A Frame or No A Frame?!

[Bjohnson]

Been thinking for a little while now, how i might get a rear bench type seat into the back of my boat. I'm a little short on space for lazing around in the sunshine when moored up or at anchor!



My boat is a 6.5m, so should have some space to fit something but i think the A Frame is (one of) the limiting factors.



Just wondering views on whether a new A Frame could be fabricated with a wider 'stance' to give space for a rear bench seat or whether to do away with the A Frame completely, in favour of a stainless steel pole arrangement for the mooring light.



Anyone have any thoughts or know/recommend a company that might be able to assist with such a modification?



Pic isnt great, but I have a narrow and tall A Frame, it could be replaced with wider stanchions (although havent looked at any issues fixing the forward legs into the deck)

[xpertski]

I think most ribs of that size would replace the rear two jockeys with a bench seat if that was desired - are you thinking of adding. The bench right at the back adding a third row of seats? I guess changing or removing the A frame might help but does look tight in the photo from that angle

[Bjohnson]

Managed to find another photo, not too much better but you get the idea with the spacing of the A Frame

[xpertski]

I see - A frame is in the way, easily resolved but means a different A frame. As another option, what about a cool box (like IceyTek) with cushion on top? Might fit there and save any bigger jobs - and it fits beer in [emoji106]

[Daibheid]

You could ditch the A-Frame. I've had more than one crack badly from vibration and you can put the VHF aerial etc on a simple steel pole with a plate on top with the potential added advantage of making it foldable.

[treerat]

Leave the a frame in place and get a stainless frame made that incorporates it as part of the seat.

My local guy is great at things like but, but we're down in Devon

[Orwell boy]

At the risk of being slung off for swearing ,check out how Highfield ribs did the a frames on the 5.0m 2014 mine was (and others) ,they are masters of it ,i had a rear bench which simply folded down from the a frame ,as you raised the engine it pushed the seat back down out of the way ,sorry i dont have a photo but i have plans to copy the highfield idea on my ribcraft 5.3 ,it solves all the issues ,if you dont need it you can fold it up ,but when your engine is up the seatback must be down .

[spartacus]

Love a rear bench on a boat!

Up north we're usually fishing, not lazing around in the sunshine.

Couple of things, an A-frame with a wider stance (one that slightly overhangs the sponsons) can look better, but practically, what's it for? If you're not towing with it, and it's just for navigation lights and VHF antenna, you could opt for something different, as the integrity of the anchor points is crucial, so potentially bolts to the inside of the transom and has one set of legs in their current position. You're pushed for space anyway with the deck drain-well and witches hat for cables.

One thing to consider is if you move it, as you need access to insert a stainless plate to spread the load (you have a two witches hats for that). Where are the stringers under the deck, etc.

I like the idea of an integral seat mentioned earlier and how that could look.

Some interesting pictures here: https://www.mrstainless.co.uk/portfolio-items/a-frames/

[Bjohnson]

Thanks, some really helpful ideas there.

I like the additional stainless frame to incorporate a seat arrangement. Will ponder it some more when I'm out on the water at the weekend.