hello everyone Newb here. Needs ideas!!!

Hello,

I would like to say this sight rocks. I found it today at work and needless to say, I didnt get much work done the rest of the day. Now, I want to deck my Richline semi-v. I was looking for something more setup for bass fishing, but cant afford to buy a new boat. I have this boat and after viewing all the mods here, I am pumped. I looked through all the pages in this section and couldnt find one like mine. I have a couple of questions about getting started.

1. My seats are all one piece. What I mean by that is, it is riveted on the sides and runs across making the bench. Do I pop the rivets and take off that whole section? If I do that, what do I use to fill the holes? Hopefully not a stupid question.

2. Well I guess #1 is my main question to get me started. I think I have a pretty good idea on all the frame work for now.

Any help would greatly be appreciated.
Thanks.

https://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii4/jwdrummer21/SDC10166.jpg

https://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii4/jwdrummer21/SDC10168.jpg

:WELCOME:

Thanks for joining!

Why take out the seats? Are you planning a deck or a level floor?

The seats might be used for support, and you could...possibly...... Deck right over them and have some small storage underneath. Or you can make a level floor, and mount a pedestal seat on each bench for all day comfort.

Ok, I was wondering why I couldnt go right over the top of them. I will do that. Now what about the little support bars that come from the side of the boat, to the seat. Attach them to the new floor or can I take them out?

jwdrummer01 said:

Ok, I was wondering why I couldnt go right over the top of them. I will do that. Now what about the little support bars that come from the side of the boat, to the seat. Attach them to the new floor or can I take them out?

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you should attach them to the new floor

If it was my boat, I would get rid of them.

Figured out how to add the pics.

Jim said:

If it was my boat, I would get rid of them.

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Thats all I needed to hear. If it wont hurt, they are gone.

jwdrummer01 said:

Jim said:

If it was my boat, I would get rid of them.

Click to expand...

Thats all I needed to hear. If it wont hurt, they are gone.

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LOL! I would wait for a few more opinions though. :mrgreen:

Jim said:

jwdrummer01 said:

Jim said:

If it was my boat, I would get rid of them.

Click to expand...

Thats all I needed to hear. If it wont hurt, they are gone.

Click to expand...

LOL! I would wait for a few more opinions though. :mrgreen:

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Well, I wanted to take them out. I wasnt sure if that would be stupid or not, but you agreed with me right off the bat.

On these seats, the top part lip over the base of the seat. In the framing, would I go past the seat a little and frame down? Just not sure how I can tie into the seats without taking the tops off if I needed to tie into them.

If you take them out you will not have the support at the top that you need. you will be suprised how much they support. When you deck cut them free from the seat and attach the deck. Then re-attach the supports. One way to get rid of them would be to make a new support for the gunnels. Something like rod lockers or extra storage. Its what I'm going to do to mine to get rid of those supports.
It would be best to just leave the seats intact and build over them, its what I did on mine and I feel it was the best option.

Mayby these will give you some ideas. And welcome aboard
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=7320


https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=7242

darb79 said:

If you take them out you will not have the support at the top that you need. you will be suprised how much they support. When you deck cut them free from the seat and attach the deck. Then re-attach the supports. One way to get rid of them would be to make a new support for the gunnels. Something like rod lockers or extra storage. Its what I'm going to do to mine to get rid of those supports.
It would be best to just leave the seats intact and build over them, its what I did on mine and I feel it was the best option.

Mayby these will give you some ideas. And welcome aboard
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=7320


https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=7242

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Thanks for the links. That helps me out on planning for my boat.

Scotch brite would take those rust stains right off of there, but thats all im good for, there better qualified people out there other than me.

Welcome to the site. Tons of usefull info, even from teh less experienced guys.

:WELCOME:

Your bench seats are structural.I would not remove them.Your boat looks a little to narrow to deck but a floor is a good idea.I think your seats are filled with flotation foam,not 100% sure.I'm not sure I'd remove it to bolt on seats.You could add the foam back in other places.

Here is kinda my plans. Dont laugh at my minimal windows paint skills.

ben2go said:

:WELCOME:

Your bench seats are structural.I would not remove them.Your boat looks a little to narrow to deck but a floor is a good idea.I think your seats are filled with flotation foam,not 100% sure.I'm not sure I'd remove it to bolt on seats.You could add the foam back in other places.

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Do you think it will be shaky if I deck it? The seats are foam filled.

here is my 12 footer, your plans look similar. i can have my girlfriend, me, our 9 year old and my beagle out on the big lakes and no worries about stability.

grizzly said:

here is my 12 footer, your plans look similar. i can have my girlfriend, me, our 9 year old and my beagle out on the big lakes and no worries about stability.

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That looks identical to what I want. Thanks for sharing!

i just posted some more pics of mine that may help. welcome to the site and good luck! dont know how to link to it but the thread is "12' smokercraft shallow vee"

grizzly said:

i just posted some more pics of mine that may help. welcome to the site and good luck! dont know how to link to it but the thread is "12' smokercraft shallow vee"

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Did you deck right over the tops of the seats?