Wanted: Cockpit filler board (or template) for Searay 330 (2008)

Hello,

We purchased a 2008 Searay 330 (This model year was the same as the 2010yr 350) last year and the seller provided us the Cushion that fills in the cockpit U-shaped seating. They failed to provide, however, the cockpit filler board that would span the U-shaped seating area and support the cushion. Many people leave the cushion and/or filler board at home and never use them. We would like to use ours and it is a challenging shaped board to template for a local shop to fabricate. Below is an example of the cushion just "wedged" in place with no support and a photo of a cardboard template that is going to take too many drafts to get done "right".

If you would like to sell your cockpit filler board, or would be willing to mail a template traced from your filler board we are an interested buyer for either.

Thank you,
Matt

Actually, you're almost there. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the primary support for the cushion on your model is from the cockpit table being used with the "short" leg, right? Hopefully someone can help you out, but if not, it's totally doable. I've done these before and it's easier than you think once you get going. When you have your cardboard template sorted out, transfer that to 1/2" foamboard insulation (you can buy it at HD - it's super cheap). This will give you a stiff template, just like wood but super easy to trim, and you can make your final adjustments. Finally, cut the template into two or three pieces and transfer that to your material of choice for the final product - plywood, expanded PVC, starboard, etc - expanded PVC would be the ideal choice, in my opinion.

I bet the cockpit table is to be used as the “filler board.”

Bennett

bbwhitejr said:

I bet the cockpit table is to be used as the “filler board.”

Bennett

Click to expand...

I think, on his model, Bennett, the cockpit table 'supports' the filler board. But maybe he can verify.

Lazy Daze said:

Actually, you're almost there. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the primary support for the cushion on your model is from the cockpit table being used with the "short" leg, right? Hopefully someone can help you out, but if not, it's totally doable. I've done these before and it's easier than you think once you get going. When you have your cardboard template sorted out, transfer that to 1/2" foamboard insulation (you can buy it at HD - it's super cheap). This will give you a stiff template, just like wood but super easy to trim, and you can make your final adjustments. Finally, cut the template into two or three pieces and transfer that to your material of choice for the final product - plywood, expanded PVC, starboard, etc - expanded PVC would be the ideal choice, in my opinion.

Click to expand...

Thank you Lazy Daze, the cardboard was extremely frustrating so the foamboard insulation tip is a good one that would probably cut down on the drafts, it is a very awkward shape to try and template due to both its height off the cockpit floor being so low, it needs to be traced from below and there is a lip that the filler board needs to seat into. I do have the "short leg" and utilized the Teak table to support the cardboard when creating template draft #1. Pushing on the table alone i do not trust it to support 1-2 adults getting in and out or kids climbing around on it without eventually compromising the table. There appears to be specific cut-outs where the cushions rest where the cockpit filler board would be supported both by the lip itself and the short table leg.

All this said, because i never received the filler board i just know it exists from seeing a much smaller one on a 310DA and a terrible sketch in the searay parts catalog. Of course according to my local searay dealer they no longer carry this specific part. I am sure they all were stored in people's garages and made their way to the dump at some point over the last decade ("what is this?").

Just use a standard utility blade/knife to trim the insulation board?

Matthew Hinrichs said:

Just use a standard utility blade/knife to trim the insulation board? View attachment 66503

Click to expand...

Yes, you can pretty much use anything you want to cut and trim it. A sanding block is easy for final touches, as well.

If you need to start over with the cardboard... 'Paint' those chocks/ledges with lipstick and then press the cardboard down onto it. Then you can give it a more accurate cut and then fine tune.

The 2008 330 did come with a filler board. If I still owned the boat, I’d give it to you.

ziekman@cox.net said:

The 2008 330 did come with a filler board. If I still owned the boat, I’d give it to you.

Click to expand...

Thank you Ziekman: I am getting closer to having the right foam template to transfer to a wood prototype to ensure proper fit. Once the fit is confirmed i will transfer that to an expanded PVC marine material for the final product. Question: Can you speak to what the filler board more or less looked like in terms of design/function? I believe it was spliced into 3 individual pieces with the outside edges being supported by the lip of the seats under the cushion and the center piece being suspended by the short table leg (?) Are they attached with nylon or hinged to fold and stow or how do they all support each other?

Also ... i just found this vague diagram from the 2008 330 parts catalog. If anyone has seen one of these filler boards (part 32) in person and could provide advice on how it interacts with the short table leg or seat edges that would be great!

I don't have your boat, but this is typically how this setup would work...

Use the short table leg to support the table. Place the boards on top of the table. That's it.

The shape of the ledges (reverse hour glass shape) keeps the boards in place. If the board wants to wander out, add a strap/snap to the board and a snap to the underside of the table. Don't think too much about this - keep it simple.

Matthew, what Lazy Daze said is right on the money. Part 32 is exactly what I had, and it is extremely simple. You place the short stand in, and drop the 3 pieces in place. They fit right on the ledge, drop the filler cushion in, and stretch out for a nice nap.

I have same boat and h ere is mine. Some sort of plastic material, but not sure what. It's relatively lightweight and hinged to allow to fit in under the rear most seat. I never use it as there really is not space for the cushion when not in use.