Gunwale-to-Seat Braces

[Uncle Krusty]

This is for a 79 15' Gregor. It's missing several of the braces that connect the gunwales to the seats. Important structural elements, methinks. Gregor was no help; they've had a fire and are shut down. Ideas? Something simple, for a guy with few skills?

 

[airshot]

You could nake something from a nice wood, like mahogany and incorporate a rod holder in there. While these are not critical supports, they should be used to help stiffen the gunwales. The wood could be shaped any way you want as long as it ties the gunwale to the seat.

 

[Tin Man]

Another option could be some flat bar aluminum? Say, 2" wide x 1/8" thick. It is sold at Home Depot.
Aluminum Flat Bar

 

[Makaw]

Search for “multi purpose strap brace,” and you’ll find purchase options that should work. You could certainly custom-make something as well. Stores like Tractor Supply and Ace Hardware pop up with options when I search and look to be sized about right. Might need to tweak the brace angle as the boat is likely running >90 degree angle between seat and gunwale.

 

[LDUBS]

Making something similar from 1/8" aluminum bar stock would seem straightforward.

If you don't want to do it yourself, I would think an aluminum fabrication shop would turn something like that out at a reasonable cost. I frequently recommend Fish-On Fabrication located in Mobile AL. It is worth checking out their site. They are set up to mail products, so don't let the location put you off.

 

[Uncle Krusty]

You could nake something from a nice wood, like mahogany and incorporate a rod holder in there. While these are not critical supports, they should be used to help stiffen the gunwales. The wood could be shaped any way you want as long as it ties the gunwale to the seat.

Love that idea, but I'm not the right guy to pull it off. Besides, I'm going to sell this boat. I think those braces could be pretty important in the kind of rough water we can get out of nowhere in the PNW, so I'll sleep better if I take care of it.

 

[Uncle Krusty]

Search for “multi purpose strap brace,” and you’ll find purchase options that should work. You could certainly custom-make something as well. Stores like Tractor Supply and Ace Hardware pop up with options when I search and look to be sized about right. Might need to tweak the brace angle as the boat is likely running >90 degree angle between seat and gunwale.

That search got me a bunch of orthopedic braces. I then searched for "aluminum multipurpose brace and got a bunch of flagploe holders. Amazon showed me many pages of seat brackets. The internet is a strangely literal place.

 

[Uncle Krusty]

Flat aluminum bar seems to be the way to go. I had some and after some messing around, with the wrong tools, I think I can make it work. And I'm not the first to ask about this on here. LDUBS and airshot, you even suggested solutions.

Thanks, folks!

 

[Makaw]

That search got me a bunch of orthopedic braces.

weird! Gotta love internet algorithms.

 

[airshot]

Looking at that thin strap and a single screw supporting it...it is not that critical !! A nice piece of wood would actually be as good or better as a support. Do as you please, it is your boat and you need to feel comfortable with whatever you do. I think you are over thinking this but that is just my opinion.

 

[Uncle Krusty]

Looking at that thin strap and a single screw supporting it...it is not that critical !! A nice piece of wood would actually be as good or better as a support. Do as you please, it is your boat and you need to feel comfortable with whatever you do. I think you are over thinking this but that is just my opinion.

Oh yeah, I overthink everything. But without the brace you can flex the side of the boat by a couple of inches. I (overthinkingly maybe) Imagine heading into a big wave and having the boat fold over on itself. With two straps per seat it won't go anywhere. Even worse is when the seat is removed entirely; I see that a lot around here. They also remove the flotation from the seats to make room for storage.

I really like your rod holder idea. But this boat is not a keeper for me so I'm going to make it a better, safer boat than when I got it and release it back into the wild.

I'm going from this:



To this:



Both are 15', but the Sylvan is way bigger. Can't wait to get it out and kill some kokanee!

 

[airshot]

"Returning it back into the wild" is an understatement, some of the boaters I have saw are well beyond wild !!!

 

[airshot]

Oh yeah, I overthink everything. But without the brace you can flex the side of the boat by a couple of inches. I (overthinkingly maybe) Imagine heading into a big wave and having the boat fold over on itself. With two straps per seat it won't go anywhere. Even worse is when the seat is removed entirely; I see that a lot around here. They also remove the flotation from the seats to make room for storage.

I really like your rod holder idea. But this boat is not a keeper for me so I'm going to make it a better, safer boat than when I got it and release it back into the wild.

I'm going from this:
View attachment 113742


To this:

View attachment 113743

Both are 15', but the Sylvan is way bigger. Can't wait to get it out and kill some kokanee!

I have a 16' Sylvan SC and I love it, hadvto downsize as I mostly fish by myself due to wifes health issues. I was quite surprised how well it handles a two foot chop on Lake Erie. Mine is a 1992 and does not leak a single drop!! Hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine!!

 

[Uncle Krusty]

I have a 16' Sylvan SC and I love it, hadvto downsize as I mostly fish by myself due to wifes health issues. I was quite surprised how well it handles a two foot chop on Lake Erie. Mine is a 1992 and does not leak a single drop!! Hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine!!

I plan too, thanks! Mine's only 15', I wonder how it will handle the rough stuff. We shall see!

 

[LDUBS]

It looks a lot bigger than 15'. Congrats & enjoy!

 

[Uncle Krusty]

It looks a lot bigger than 15'. Congrats & enjoy!

It does, especially parked next to the Gregor, but I think the canvas makes it look bigger. It came on a rusted out trailer so this weekend my buddy Jerry is going to help me modify the replacement trailer and swap the boat onto it. Sounds like a new thread, eh? It'll be a Frankentrailer.

 

[airshot]

Nothing better than custom made !!

 

[LDUBS]

It does, especially parked next to the Gregor, but I think the canvas makes it look bigger. It came on a rusted out trailer so this weekend my buddy Jerry is going to help me modify the replacement trailer and swap the boat onto it. Sounds like a new thread, eh? It'll be a Frankentrailer.

A trailer rebuild thread is necessary!