Diy Cooler Seat

skobi1 · Addict Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 639 City: eugene, or

There seemed to be some interest in the cooler seat I built in my VLX this winter so I decided to post some pics.

In one picture you will notice the white colored water line. this is the drain for the cooler, it just drains into the bilge next to the gas tank.

In one of the pics you can see also at the bottom right corner the aircraft safety toggles I installed for the rear ballast.

vette74 · Posted: Apr 06, 2005 5:04 am Post subject:

Nice work skobi1, that was a good idea. How much did it cost?

89 skier · Addict Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 729 City: Dallas

How did you make the box? What material? And what did you coat it with to make it waterproof?

skobi1 · Addict Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 639 City: eugene, or

I bought UHMW plastic from a local supplier. 1" thick by 4'x4'. I used the plastic just as you would use lumber to make the seat base. then I tapped a hole into the rear bottom of the base screwed a fitting into it and routed a drain hose to the bilge. A local upholstery shop made the cusion for me. I had some repair work done to two other cushions at the same time. I used a urethane sealant to seal the inside of the cooler and got marine carpet to match the interior of my boat for the outside of it and presto! I think total I spent about 300.00 and the majority was for the uhpolstery shop to make the cushion.

Buergday · Guest

Looks really nice. Great job!

vision135 · Posted: Apr 06, 2005 4:55 pm Post subject:

Stellar Job! Thats sweet what you did with the drain.

89 skier · Addict Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 729 City: Dallas

How heavy is the cooler? Does it wash out the wake on the other side when there's only a couple of people in the boat?

Juice75 · Outlaw Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 218 City: Austin

skobi1, nice job! Where did you get the hinge for the cooler? I've been looking for something similar for my sundeck, but haven't been able to find it.

skobi1 · Addict Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 639 City: eugene, or

89 skier, Whole thing with the cushion, empty weighs is about 30-40 lbs. I've always had trouble with the wake because more people could sit on the pass side. We would ususlly bring a normal cooler and put it there for someone to sit on anyway. That's what prompted me to build it.

Juice75, I got the hinge from alocal building supply like lowes or home depot. Just make sure you buy stainless steel.

AndyDeeJay · Outlaw Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 239 City: Belfast

This is excellent work!

My 99 Xstar has only got the rear facing passenger seat and a rear bench. I would like to bridge the gap just like all the new boats.

Where did you get the UHMW plastic? what did you ask for and did they look at you strangly? Does anyone in the UK know where to get this stuff

skobi1 · Addict Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 639 City: eugene, or

AndyDeeJay, I have a local plastic supplier that I got it from. Anyplace that sells plaexiglass should be able to direct you where to buy UHMW.