www.iFourWinns.com

I have a 1999 H170 with the rear bench (and two captains chairs forward). An awesome arrangement, we really like it.

I've had to get the bench out a couple of times, to get to the fuel tank (bad sender) and some engine work (new belts). The bench seems like it "ought" to come out easily. It's a royal PITA! I've had to work screwdrivers sideways through poor access holes to remove multiple screws. I've tried wiggling the seat left/right, twisting it, etc, and it won't come out without disassembly.

is this normal? Is there a secret? Has anyone modded it (some sort of twist toggle, or move mounting screws, or open a slot in the base, or.....).

Thanks!

Sorry I'm of no help since we have a 1999 H180 w/ an outboard.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc-uI4TfT0WvL6m4nqSSty7FHqvn7xZkirwMgrs9iwQsn6JzhLw00bhSOOz-62-Y_naNg9F1Jgk4w3jVsZlr-HeIEt72_-QLvm-C9NXC2yEyUDX0O2A=w2400

I would think you could do whatever to it that you think will make it easier to come apart. But I hope you get something figured.

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1999 180 Horizon OB Fisherman Pkg
2013 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 5.7 Hemi
San Antonio, TX

My 1988 H-200 used to have that heavy wood framed bench seat that by the time I got it (2002) was falling apart. What I did was got rid of that old seat & cut the wood bulkhead that goes across the boat in half then put hinges on it so it can open like a door. All the wood panels come out with machine screws and wing nuts. For the seat I replaced that heavy seat with 2 36” wide pontoon boat seats that fit up against the rear bulkhead and shelf panels. Much easier than it was originally set up. Did that about 15 years ago. I can remove just one side or both as needed.
I’ll post a couple of pix from my desktop later…

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9pz3pzuz8kuvm ... s.jpg?dl=0
ok hope you can open this, here's what I did with the wood dividers....


https://www.dropbox.com/s/ao7q5x2adv5z0 ... p.JPG?dl=0
how it looks with the WISE 36" pontoon seats....

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ad9a4yaqobs7d ... s.JPG?dl=0
this gives you a better idea of what I did. So I can lift out the top cushion, then the bottom cushion/seat mount, then open that wood divider like a door. this works for winterizing and getting at the oil filter. If I had to do more major work like a starter or the steering actuator, the whole thing has to come out.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

We are very different designs. The bench that I am talking about is very comfortable and doesn't normally block any access. It is fully in front of the engine compartment, so when you want to get on your hands and knees and work on the front motor mount for instance, that's where it becomes a problem.

Hopefully this is a shareable link

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kabbFbRMggvZzZ3R6