Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by jrh433 on 07/27/21 - 6:27 AM

I had to replace a seat in my boston whaler. The board I got was an african mahogany 1 by 12. I cut it to 53.875 length. The actual dimensions of the board is 11.25 by .75 inches. This is a tiller boat it has no console.

My question is the seat deflection calculated to a 0.37 inch deflection for a man sitting on it. This appears too much. Are the original seats in a 13 ft boston whaler thicker? What do other guys use when replacing original seats? I hate to gum up the seat by placing a support half way under the seat.

Thanks for any comments, I sure could use some help.

Posted by Phil T on 07/27/21 - 9:13 AM

I recall the seats are 5/4".

If the board deflects, add 2 or 3 long cleats on the back side, 1" x 1-1/2". Use Gorilla glue and clamp them, with countersunk stainless wood screws..

Posted by Tom Hemphill on 07/27/21 - 1:31 PM

My 1966 13-foot Sport had a thwart seat which was an actual 3/4-inch thick. I don't know if it was original. In my experience, two cleats, glued and screwed as Phil describes, would eventually separate under load. Maybe three would hold up.

Posted by jrh433 on 07/27/21 - 3:24 PM

Thanks for comments. The seats that were in my whaler were mahogany. They appeared to be 1 " thick.
But the person made each seat from two 53 7/8 "long 5 " wide pieces. He then had three cleats under each seat but the cleats ran bow to stern to tie in the two 5" pieces.

Your saying to put three cleats 53 " long that run port to starboard. Is that correct?