Center Bow Cushion

[dslkd]

My 22V does not have the center bow cushion, and i was considering getting one. I was wondering if it was a useful addition or just a hassel. If anyone has ordered one seperatly from the boat about how much was it.

Thanks in advance,
Ben

[shane]

I have one in my 22v and could not imagine not having it. In my opinion it is a very useful addition.

[Paublo]

I don't know about the cost, mine was just part of all the options that came with the boat. Since I do most of the driving, I don't really spend any time in the bow, but my wife and kids really like it. They like having the big flat area to lay down, sun themselves, etc. I take it out once a year when we go to Lake Powell. Then I put on the bow cover and fill the area with sleeping bags, duffels, etc. If it isn't priced too high, get it.

[Matt Garcia]

Its about a $200 option.

[Tim]

My 22v originally did not come with the center bow cushion. Everybody I talked to said it was a must have item, so I order one. It was just a little under $200.00. Now that its there I can't imagine not having it. My kids and wife spend alot of time riding in the front and find it very comfortable.

[hotrod]

I would like to know why the center bow cushion is not available in the 22i?

[scootc]

Anyone build one of these for an "older" boat? I'd like to have one for my '01 23V.

[dslkd]

Well, it souds like I'm going to have to get one before lake season starts.
Thanks again for all the input.
Ben

[Tige M.D.]

i have a few customers with the bow filler in a 23v. call tige, they should have a pattern. give them the measurements just in case.

[RZMike]

Originally posted by Tige M.D.
i have a few customers with the bow filler in a 23v. call tige, they should have a pattern. give them the measurements just in case.

That's interesting. I assumed one wasn't available for the 23V since it doesn't appear the bow is setup for one (i.e. there's nothing for the cushion to set on or be supported by). Maybe I'm not clear on how they fit, or maybe there's some sort of additional brackets that have to be installed?

[Tige M.D.]

u6261. is the hull number of the 23v we delivered with the bow filler from tige. check with tige and compare you hull# to this one.

[butlerp]

Anyone know if this is available for the 21i?

[Tige M.D.]

for what 21i? they started that model # 1996.

[Tige M.D.]

if the 21i is a current model then, yes. of the 05' line up only the 22i and the switch series do not have them.

[RZMike]

I called my dealer today and they're supposed to be checking to see if one's available for a 01 23V. I'll post when I find out.

[joe8395]

How about a 2000 21i?

[Tige M.D.]

sorry joe, there never was one for your model.

[joe8395]

Dang!

[RZMike]

Well, I've got a bow filler cushsion for my 01 23V. I contacted my dealer to inquire about one and he said he'd check. He called me back later that afternoon and said Tige was researching it and that if one was available it was $280. I told him when Tige called back, if it was available, to go ahead and order me one.

Two weeks later my dealer calls me to say that my bow filler cushion was in, but it may not be what I expected. Turns out a bow filler cushion wasn't an option for my 01 23V. So, I guess Tige' decided to build me a custom one. Here's some pics.

http://home.comcast.net/~rzmike/pictures/BowFiller1_a.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~rzmike/pictures/BowFiller2_a.jpg


It's not your traditional bow filler cushsion, but it works. The reason I wanted one was to hide the fat sac I put in the walkway. I can still do that with this custom cushsion so I'm happy.

I must admit I'm pretty darn impressed with Tige's willingness to go the extra mile and build this for me. They could have simply said "sorry, it's not an option for your boat".

[scootc]

That actually looks pretty good. Is there storage underneath - like does the cushion hinge? Send a picture of it in the boat when you have a chance.
scott

[RZMike]

The cushion doesn't hinge - yet :cool: I working on that. Got a buddy at work who good with wood. He's going to look at it. It is hollow under the cushion, so it's possible.

May be awhile before I can get picks of it in the boat. Boats still wrapped up for winter. I usually don't get it out until the majority of the spring pollen has fallen. I may make a exception this year though :)

[Matt Garcia]

Mike, what size sac do you put under there?

[RZMike]

Originally posted by Matt Garcia
Mike, what size sac do you put under there?

