Hey guys, I decided this spring's project will be swapping out the old back to back folding seats with some pedestal seats to free up some space and make the fish 'n ski more of a fish 'n fish...
Where I'm stuck is the pedestal/base/hardware. I see a lot of choices and am not sure what I need as far as tube size, mount, etc. I want the base to be flush or semi flush as I plan to have more bases than I have seats and I want a hydraulic or adjustable post.
If it matters, the boat is a 17' fiberglass runabout. Thanks
Mounting pedestal bases to a deck that was not designed for them can lead to problems. You can do some things to alleviate these issues. One is to glass some 3/4" pads to the deck to spread the load and cut down on the torque these types of seats create. This also allow you to install Stainless t-nuts which will allow you to easily mount the pedestals without having to screw into the deck. You will have to attempt to cut the carpet(if you have it) and peel it back to allow the pads to be glassed into the existing deck. You don't have to do it this way, it's just my recommendation. Bases with adjustable hydraulics can run from $150 to $250 per pedestal and they are available right here on iBoats. Springfield makes some nice ones.
Ignoring Woods post for a minute, how do you plan to mount the bases? Just screwing them to the deck won't hold for long and someone is liable to get hurt when the screws fail... plus penetrating your glassed in deck will let water/moisture intrude into your deck wood causing rot.
I consider overkill a job well done... plus a little extra.
There's as many ways to do something as there is people to tell you how to do it... but not all of them are the right way.
The drinking and debauchery will continue until morale improves... and maybe for a little while after.
Ignoring Woods post for a minute, how do you plan to mount the bases? Just screwing them to the deck won't hold for long and someone is liable to get hurt when the screws fail... plus penetrating your glassed in deck will let water/moisture intrude into your deck wood causing rot.
Well, that's part of the question as well...I'm open to suggestions. I may have access to under the seat mounting area by way of the ski locker but I'm not certain. I need to get the cover off and look.
i glassed a 3/4 ply pad to the deck sanded the high spots drilled screwholes filled them with resin spread a puddle around where the base was going let it get slightly gelly set the base and run in the screws. IMG_20120317_194015.jpgIMG_20120317_194015.jpg