Thwart

[Tommy c]

I've just purchased a bombard ax3 airdeck, my first ever inflatable.
It doesn't have a thwart or any provision for one.
Not being familiar with them can I simply slide a cross plank under the grab ropes and just rest it on top of the tubes or should I glue some pockets onto the tube and fit angle brackets to the plank to fit into the pockets.
If the latter, what glue and material do I need to form the pockets
Thanks

[Fenlander]

For a small SIB like that if on a river/lake a plank across onto the tubes might suit but it would probably chafe on the sea.

You can buy the fittings to glue to the tubes and matching ones that screw to a bit of wood to make a seat.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/14175804339...BoC6uoQAvD_BwE

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/2x-Heavy-Du...BoCDOwQAvD_BwE

[jeffstevens763@g]

you could try one of these


https://seamarknunn.com/acatalog/IBS...jRiL8NYOH8ci39

[Tommy c]

Yeah it came with one of them Jeff.
I was wanting to fit a rigid board so I could fit a plastic seat to it for a bit of back support.

[Tommy c]

I'll have a look at them Fen, Ta

[Tommy c]

If I sit the board on top of the tube, will the tube want to 'fold' or should it be ok

[Fenlander]

No the tube won't want to fold any more than it would with the proper fixings assuming the board is the same sort of width as a normal one. Tubes up to correct pressure resist folding.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Some do this seat tom on the floor or a bean bag


https://www.vidaxl.co.uk/e/871847585...IEDRW8xkygyfz5

[Fenlander]

In the USA they love modding the small Intex inflatables. Bit over the top to me but loads of seating ideas.

https://www.google.com/search?q=seat...SujUxz6KUZvwPM

[jeffstevens763@g]

i had this for a while seat fixed to the frame with a kayak seat on top ive since changed it to the kayak seat on top of 20mm hdpe sheet bolted through the hogging strip resting on the tube top & transom with a stilt onto the floor. the backrest is supported by an upright of hdpe hinged off the hdpe base with a stop for support it works for me but not for all. i find with a seat across the boat it limits me pulling up the engine in a hurry.
the seat i linked some have them on a frame which sits under the tube and doesn't need fixing easy to remove too.
the blow up stuff that fenlander linked is worth a look but depends on how high you want to be.

worth a look bit expensive but a backrest should be easy to sort
https://www.seascrew.com/browse.cfm?...-&l=0000001082

[Tommy c]

Yeah, the one in the link is exactly what I've got bolted on my tackle box that I use in my shetland.
With the dinghy being an airdeck and inflatable keel, it rocks over the keel and I'm unsure about the stub feet on each corner.
I've thought about fitting a 6mm piece of ply to the bottom of the tackle box and not inflating the keel but then loose the benefit from a keel.
So next idea was to fit the folding seat to a solid thwart but then again will the thwart rock backwards ?

[Tommy c]

That looks great Jeff.
Was the original set up with the stilt to stop it rocking?
How effective was it?
Would that set up be ok on the airdeck?
Or possibly the thwart resting on top of the tubes with the stilts?

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Tommy c

Yeah, the one in the link is exactly what I've got bolted on my tackle box that I use in my shetland.
With the dinghy being an airdeck and inflatable keel, it rocks over the keel and I'm unsure about the stub feet on each corner.
I've thought about fitting a 6mm piece of ply to the bottom of the tackle box and not inflating the keel but then loose the benefit from a keel.
So next idea was to fit the folding seat to a solid thwart but then again will the thwart rock backwards ?

Fit the seat as David has linked gluing the retainers on but fit the seat you have port starboard facing it won't rock then, you can steer the boat from that position too if you want

[jeffstevens763@g]

I guess this is what your after
https://www.google.com/search?q=boat...WV8ynspQkeMxcM

[jeffstevens763@g]

https://youtu.be/JGOtlj7ObTI

This might be of interest

[Tommy c]

Brill. ��
Do you think a frame like that will be ok on an airdeck?
��

[jeffstevens763@g]

With protection tom a sheet of neoprene or similar, I like the swivel idea too doubles up to fishing and driving position with thought you could incorporate a tackle box in the dead space etc.

[Tommy c]

Plenty of ideas. Thanks guys

[Tommy c]

This is what I've done. Can any of you experienced sibbers see any problems ie stressing the tubes or grab ropes/fittings etc or balance issues in position etc?
Ta

[Ferryman]

Originally Posted by Tommy c

This is what I've done. Can any of you experienced sibbers see any problems ie stressing the tubes or grab ropes/fittings etc or balance issues in position etc?

Ta

Sorry but it’s wrong in just about every way, there’s no lateral support, you’re too high unless in the centre of the boat, relying on the grab ropes and tubes for too much support........