jockey seat storage

[Xk59D]

got a problem...i'll put it right out there......ribcraft jockey seats are crap for storage due to the design.

i'm debating putting a hatch on them so i can get to the storage space for something basic like buffers and spare fuel tank. the current seats have an opening of 4", no use for most days out.

has anyone done this with a double ribcraft jockey? i don't want to do if it will weaken the seat.

ideally what i want to do is put a 5l jerry can inside the seat for my aux outboard. to do so i need a hatch.

cheers

[rmark]

Not sure about seat. But wouldn't you be better with a plastic can to prevent corrosion issues

[Xk59D]

i'll worry about that IF i can get anything in the seat.

cheers

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

i'll worry about that IF i can get anything in the seat.

cheers

Those hatches aren't that strong. I didn't put a fire extinguisher locker I have into one of my Ballistic seats for the same reason-I thought it'd weaken the base too much and suspected it'd splinter if it got landed on hard.

Maybe a hatch in the front or rear, but definitely not the sides IMO.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

got a problem...i'll put it right out there......ribcraft jockey seats are crap for storage due to the design.

i'm debating putting a hatch on them so i can get to the storage space for something basic like buffers and spare fuel tank. the current seats have an opening of 4", no use for most days out.

has anyone done this with a double ribcraft jockey? i don't want to do if it will weaken the seat.

ideally what i want to do is put a 5l jerry can inside the seat for my aux outboard. to do so i need a hatch.

cheers

This is a bit "out there" but a few years back I converted a jockey pod into an auxilary fuel tank... I had a stainless tank fabricated that fitted into the jockey with a bit of foam padding, then I bolted the Jockey down to the deck so that the tank was locked inside. You could access the top of the tank under the cushion and in the back of the jockey pod I had a 6" round hatch with the fuel line coiled up inside that conncted to either the auxilary or the main engine.

It held about 25 litres I think.

[Xk59D]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Those hatches aren't that strong. I didn't put a fire extinguisher locker I have into one of my Ballistic seats for the same reason-I thought it'd weaken the base too much and suspected it'd splinter if it got landed on hard.

Maybe a hatch in the front or rear, but definitely not the sides IMO.

So I am not the only one concerned about it.

The only other option is to modify something like this

Rotopax 1.75 US Gallon Fuel Pack (RX-1.75G) > Rotopax Fuel & Fluid Packs

Damn expensive though but I can't find anything else with decent capacity that fits.

Chris, my jockey is already glasses down but I could get something made that would fit.

Tbh, it is a joke the size of these seats and the opening is 4"

Cheers

[Nos4r2]

Avon bladder tank. That is, if you can work out how to get the fuel out without it all going everywhere.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

So I am not the only one concerned about it.

The only other option is to modify something like this

Rotopax 1.75 US Gallon Fuel Pack (RX-1.75G) > Rotopax Fuel & Fluid Packs

Damn expensive though but I can't find anything else with decent capacity that fits.

Chris, my jockey is already glasses down but I could get something made that would fit.

Tbh, it is a joke the size of these seats and the opening is 4"

Cheers

You can get flat fenders and perhaps a smaller fuell can etc. It might be a case of haivng to find items that fit rather than modifying the seats.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Chris

You can get flat fenders and perhaps a smaller fuell can etc. It might be a case of haivng to find items that fit rather than modifying the seats.

these are my old seats with bomar hatches fitted in the rear the plates on top were for coastal pro seats but before that the seat hinged to one side leaving a large opening in the region of 10 x 20 inches

regards jeff

[Xk59D]

i called Jason at RC.

He is happy the way the seat is built that it will be fine with a sensible size hatch.

They suggest the 9.5x19" hatch as the max they would consider.

Will have a think on what to do.

cheers

[steco1958]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

got a problem...i'll put it right out there......ribcraft jockey seats are crap for storage due to the design.

i'm debating putting a hatch on them so i can get to the storage space for something basic like buffers and spare fuel tank. the current seats have an opening of 4", no use for most days out.

has anyone done this with a double ribcraft jockey? i don't want to do if it will weaken the seat.

ideally what i want to do is put a 5l jerry can inside the seat for my aux outboard. to do so i need a hatch.

cheers

Just a thought is your main engine and Aux fuel compatible, i.e. 4stroke, or 2stroke with same mix?

If so, don't bother with extra tank, simply, re-engineer the fuel line to fuel both !!

[Xk59D]

hey buddy,

that is certainly an option as both are 4 stroke.

the reason, well 2 really, i wanted a sep tank was it give me redundancy for bad fuel and it means less chance of leaking or air into the big motor. outboard connections are not that great when left in the elements as you may have noticed when not plugged in.

however, no doubt, it is a very viable option.

cheers

[Maximus]

How big is the inbuilt fuel tank in yours?....I have a 225ltr that will actually take closer to 240 or more,which gives me plenty of range with a very Econ friendly 250hp Suz
(Especially at Cruising speeds.)
I see you have a 200hp so yours will be even more Frugal.....on the rare occasions I want to take extra...I just strap a couple of plastic 25 litres fore and aft..,which helps balance things out too.
Something you may want to consider if you are going to put fuel in the seat pods...Ie have one each side.
I don't know what sort of Boating you do...but it Seems a lot of messing about modifieing seats just to carry a bit of extra juice...on the odd occasion..pluss you loose dry storage for other kit in the process.
I can also carry four 10 litre cans in the front consul seat,but as I say it's rarley if ever needed.
Have you done the sums on how much range you have with your Rig yet?

[Xk59D]

hi maximus,

i don't know range yet.

I have the same tank as you, i haven't filled it yet to confirm.

i don't have a console seat to store anything in.

yes, it is a lot of faffing about but it isn't for range, it is purely for safety as i always take an aux with me.

cheers

[nocando]

A hatch in stern of port n starb rear seats. simples..

[bedajim]

If you're really concerned have a couple of stainless flanges laser cut to sandwich the fibre glass inside & out and mount the hatch to them, you can have the hatch fixings holes cut to and fix it all with the same bolts.

It'll even cover any crap cutting with the disk cutter!!

I assume you'll be using a disk cutter to make the hole in the seat pod

[jeffstevens763@g]

put quite a few hatches in now put a film of sticky backed plastic over area to fit hatch the stuff you line draws with to protect the gel coat from scratches off the saw, mark out hole use a electric jig saw to cut hole with fine toothed blade, fit bomar hatches as they are very strong no need for any reinforcement glue in with sikoflex or marineflex and bolts takes an hour

[Poly]

Hang on folks... Tech Admins going to need to reinforce the servers if we're having a how to cut a hole thread!

[jeffstevens763@g]

just trying to be helpful to some cutting holes in expensive boats is a daunting task one slip up £600 worth of seat gone the original thread does state he cant use the storage. two good hatches will sort the fuel issue and make the bases much more usable. i have a split fuel system but the tanks are under the consul away from the elements.

[Maximus]

If it's only a five liter Fuel can your worried about.. why not just put a cage/holder/straps and keep it inside the consul?