I'm refurb'ing my Wellcraft 233 Eclipse this spring and am building a new helm seat. Its going to be a back-back style with a common backrest and the back rest will hinge toward the bow to create a lounge seat.

I would like it to have a fiberglass appearance when it is all done, though I don't think that building it out of glass is quite necessary. Here was my plan:

Build the box with exterior grade ply. Seal with epoxy (west System?) and then leave enough of a layer of epoxy to sand smooth. Then paint with awlgrip by roller.

I'm far more than handy with carpentry, metalworking and the such. I've done some very rough fiberglass layup in the past but I'm not sure that its quite necessary here. I want to seal the wood in an out and save the expense of buying Starboard so I thought this process might work well.

Tell me where or why this won't work!

Thanks!
-Chris

I made foot rests out of marine grade plywood. Then glassed them. Had my repair guy shoot them with geloat. Cost me less than a gallon of Awlgrip and no mess.

That should work or you could just buy a set from West Marine or someone. No fuss.. Order them today install them tomorrow and go boating

I was thinking the same thing but were is the pain in that

Actually, I did buy an off-the-shelf seat for the port side. Its the helm side that I didn't want the run of the mill lounge. Mine will be double wide with built in cooler storage, subwoofer box and other amenities. Hence the pain.

Sounds like it should be OK so I'll get started. I'll post pics when its done.

Cheers!



-Chris

Chris, If you do a good job with this it will be very strong. Remember to use SS hardware. You can use fine fiberglass cloth with the epoxy. I like the idea of the dual helm, everyone wants to drive.