24' Banana Boat - modifications to rear seat
 

I mentioned this modification in another post that looked like it was getting too long so I thought I'd start a new one here with pics.

This is my 1988 24' Banana Boat. It was rigged by Bobby Davis of B & C Marine in Hollywood FL about 7 or 8 years ago. I had him cut the back seat out and build a new one a little further back. The base of the seat actually starts at the back of the fuel tank access panel in the cockpit floor. This allows for a little more cockpit room - much more comfortable. He also added the Armstrong bracket.

I live in Boca Raton and find this boat perfect for Inter-coastal boating and close offshore running (of course I'm a little partial - my dad is Charlie McCarthy - the founder of Banana Boat Co. and offshore racer from the '70's...)

Would love to see what anyone else has done to their 24' Banana Boats...

Re: 24' Banana Boat - modifications to rear seat
 

nice boat. that has got to be the way to go down there. i have never been in the intercoastal but i see outboards are the choice there. how fast she run with that setup



welcome to the board by the way

Re: 24' Banana Boat - modifications to rear seat
 

Thanks. Yeah - outboards are definitely the way to go. Actually this is the second outboard since I got the bracket. I had a '96 Merc 225 on originally and switched to a Yamaha 225 in 2000. It'll do almost 60 with a gallon of gas and no interior...lol.

Thanks for the welcome.

Banana Boat Back Bench Beach Baby Bingo...
 

Chatim,

Thank you very much for posting the photo's.

That is exactly what I am trying to accomplish with my current set up. :drink:

I like how you eliminated the motor well and added a bracket. That is my plan as well.

Do you have any additional transom support? Transoms knees or metal plates?

Any complications that you came across with your project?

Chris

Re: 24' Banana Boat - modifications to rear seat
 

Air Dog:

Yes - I had transom "knees" only put in and that seems to be adequate all these years. They run from the 2 main floor stringers up the transom. I'll take a pic and post as soon as I can. Didn't really have any problems with the conversion and have put approx. 500 hours on since with no unusual stress cracks etc.

Also if you're interested, PM me a mailing address and I'll send you an original brochure and a copy of the Powerboat Magazine boat test for the 24' Banana from 1976...

Re: 24' Banana Boat - modifications to rear seat
 

NIce boat ! Is that the only size they made ? Joe

Re: 24' Banana Boat - modifications to rear seat
 

Chatim,

Just sent you a PM.

Looking forward to the transom knee photos.

Last weekend, I met some folks who know you and your Dad. I met Ron and Kerry from Rhode Island. Kerry works at Port Edgewood.

Very nice people. They have a Banana that I looked at for my brother.

Learned a lot about the boats from them. Boat was mint.

On the way home I swung by Port Edgewood. I think I found the Banana Boat Molds?

Hard to tell since they were shrunk wrapped.

Chris

Re: 24' Banana Boat - modifications to rear seat
 

Charlie McCarthy as in McCarthy's Marine on Rt 70 in Point Pleasant?

Re: 24' Banana Boat - modifications to rear seat
 

Chris:
Yeah I know Kerry & Ronnie very well - went to high school with Kerry's brother and used to help Ronnie deliver newspapers!! Sending package to you today - I think you'll enjoy.

Ron P - No - no relation to any McCarthy's in NJ.

Re: 24' Banana Boat - modifications to rear seat
 

Chatim,

Thanks for the mail.

I am a total Banana Head. My goal is to completely restore the rest of my boat this winter, and finally add a second motor with a bracket

Do you have a photo of your cabin?