I saw this on another guys boat.. Thought it may be a good option to removing my middle seat.. (I have 4 benches, the 2nd from the back) I would run one down each side from seat to seat.. Then take the floatation foam from my seat and cut it to where it would fit under the 2x4.... I would integrate them a little better with the front and back bench.. But looks like it should be just as strong as with the middle bench.. My bench does not connect to the bottom anywhere, just at the sides..