Adding pedistal seats

[Realgun]

Did I make a mistake? I was going to add 2 lounge seats to my boat but have since decided that Pedestal Seating would be better. I built the deck of 1/2 plywood and 1 layer of fiberglass. The floor is very solid however will I need to add some sort of support under the floor? I cannot get under the floor now! I want this and<br /> this and this <br /><br />What do you peoples suggest.<br />I will not be ripping up the floor no matter what! It took me 1 year to get the old flor out and a new floor back in.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

Well..........<br />There's Six(6) Holes in that Seat Base....... <br />Start with #12 Screws........ When they Strip-out,<br />Go to 1/4".........<br />Then 5/16ths".........<br />Then 3/8ths"........... When Those Strip-out,<br />Epoxy Putty the Holes Shut,<br />And,...........Start All Over................................. <br /><br />Oh ya,<br />There are Never Mistakes when Boatbuilding..... Only Detours.............

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

If you can't get under the floor why not double up on top or glass in a 2" block similar to the handrail in this pic (you'll need to zoom in).<br /><br /> web page <br /><br />1/2 inch just ain't enough.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

You'll need to drill a big enough hole in the floor for the base. Maybe you could work through that to fit in some extra backing? If you cut out a ring of 3/4 inch material or whatever to match the mounting holes of the base and then cut that in half so that you have two crescent shaped pieces they would fit through the hole in the floor. You could then bond these up and have at least a good 1 1/4 inches for your screws. You could go thicker of course. <br /><br />Toggle bolts might work also, but I don't know if you could find them in stainless. I don't like toggles personally..<br /><br />Have you carpeted yet? How about cutting out a square from the floor to do your work and then fitting it back in on cleats after the support is done?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

How about bolting the mounts to a piece of aluminum plate, maybe 1/4 or 3/8 thick by 1 foot square. Then attach the plate to the floor using some threaded inserts epoxied into the floor. Should hold and you don't have to cut your new floor. Could probably do the same with 3/4 ply. Just make the plate piece big enough to spread the stess around. I remember reading somewhere that the diameter of the plate should be equal to or larger than the height of the seat, floor to bottom.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

You really need to be able to get under the floor to install large washers and attach nuts to some bolts. You can do this by cutting a hole in the floor and installing a water tight access hatch...something like this:<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cgi?prod_id=22069&current_category=hatch&*******=882418812 <br /><br />And you definitely need some kind of reinforcement, either above or below the deck. A metal plate works (had that on my boat, above deck). I think Mark's idea of reinforcing with another layer of thick plywood and glass should work, too. Size???<br /><br />Edit: this discussion was from another topic/forum, same idea:<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=010554#000004

 

[Mark42]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

Oooh, ohhh, oooh! I just had another thought. How about cutting a fresh piece of marine ply large enough to mount both front seats on. Make the ply as large as the floor area is now and .75 or 1.5 inch thick. That can be bolted to the 1/2" floor using threaded inserts in the floor, and it will not stress the 1/2" floor. I'm picturing a new piece maybe 4'x6' with beveled edge. Cover that with carpet. Might add a little weight, but it will meet your requirements of not cutting the new floor, and it will spread the stress of pedestal seats over such a large area, it won't cause damage to the new floor. You could put large threaded inserts into the floor where the stringers are, seal it up with epoxy, and bolt the new plate directly to the stringers. <br /><br />I guarantee it will hold.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

I already installed the floor but not the carpet.<br />Is the 1/2 inch plywood floor to thin for a pedistal? Can I use this ?<br />I was told I had to drill a 4 inch hole to get the backing plate under the floor.<br />I was hoping to keep the floor flat but can add a 3/4 inch plywood under the pedistal pretty easily.<br />say 1.5'x1.5'.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

