removing pedestal seats?

[brucek1]

I have a 97 seapro 170cc center console with 2 pedestal seats mounted behind the console. I want to remove them and install a flip-flop bench. When I tried to remove the phillip head screws from to pedestal base they turn but will not come out. There is no access panel to get under the pedestal to see why they will not come out. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

[oops!]

hi....welcome to i boats....

there must be some kind of nut on the other end....or they are just rusted so much that the threads are toast.

you will have to grind the heads off. then take the pedistal off and use vice grips to take out the screws.....if you cant get them out....then tiy will have to grind them off too.

cheers
oops

[allpoints360]

Are all the screws acting the same way?

Try using some pliers to grab the head of the screw and pull up as you turn. It may just be that some moisture has gotten into the screw holes and the material around the screw has rotted. Which would mean there is nothing for the screw to grab to unscrew.

Good luck.

[jonesg]

Drill the heads off and punch them thru to the inside, seal the holes.

You can pretty much bet the ply backing plates are rotted.
I went through all that and re-did the backing plates but decided not to use them. Its a very poorly engineered idea, all that force concentrated on a such a small foot. Destined to go south in short time.

Look at the pic below, I mounted the seat bases to 1 inch ply plate which is bolted to the tank hatch, seat bases are installed with blid nuts.

I also have a leaning post that fits the same pedestal bases.

[brucek1]

Thanks for input! Do you think they also used 5200 on the bottom of pedestal and if so is there a way to get it up with out cracking the floor? Would it be a wise idea to cut a hole and put in an access panel between the pedestal seats? The gas tank is under the center consule.

[Marcq]

Would it be a wise idea to cut a hole and put in an access panel between the pedestal seats? The gas tank is under the center consule.

That's what I would do, just be careful

Marc..

[allpoints360]

Would it be a wise idea to cut a hole and put in an access panel between the pedestal seats?

For what purpose? With deference, I would not bother with this unless you just want another hole in your deck.

Good luck.

[78ImperialT]

i have a flathead screwdriver that i ground flat just for that purpose. slide it under the screw head and pry out while unscrewing the screw.

as far as the 5200 goes...if you can pry the base from the deck far enough to slip a hack saw blade only into...that should work for you.