Hinges better than nothing

[rockymtnsurfer]

Was bored last weekend and decided to put hinges on my midship cushions. They won't open all the way due to the fiberglass hull shape, but they open enough for me to not complain about taking the cushion off.

https://youtube.com/shorts/enT1u-WHbOE

https://youtube.com/shorts/_-NfhydkNPI

https://youtube.com/shorts/KtxrvT5bg9Q

[bobby1110]

thats exactly what i was looking at doing. can you make a list of parts and links to what you got to make this work or maybe a how to?

[HFarr]

I'm not sure that's really too much less of a clearance than the stock hinges give on my Makai. Nice job.

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[996scott]

Those turned out great. Nice job.

[Mxmark4]

What hinges are those? Link?

[rockymtnsurfer]

This is what I based the whole plan off of. I had to create my own brackets from scratch becasuse the sizing for AXIS is not the same. Also, the left to right sizing (opening under seat) on both port and starboard goes smaller to wider. I purchased the hinges on this link and made the brackets in my shop from scrap. I clamped everything together till the right position was there for opening and closing and no gaps in the rear. After I was satisfied with the proper function, I marked all holes and cuts and drilled away. One other thing that I did which I might not have had to do was....the screws into the bottom of the seat I filed down. #14 only came in 3/4 ". The seat plastic from what I could tell was about 1/2". The hinge plus the plastic put it at 5/8. I was paranoid that the screw tip might go into my chill tech vinyl if stepped on. I think it might not have (do to a Nautique remodel I did years ago) but with the added cost for the chill tech, I didn't want to chance it. I filed down 3/4" to 1/2" and did a 1/8 depth pre drill hole since it had no tip. Not sure if all this makes sense:). Most important lesson I learned, do not drill holes in boat or the bracket you made until you're 100% sure you like the position of everything and it works just like you want. The seat only opens part way due to the clamp hitting the fiberglass back rail. One the G23, I noticed the fiberglass was made with a "cut in" to allow the hinge to go further back and thus the seat opens all the way. Tons of clamps were my best friend. Hope this helps.

BTW the starboard side works the same way...BUT if you have a newer model with the back rest, you have to take that off to open the compartment. 1 pull of the pin and it's out. I still thought it was better than removing the cushion. I decide not to store stuff in that side that I use often.

Feel free to PM if you want to talk about it.

https://www.bakesonline.com/axis-bench-seat-bracket-kit.html

[Moombas]

I was looking at the Makais and their seat seems to open just a litte further. I am going to order the OEM Moomba hinges and use the same cross member design you used. It looks like some Malibu boats also use a hinge that looks like almost identical to the moomba hinge. https://www.greatlakesskipper.com/malibu-boat-folding-seat-hinges-5651022-7-1-4-x-4-inch-set-of-2-all-questions

It looks like the moomba hinge has a slightly shorter action and is mounted just a little further back on the cross member. Hard to tell forsure though.

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[HFarr]

This is one of the hinged seats in my 2021 Makai. I'm pretty happy with how wide it opens. Note that there are no support bars.. The hinges mount directly to the fiberglass. I have not checked, but I would suspect the fiberglass is thicker where they mount.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230920/7fd8dee9fa9916cd0694e850816d315c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230920/f8b775b2e7dee8914251bacae88e5aea.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230920/ca097588a18413d667a860b1a95f3078.jpg

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[Moombas]

HFarr, it looks like where the hinge mounts to the bottom of your seat is at the very edge. The screw closest to the edge of the seat, does that screw into the vinyl lip?

[HFarr]

HFarr, it looks like where the hinge mounts to the bottom of your seat is at the very edge. The screw closest to the edge of the seat, does that screw into the vinyl lip?These are zoomed up on the left and right hinges. The bottom, or back screw, is in the vinyl overlap. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20231002/3e2f9c0e05e751eb04f7051bcdeaf17e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20231002/6e69137db79485506666648c68f62db7.jpg

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[Moombas]

I now understand why no one has been able to get hinges to work with full range on a Moomba Max. After looking at moombas with factory hinges at the boat show they have a cut out around the hinge in the fiber glass. Looks like if I notch my fiber glass a little I can get the hinge to have full range. When the seat is fully closed the hinge goes back into the cut out. 30994

[Moombas]

Was bored last weekend and decided to put hinges on my midship cushions. They won't open all the way due to the fiberglass hull shape, but they open enough for me to not complain about taking the cushion off.

https://youtube.com/shorts/enT1u-WHbOE

https://youtube.com/shorts/_-NfhydkNPI

https://youtube.com/shorts/KtxrvT5bg9Q

Any chance you have these videos posted elsewhere? The youtube links are dead. I finally figured out why the seats don't open all the way, you'd have to notch the fiberglass to move the hinge further back.

[MJHSupra]

Any chance you have these videos posted elsewhere? The youtube links are dead. I finally figured out why the seats don't open all the way, you'd have to notch the fiberglass to move the hinge further back.

Might try to shoot him a message . . . . probably skiing

[rockymtnsurfer]

Any chance you have these videos posted elsewhere? The youtube links are dead. I finally figured out why the seats don't open all the way, you'd have to notch the fiberglass to move the hinge further back.

Message me an I will give you my number and text them to you. Too long of a story but I cleared out my you tube, if you want to post them after you get them, have at it. Also, on the Makai, the supports of the fiber glass are in the right spots, but not on the Max, hence why supports are needed. Also, yes the other companies seat open fully due to the fiberglass shape around the seat. They do a curve void mold in the back of the seat that allows them to open. I can text you a picture of that on the G23 in my shop. Good luck.....and MJMSupra...hahah...33 years in this town and I am over the winter and 400" of snow! I leave and go south for the winter.....fishing and sand between my toes is what I want in the winter, however Spring, Summer and Fall in the mountains couldn't be better.

[rockymtnsurfer]

If anyone messages me, I will share the videos and picture comparisons between Nautique and Max. Anyone can post them if they would like. I think they will give a better visual of the difference. Visual is better as my explantions #$%@

[MJHSupra]

MJHSupra...hahah...33 years in this town and I am over the winter and 400" of snow! I leave and go south for the winter.....fishing and sand between my toes is what I want in the winter, however Spring, Summer and Fall in the mountains couldn't be better.

I wrote that after looking at Insta and noticed another 12” of snow the night before.

Someone made the comment about the lack of people showing up for work that day.


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[rockymtnsurfer]

I wrote that after looking at Insta and noticed another 12” of snow the night before.

Someone made the comment about the lack of people showing up for work that day.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Low winter with 254" right now, but enough to keep me away.