Shock absorbing seat bottoms?

[Kurt_Ayres]

Greetings, all!

I'm making ply/lumber seats for a runabout restoration, and would like to add some kind of shock-absorbing capability to the seat bottoms (in addition to cushions, of course), instead of plain old ply (it seems that 1/2 inch is used frequently). Do you guys think that a thinner ply would work (3/8 maybe?), or some kind of wooden strips? I would hate to go to all the work to make and install strips if they are too thin and just break, or are too thick and don't have any give. Maybe some other non-wood material might be out there that I'm not thinking about. The seats are 18" wide.

I'd appreciate your input!

Kurt Ayres
Avon, Illinois

[Breakaway]

I wouldn't Builld the seats to flex. If your set on this concept, consider integrating shock-mitigating seat pedestals into the build.Several manufacturers sell them for the high-performance and military/rescue markets. They are pricey.

Don't take this the wrong way; but wouldn't slowing down be cheaper and easier?

Kevin

Kevin

[dombrob]

As per Ken Bassett's Rascal design:

1 x 3 frame around perimeter (and between persons) with woven webbing stretched in between.

Link to the exact webbing I used: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-RUBBER-ELA...item4aafa96b7c

Don't bother with the special webbing clips, just use a pneumatic stapler with Monel/SS.

Picture to follow.

[dombrob]

In progress, but you get the idea. The stiffness can really vary depending on how much you stretch the webbing during installation. I stretched it about 10% and ended up going to an extra firm foam for the feeling I wanted.

[wizbang 13]

For my hard riding runabout I use 4 layers of thin closed cell foam (yoga mats) on a piece of 3/8 ths ply, covered in fabric.It sits on the bottom stringers, unfastened.
If the boat goes down in deep water, I will reach for it first as a personal life raft.
I sit cross legged, "Indian " style, when things get hairy. And they DO get hairy.