Gas Struts on hinged seats?

[Bluewater272]

Wondering if anyone has done this? I love the hinged seats, but they slam pretty easily. Would be nice to put gas struts on them to slow their closing, but not sure how to select/size.

 

[Jameson Clark]

I'd love to do this as well

 

[F.M.]

That's a good idea. I'm following this.

 

[Mainah]

I did this on the one behind the driver and it works great at both keeping the seat up and to keep it from bouncing when down. I had swapped the gas strust on the floor locker to a slight longer one then used the floor locker strut on the seat. I am going to find an equivalent for that strut on Amazon and do the other 3 and the fronts slap in rough water and the one behind the co captain like to try and close when I am reaching far in.

 

[F.M.]

View attachment 81053 I did this on the one behind the driver and it works great at both keeping the seat up and to keep it from bouncing when down. I had swapped the gas strust on the floor locker to a slight longer one then used the floor locker strut on the seat. I am going to find an equivalent for that strut on Amazon and do the other 3 and the fronts slap in rough water and the one behind the co captain like to try and close when I am reaching far in.

The 45lb rating isn't too stiff?

 

[Mainah]

The 45lb rating isn't too stiff?

It is just a bit stiff. 35lb may be enough. Will have to see what I can find cheap. Like many of my mods this was a use what I have laying around.

 

[Bluewater272]

Figures, I get a decent idea and Mainah's already done it - lol!

 

[Mainah]

I would hate to total up all of the time I have into mods. While I enjoy doing projects they have been too numerous on this boat. I do plan on keep for a long while but my next boat will not be something that I have to do many mods on. If gas struts are what is needed to keep the seats from slamming when cursing then they should have had gas struts. Boats also should not leak so don't get me started. When doing this mod it is probably a good time to check out your tower mounts for tightness.

 

[BBottoms]

@Mainah - Did you ever do any of the other seats or swap the cylinder to a lighter rating than 45#?

 

[F.M.]

I finally got around to ordering some 35# struts and mounts from Amazon. They should be in later this week. I'll post some pictures as soon as I get them installed.

 

[Mainah]

Guess I forgot to update on this one. I did put on all 4 seats. I think I ended up with a single 22.5lb 15 inch on each seat. I wanted to be able to hold the seats down as well as up which they do given the way I mounted. I will have to take some photos and verify the sizes used.

 

[Mainah]

Guess I forgot to update on this one. I did put on all 4 seats. I think I ended up with a single 22.5lb 15 inch on each seat. I wanted to be able to hold the seats down as well as up which they do given the way I mounted. I will have to take some photos and verify the sizes used.

I apologize. I was on the boat this weekend and forgot about this. I will try to remember next time.

 

[F.M.]

I just finished mounting my attempt at gas struts under the seats. I used a 15" - 35# one on each seat and it works well at holding the seats up and down, but its a little stiff. I think a 22.5# like @Mainah used would probably work better.

 

[Mainah]

Yep 100n/22.5 lb 15 inch struts is what I used on all 4. It took me a couple tries to get the position right. I ended up removing the ball from the bracket on the compartment side and mounted the ball direct to the fiberglass to get a perfect standoff. Boat needs a deep cleaning after 3 months on the lift and use so please excuse that In the photos.

 

[Cparker2]

I'm also tired of the rug-rats letting the lids slam down. I installed strut on front port locker and i'll be damned if it isn't still slamming shut. I've tried both 22.5lb and 45lb - 15 inch struts. Any advice / guidance? The lid will stand open at 45deg with the strut installed but the last 5 inches it'll still slam shut with the same 'slappy' force.

 

[Cleveland Steamer]

I just ordered some felt bumpers (for cabinet doors). I'm gonna try these before I go the gas strut route.

 

[Julian]

I'm also tired of the rug-rats letting the lids slam down. I installed strut on front port locker and i'll be damned if it isn't still slamming shut. I've tried both 22.5lb and 45lb - 15 inch struts. Any advice / guidance? The lid will stand open at 45deg with the strut installed but the last 5 inches it'll still slam shut with the same 'slappy' force.

View attachment 162240 View attachment 162241

Total guess, but perhaps you don't have your balls in the right place!! LOL

 

[Overtime81]

I just ordered some felt bumpers (for cabinet doors). I'm gonna try these before I go the gas strut route.

View attachment 162798

That’s what I did. Made a huge difference