Thread: Benches on the GIS

Howdy,

The problem with side benches is that people use them and move the weight too far back in the boat. The person steering needs to be either on the mid seat or sitting just behind it on the gunwale or the floor.

Some might like standing in moderate conditions like I often do.

The other problem is I don't think they will work well in terms of moving around the boat. It is so high sided that the seats will prevent you from easily sitting on the gunwale. There is not enough room forward for side seats.

The other thing is that in designing the Goat I was trying to keep the hull weight as far under 140lbs as I could without any fancy construction of thin plywood. 140 lbs can be moved around by two people on the beach OK, but much over that and it is difficult. So didn't want to add extra stuff.

Best wishes

MIK

I thought side benches would be a good addition but I never figured out how to integrate them into my Goat. But an idea just occurred to me: a simple board long enough to span the seats with one edge straight and the other curved to approximate the curvature of the hull. Make only one and reposition it port and starboard as needed. If would probably need to be an inch or inch-and-a-quarter thick to support an adult, 3/4 inch might suffice for a child.

I'm old and stiff and don't relish sitting on the bottom of the boat so I just might give this a try myself.

OR 6mm ply with a support under the front and back edges.

MIK

This is the sort of thing I had in mind...maybe even one on each side attached in a hinging manner to the braces.

Sammilo

The other way I have used is just to put a box on either side just behind the main seat. The thing about the side seats is you cannot use most of them. But having a box big enough to sit on either side might be the simplest method.

I have used an Esky (icebox) in that way when heading off on a picnic with friends.

MIK

But having a box big enough to sit on either side might be the simplest method.

... perhaps insulated to make a chilly bin to keep the wine and picnic lunch cool in

I'll probably make a plywood box, like a milk crate size, to bring in my Goat.

I was thinking about storage last week, when I realized to my pleasant surprise that a standard milk crate fits nicely under the seat of the GIS. I'm sure this was an intentional "Design Feature" incorporated by the designer, and not just a happy accident. I'm also sure someday i'll get around to making some nice salty wooden crates to store random crap under the seat, but for now my local dairy will be providing light weight, rot resistant, multi-purpose (you can sit on them too) storage solutions for my as yet un-named sailing vessel!
Cheers,
-Al

Howdy,

I did design the seat height around the height of standard New York Milk crates.

NOT!

But then the 9ft oars fit in the boat in two ways despite not trying to do that either. I think we have to thank the Goddess!

MIK

The center thwart also will accept a 5 gallon hardware store bucket on its side, where it needs to be gently slid into place and it won't roll around or get in the way.

I use that bucket a lot...

Milkcrate fits, eh? Perfect!

Originally Posted by callsign222

Milkcrate fits, eh? Perfect!

Brilliant 21th century's ergonomics in boat design.

Originally Posted by callsign222

5 gallon hardware store bucket on its side, ...
I use that bucket a lot...

Milkcrate fits, eh? Perfect!

Damn, 5 gallon!? When you have to go you have to go, huh. What are you bringing one of those Joe-to-go cartons of coffee out with you when you sail?

I have a small 3 gallon bucket...yes, very handy!

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