Interior House Wall/Cubby Area Strength

[PNWMatt2023]

Hey Everyone,

 I am redesigning the seating configuration on my 19' SC (1999). I want to install a single fold up/down bench seat for 2, or two individual fold up/down seats along the Port side interior house wall (where the cubby storage is). In the photos attached I made a make-shift bench to provide a draft idea of what I was looking for. Obviously, the seat would be much wider/deeper and include a seat cushion on top of the frame. Do you think that if I was to install a couple/few vertical stringer boards made from thicker Starboard or Stainless Steel, that they would make that wall section strong enough to hold 1-2 adults? I have thought of putting a 70-150 qt cooler in place and just making floor mounts to keep it secure while underway, however I like the idea of being able to fold the bench or seats up and having that open space for either crab/shrimp pots, big kill bag, extra fuel tanks, etc.

[fishmeister]

Interesting concept.

I doubt there is enough strength to hold that much weight, as you've shown it (especially if I'm riding there  ).

But, if you designed with some sort of fold up/down support legs, it might have possibilities.

[Nanserbe]

I wouldn't tie anything to those starboard pieces, or the fiberglass overhang below the window. They just aren't meant to take weight. The vertical stringers might add a bit of vertical plane strength, but you still have lateral forces to contend with. If you're taking a turn and hitting waves, or just rolling the boat back and forth, there will be weight pulling outwards on that wall.

I think the cooler is a better idea, with the little brackets that go on the floor to hold it in place. Plus, you wouldn't have to worry about the fish bag that way with the cooler. You can also stack pots on top of the cooler.

[AJFishin]

I think that's a cool idea and it would be interesting to see. The cooler might be the way to go with some kind of tie downs or brackets to hold it to the deck and in place. Right now at Costco, at least at mine, they have a huge cooler selling for $99 that would probably fit well right there. Another option is might be getting a folding deck chair to place there that you can remove when you want too.

[PNWMatt2023]

Thanks for all the feedback and thoughts towards this. There are some pre fabricated bench seats which have two additional legs that kick down. I thought that would help with the weight distribution...But, as mentioned above, still need to consider the flex in the horizontal sections of starboard and fiberglass. I'm going to see how much a custom bench seat with support legs would be and then if I could attach to a self made frame...with vertical stringers. Otherwise it'll be the cooler option
 Haha

[headduck]

Can you rest on the floor and on the flat at the inside of the shelf?

Seems as long as it's distributed along the length its should be ok?

I would not use either of those horizontal strip pieces as structure. I would fold it up and clip it to it though.

[BestBoats]

If you are planning on running offshore at all there it would take a lot of building structural support into that area for it to hold up. That's a tremendous amount of leverage force. It will also beat the heck out of anyone trying to sit there. If it's a lake boat you could make something like that work.