Center Bench Seat Storage Ideas?

[hcr32]

Hey Guys,

Looking for some ideas to make a storage hatch.

I have a 14' Princecraft Springbok and I want to cut some holes in the top of the center bench, remove some styrofoam and make a storage compartment to store my Plano boxes, tackle etc.

Just looking for some ideas/pictures to see what others have done.

Thanks

 

[krawler]

Center bench made into storage.

There is actually a lot of room down there.

 

[hcr32]

Wow, thats awesome.

What kind of fabric is wrapped on there? Some sort of vinyl?

 

[krawler]

The bench is aluminum with a wood core and painted with Grizzly Grip.

 

[aaron86]

This is my 12" Thomson I did a cooler and 4 Plano boxes I have room for one more

 

[aaron86]

Oh you dot see it in the pics but it locks so you don't have your tackle stolen

 

[Driftingrz]

easiest way would probably be like aarons. cut plywood to fit on the bench then cut out your hatch. i routered mine out then added a hatch.. though mine is inside the front bench which is part of the support for my front deck. holds tackle, scales and im gonna be keeping a soft cooler in there aswell. cant seem to have enough storage space on these little boats

 

[aaron86]

My cooler I made to fit used foam insulation and construction grade adhesive made to fit perfectly any an all pressure is put against the walls of the seat

 

[aaron86]

Check my thread 12" Thompson restore and mod you might get some ideas

 

[RiverBottomOutdoors]

Just wanted to point out that more than likely, you'll want a leak-proof hatch. What's the need of having storage if everything gets soaked when it rains? Rusts, rots or mildews...

 

[ChrisP]

HCR - My boat is smaller than yours so I did not want to sacrifice too much floatation. I decided to do a tempress hatch waterproof with a cam lock. for the inside I went to tap plastics, built a cheap box to use as an insert but you can also buy inserts. I insulated with mylar bubble insulation wrap and sealed/screwed the hatch in place, please look at my build thread in the signature for pics.

 

[hcr32]

Thanks for all the tips guys.

I started building mine yesterday and will post up some pictures when Im done!

Thanks again!