Another boat question (hey its my first)

[duckriver]

I'm seeing a lot of people using wood to attach seats to the benches in their Jon boats. Or using screws to hold the pedestal down. I'm just curious but is there any reason I can't drill a hole and remove foam just enough for the stud to go into the bench and the flange sit flush on top of the bench and tig weld it down? I have not seen online where anyone has done this and just wonder why.

Also I'm going to put a floor in it to cover the ribs. Any reason why I can't use aluminum and tig it down instead of rivets ? Have not seen where anyone has done this either

 

[jakeway]

The main reason for the wood on the seats is the aluminum on those benches is too thin on those particular boats. Since the boat you got is made from .080 aluminum, you should have no problem. I put a pedestal on mine. Bolt on a Stainless post receiver base with six bolts, using some backing like 3/16 aluminum under the seat, and use a post swivel on the seat itself.

 

[jakeway]

I just re-read your thread on the motor, and I don't know where I got the idea that your boat was .080 thick. You better check the specs first.

 

[BIGB]

My Jon boat has an aluminum floor in it that is riveted down to the ribs. If I needed to remove it for whatever reason I could. One reason I would not weld it would be that you can only weld the outer edges and that would allow the middle of your floor to vibrate and flex up and down. It may seem solid in the driveway but I would think you would hear a lot of rattle while on the river.

 

[duckriver]

It is .080 thickness. All welded

 

[TNCharlie]

The main reason for the wood on the seats is the aluminum on those benches is too thin on those particular boats.

Yep.

 

[280longshot]

I used the duracraft T-Rail to install my seats..