Z Series Center Seat Mod

[Phoenix Ed]

Okay I knew Mark was doing his one way, but you know we all have wild ideas. So here is my version. Still in the prototype stage, but it worked pretty well for my partner last weekend for four days fishing.

It consists of:
12 x 24 Diamond Plate Aluminum
2 pcs - 0.220" thick Plexiglass
1/2" Aluminum Plywood Trim
2 - Hinges with removable pins (Matched the existing hole centers)
Stainless screws

[NitroZ701]

nice job they all look good

[mdsmith]

Thanks for the ideas. I have a 2008 Z-7 and wanted to take out the middle seat after the first time I took it out fishing. I ended up using marine board material and used the original brackets to install the 2 pieces. Now the bottom is still removeable, I didn't have to drill extra holes, I can put it all back if the need arises, and I don't have to worry about it rotting.
Finished Install

[Phoenix Ed]

Looks good, add some non-slip strips to keep the partner from busting their rear!

[Syncros]

Here are some picture of the seat mod I did in my X-5.

I started with a 1 inch thick plastic cutting board I got from amazon.com. I cut it to size using a table saw then covered it in a sheet of surfboard traction pad. I used industrial velcro for rough surfaces to hold it down as regular velcro wouldn't stick to the cutting board. The board will not flex and it will not move. The surfboard traction pad has just a little cushion to it if someone needed to sit there for a bit.

I was planning on putting either an aluminum t-nut or a black plastic push rivet like they use on cars where the holes where for the seat back but once I took the seat back off I realized that wouldn't work because how it had been drilled (and drilled and drilled and drilled some more).

My boat is red and white which is why I left the edge white in on the step in one of the pictures but after looking at it I decided to wrap it as well and that is why you see the cut on the top front of the step.

I think if I had carpeted it with matching carpet it would look factory. Grey nonslip rubber, or nonslip rubber that matched the Nitro diamond pattern would look better as well I think as would rounding the corners on the seat back section.

The first picture is the finished step (ignore the carp, he actually had just jumped in the boat). The second picture is why put a part of the traction where the seat back was, sigh. Third picture is the cutting board. Forth picture is in progress. Final picture shows the reveal I left on the back of it, the baby goose I had just cut out of about 30 feet of braid, not mine, and he was so tired he couldn't stand up so I let him relax in the boat for an hour then let him go around some other geese.

[dvkawboy]

the diamond plate looks tacky

[Phoenix Ed]

the diamond plate looks tacky

Without getting too blunt, your opinion is appreciated. However to each his own. I started with diamond plate and went through it and a couple of more versions before settling on what I have now. The design of the middle seat on the Z7 left a lot to be desired and the purpose of this sticky was to share ideas on how each of us approached this problem. If you have a great idea to share, then we welcome your input.

[reelman]

One can only imagine the burns southern guys will get 5 months a year with that IF metal is used there...re-think.

[Phoenix Ed]

One can only imagine the burns southern guys will get 5 months a year with that IF metal is used there...re-think.

Yeah Doug, there was some concern with the metal, hence the various iterations I went through. It was spring when I did it the first time........

[Nitro Z7]

Going to do mine, how do you get the back of the seat off?

[sumterbasser]

I can tell you guys that bright shinny finish will blind you in the summer time. I made my recessed trolling motor tray out of the same stuff. When I turn just right it blinds me. It does attract heat.

[SWL_Justin]

Finally got mine done. Not near as nice as some of the ones posted. Not a carpenter Thanks to Charger69 for PM's and all you guys on here for posting

[Charger69]

looks good. more useful than the center seat.

[Biggest bass]

Heres my center seat delete on my 2013 Z-8.

[CANNITRO482]

Heres my center seat delete on my 2013 Z-8.

Very clean, what did you use for the base?

[chuckna]

how do you get the back seat off???

[CANNITRO482]

how do you get the back seat off???

You have to take out the rear plastic containers then reach in, there are nuts tucked nicely in a hard to reach place

[Biggest bass]

I glued and nailed two pieces of 3/4 inch birch finish sanded plywood together. I finished them out with body filler, primed it with a 2k primer. I painted it white with Dupont Imron paint due to its ability to hold up really well under extreme conditions, last but not least I added 3m grips strips. I bought a long hinge from the hardware store that all the holes lined up with those already in the boat [By some lucky chance!]. No new holes drilled and can put the factory seat back at a later date should I choose to. I plan on adding a Nitro decal to the rear board. The rear board is necassary since Nitro drills Giant oblong holes to attach the back of the seat.

[CANNITRO482]

[MakhuluBass]

Wow that looks factory fitted - very sweet!