Question about 17 Skimaster

[DMCI]

This is the view looking forward on my 17 1960 Skimaster.

Note that the former owner put some lumber under the forward seat in an apparent attempt to reinforce it.

Question: Is this seat a structural member and does it need to be replaced or modified?

I will know more when I tear all the old stuff of the boat. It is really tacky in my view!!

[Helmar]

I have a 59 skimaster and the front seating area is all fiberglass and would hold 400 plus pounds in rough water..
That one almost looks like wood?

Found another picture showing the floor gone on another 59 Skimaster..

[DMCI]

The Skagit literature shows the utility with a flat transom. This one as shown therefore is not a skimaster, but probably an updated utility with the storage boxes missing.

However, my question remains about the forward seat.

I purchased this boat from the original owners estate. He purchased the boat new and used it very little in the last 25 years. He purchased this Evinrude new about that time and so you see it with the original propellor.

He did have a tendency to bolt his various inventions to it and now I have to remove them and fill all the holes. Red color was painted over by him and is flaking off. I have decided to not do anything about that for now.