I'm converting a jon boat and would like to know if there is a proper way to remove the metal seats ?

There are three seats I only want to remove the middle one.

I would recommend against it. They add to the structural integrity of the hull.

I would recommend against it also.  Most Jon boats have styrofoam flotation within the seat housing.

Yeah, what they said...do not remove the seats...if you do, you're going to have a big piece of scrap metal.

I built my deck at the level of the seats,,, so they actually became part of the decking... that way you still have the larger casting deck but less weight than building over the top of the seats.....

as far as removing the seats, I agree with what the others have stated,, you are messing with hull integrity, unless you can contact the manufacturer, and they tell you you can do it with out compromising your hull.

I'm converting a jon boat and would like to know if there is a proper way to remove the metal seats ?

here is a quote i found from another site.  just in case anyone wants a greater explaination

LJ, the aft deck/platform is too critical to remove in this design according to the very little visible details of a plan view diagram on the web.

That box stablizes the warped bottom, the sides and the transom/motor mount all at once by creating a thwart (inverted box) beam.

manufactured boats are engineered to the final percent of metal versus shape versus costs. I doubt they've left you room to remove ANY parts and retain the structural integrity of the boat.

As you add people, the boat will draw more water which will push in on the sides as the boat sits lower and this box is all that is provided to resist the sides' inward lean in the stern 1/3 of the boat.

The tunnel or warp in the bottom looks fully supported by this boxed area - so if you remove the area of the vertical sides of the box across this part of the hull, it will very likely begin to flex and crack.

I can't see the details clearly on the web provided info, but for certain if you cut anything out of their boat you're voiding whatever back-up they offer and you're discussing cutting out one of only two main structural tranverse elements of that boat.

Don't cut out the deck platform the boat will "work" in diagonally, may allow the tunnel to flex and the sides to transom gussets will be loaded much higher that planned and will fail.

I'm not an expert in these boats, but have "repaired" lots of freshwater sleds.

Cheers,

kmorin

removing the seat can be accomplished, but its not an easy task.  a way is not to take out the complete seat, but use the sides and bottom as ribs.  this is to keep the structural integrity intact.  if you can, order 2 ribs, or construct 2 ribs in place of the seat.

you can also pickup some marine foam to replace the foam you take out.  be sure to pickup approved marine foam.

good luck

i have a 1436 alumacraft, and i will be removing my middle seat soon.

You can remove the seat but you will have to add additional ribs, probably 2 ribs for each seat, and maybe 3.

The you will still need to address the problem of foam flotation which I believe is mandatory by the USCG.