Fiberglass flip flop helm seat for CConsole

[tmillerzzz]

I have a 2003 Nitro Bay 1800 Center Console. It has a 16 Gallon tank in the console and a flip flop cooler helm seat.

I have my trolling motor batteries and anchor in the bow locker. With this weight in the bow locker and fuel tank in the console it feels a bit bow heavy.

I am considering installing a fiberglass stoarge seat of some sort inplace of the cooler flip flop seat and putting the gas tank there and then moving the trolling motor batteries into the console. Thus shifting all my weight back 6 feet or so.

Does anyone know where to purchase premanufactured fiberglass flip flop helm seats to replace the flip flop cooler seat?

It would basically be a fiberglass box with a hinged/padded lid..

Any help appreciated.

[Mark Cahill]

I'd suggest running your tank dry, then running the boat of a couple of six gallon portables (you can probably find a buddy to borrow them from). Then add a jerry can or two of water to simulate the weight.

Small boats are notoriously finiky about where the weight goes...

I'd experiment before moving things.

[tmillerzzz]

Good idea,

Yank batteries out of bow (106 Lbs)

Fill gas tank to simulate batteries in console (16 Gal x 5.74lbs/gal=92 Lbs) Throw 15 lbs tool box in console

Fill cooler seat w/ 11 Gallons of water to simulate gas tank.
(11 Gal X 8.3Lbs/Gal=91)

and see how she runs.