 inches wide. I cut six inches off each leg and then cut two cutoffs in two for attachments to the deck using 4200 and SS screws.

Dan Weaver
1997 4788
Murrells Inlet, SC

[courtjester]

I'd love to try something like that, but my dogs love that original seat, so for now...it stays.

[Tmac4588]

Great idea .... that has me thinking. Thanks for sharing

[ksanders]

Here is my solution to the foredeck seating problem. Having white vinyl cushions with navy piping made and a navy blue sunbrella cover. The bench is plastic resin by Highwood, 60 inches wide. I cut six inches off each leg and then cut two cutoffs in two for attachments to the deck using 4200 and SS screws.

Dan Weaver
1997 4788
Murrells Inlet, SC

What a cool idea! Find a bench that fits and shorten the rear legs a bit.

Thinking about it you could do the same thing with a couple of chairs instead of a bench if you wanted. Metal based chairs might be really easy to shorten the legs.

[Uppy22]

We keep a couple of these chairs from West Marine aboard and toss them on the molded seat when we want to sit up there. They store flat, so we keep them up on the FB when not being used. Work great, and super comfy. https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-...56?recordNum=1

[Cptmorgan]

Okay. Done. I took BJ's idea. Thank you BJ on OMEGA.

A 1/2" white board slides into the drip channel nicely. I had a basic vinyl cushion made, slightly larger than the board. The board picks up a few of the old snaps to hold it in place in bouncy weather. A few more snaps to hold the cushion on the board.

I also replaced the foam in the old bottom cushion.

The result is surprisingly comfortable. Plus, the back folds away so that the old sunbrella cover still fits overtop.

One more item off the winter to-do list.