Installation of the Seat Supports

In the attached photos you will see where I have begun the installation of the seat supports.  This has been quite time consuming because a lot of trial and error fitting & trimming was done to get the seat tops to match the contour of the sides of the boat.  Rememebr---I had to add about 3" to the width @ panel "B" in order to get an acceptable hull shape.

I also decided to angle the seat sides rather than have the sides perfectly verticle or perpendicular to the seat tops.  (see photo 108) My experience in sailing leads me to believe that the angle will provide a little more comfort to the hamstrings and calves while sitting on the seats--especially while heeling.

Anyway--the seats seem to be coming together nicely at this point.  I will post additional pictures in the next day or so depicting the cleats I used on the inside panels of the seats.  Once I permanently secure the seat sides, I will install foam for flotation in at least two areas under the seats.

If anyone has any comments or suggestions as to using foam I would love to hear them.  I will be cutting at least two hatches in the seat sides for storage.  The foam I plan to use will be "Great Stuff" which was recommended by a few boat builders in the area.  I'm not sure how much of the foam is in a can but it is my understanding that each cubic foot of foam = about 60 lbs of positive flotation.  My plan is to use about 5 cubic feet and so that I can have approximately 300 lbs. of positive flotation.  I'll let you know how it turns out. 

Steve