Good question Matt. I forgot to mention I'll have to get a different sac. The one I have is a 600lb.'er. It won't fit under the 'box', but it was too wide for the walkway anyway. Plus, I don't need 600lb. in the front so I never filled it up all the way. I'm looking at getting one that will fit. May have to have a custom one made. I haven't researched my options yet.

[joe8395]

Hey Matt -

How do I can one of these for my 2000 21i?

[joe8395]

Let's try that again.

Hey Matt -

How can I get one of these for my 2000 21i?

[Matt Garcia]

Originally posted by joe8395
Let's try that again.

Hey Matt -

How can I get one of these for my 2000 21i?

Joe, I would do what Mike did, call your dealer and have them find out for you. They might make one for you as well.

[RZMike]

Originally posted by Matt Garcia
Joe, I would do what Mike did, call your dealer and have them find out for you. They might make one for you as well.

Yep, Joe, that's what you need to do.

I got lucky. My local dealer used to be quite flustrating to deal with. They're primarly a Cobalt dealer and for the past couple of years it seemed like I never could find someone to talk to who knew about Tige's. I used to have to call Tige' and get the infomation I needed then call the dealer back and tell them. Now my dealer has got a guy who is very knowledgeable and helpful.

The point of my little story is call the dealer first. If they can't or won't help you, then call Tige'.

[forjar]

RZMike,

Is that box just made out of wood? If so, I am wondering how it will hold up with all the water around.

John

[RZMike]

It's wood, but I don't know what kind. I'm not a wood working person. I know what plywood looks like and that's about it. I know it's not plywood.

I wouldn't think Tige' would make the box out of just any old wood. It's a good question though.

[forjar]

I am wondering what the cost might be to get a fiberglass shop to fiberglass thewood box. It would also make is easier to match the boat color.

[RZMike]

I don't know about the fiberglass. The box is carpeted now and the carpet color matches the boat carpet, so I'm not worried about that. I am going to have to investigate the type wood it's made of though.

[Ruune]

Its probably coated in epoxy, then carpeted. Now what would be cool is to integrate a ballast into that thing! Hmm.. theres an idea!

[RZMike]

Your saying basically make the box a ballast tank instead of putting a bag under it?

That is a great idea, but I have no idea what it would take to accomplish it.

[forjar]

Ruune,

I like that idea. That would be pretty cool to be able to build a cushion like that and use it as a ballast.

The thing that would need to be done is the actual box would have to be built out of some type of fiberglass that we could seal and keep it from leaking.

Maybe you could find a water box that could fit in side of the cushion box.

[Ruune]

put a bladder/sac inside it!

[forjar]

That would work.

[knelems]

I put a StraightLine ballast bag in the bow of my 22i Demo last summer since Tige doesn't offer a bow cushion on the 22i. It is the one with the headrest on top.

[forjar]

knelems,

Do you have any pictures?

[knelems]

You can get on their website and see a photo www.slsports.com
It is the #8105 - 540 Lb lounge. I would have to look at my photo discs from the summer for a photo in the boat. I sold it to a customer with a 22i.
Karen

[Ruune]

I'm thinking of something that flows into the observer seat- similar to how the 20v's seat is extended into the walkway area. You could even put waterbed tubes in, or have a custom bladder made. If it was made out of aluminum, it'd be heavier to start with... sort of a semi-permanent addition. It could also double as a ski/wakeboard locker if it were that long.

[forjar]

My only problem with it flowing into the observer seat would be that you would have to find another way to access the compartment under the dash.

[Ruune]

ahh... I dont have that cutout and hatch on mine... I access it through the front seat.

[forjar]

So what I am thinking about now is building 2 pieces and 2 cushions. One cushion would come to the small locker and the second one would fill in the empty space next to the locker and come out to the observer seat. So if I need to get into the locker I could remove the small cushion and open the locker.

As for the water proofing I was thinking that if you make the box out of wood you could then get it Rhino Lined, which would water proof it and give it a rubber coating to help keep it in place along with protecting the boats finish.

What do you guys think?

John

I will have to document the process as I make it. Hopefully I could get it to work and be able to provide it for everyone who wants one.