Mark gets so excited when he brain storms... <br /><br />I’m liking Mark's idea, but if you haven’t carpeted or painted the new 1/2 inch floor, you can epoxy a smaller plywood pedestal base to the existing floor. Instead of using a bunch of threaded inserts, install mounting studs from the underside of the plywood base before epoxying. Base size? ... only you would know that. You might want to figure the weight of a person in each chair leaning in the same direction at the same time...will the 1/2 inch floor hold?<br /><br />Edit: I just measured the base of the pedestal-mounted mission/operator’s chair mentioned in the link I posted above. It is boilerplate, 18-inch wide to support a person’s weight in lateral motion, and 30-inch long to support the weight in fore/aft motion. The vessel operated in the wide-open seas, almost any weather. So…I would think 18 inches square would be fine for anything except maybe hurricanes. Don’t know how your floor is constructed/supported so you need to decide if the 1/2-inch floor will support two chairs.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

The floor where the seats go is supported by the hull on 1 side and the stringer on the other, about 10-18 inches apart. Will have to measure.<br />The floor is 1/2 plywood and soaked on both sides with 2 layers of epoxy. A layer of S-glass 5.7 oz is layed over this and then another 2 layers of epoxy. 1 to settle the glass and 1 to fill the weave. S-Glass is 30% stronger than regular E-glass. I have yet to do the fill the weave part as the weather turned sour here probably not till March or April will I get a warm day.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

I have completed the bases and the T-nuts now I just need to install.<br />Click my signature link and scroll down.

 

[Rockchalk]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

Realgun... My family had this exact boat at our lake house for about ten years I guess. Same size, color (int and ex), same motor/hp. Looking at your project brings back some fun memories. One things for sure... When your done you will have one of the best build Bayliners around. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

Realgun,<br /><br />How are you going to attach those nifty new bases? From your description I take it they are going on top of the floor, and carpet going over them too?<br /><br />Mark.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

How are you going to attach those nifty new bases?

Oh I though I would use the bubble gum method!<br />Actually was going to make peanut butter and stick them to the floor!<br /><br />Really I am going to mix epoxy and milled glass fibers and then smash the bases to the floor. The floor is only 12 iches wide from boat side to the stringer. no flex at all. I can get some big rocks to babysit for 24 hours before I try to BOLT, and yes I got bolts, the base to the floor.<br />I believe I will run carpet over the base first. Thats why i beveled the 45 on them. The seat base has a fairly sharp lip that will let it get planted firmly even with carpet. I can find the T-nuts with a magnet

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

Don't get epoxy in the threads of the nuts!!

 

[Realgun]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

Don't get epoxy in the threads of the nuts!!

If I epoxied those my wife might get mad. OH! you mean threads! I think I will put the bolts in and rub some wax over the bottom of the T-Nuts only.<br />Bolt will be even with the bottom of the t-nuts.

 

[wallbanger2]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

I liked Marks idea also. However, after thinking about it for a few minutes I realized that the edge of the plywood on top of the deck would be a great place for water to sit since it couldn't get to a place to drain back aft. Gotta let that water find it's way out or it will start the rot process all over again.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

Nope ALL plywood in my boat is epoxy coated. And nothing is bolted, Screwed or stapled unless there is a way to prevent rot. On the bolts will be silicone caulking. So I can renove the Pedestals if ever needed. The 45 bevel was put on to help the carpet lay flat and also drain the underside of the seats. If they get wet it will be one heck of a storm!!!<br />I purposly left a 1/2"gap at the front of my floor. The ski cover is notched to let water to the bildge. This is where the seats are. And there in no lip like bayliner had to impede water to the rear and into the bildge. Bayliner let the water get 1/2" high before it drained to the rear. The rear floor and seats were rotted on the bottoms. <br />I was hoping to get some more work done but the seating area that Bayliner had, are hard for me to duplicate acuratly. They were extremly solid except at noted above. <br />Once the seating areas are done I can then mount the seats and will show a picture!

 

[delta247]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

I would cut a 3 inch plug out for each seat in the center of your mounting pattern. Drill your holes for through bolts. You should be abel to use two fingers (4" reach from edge of hole) to put your bolts up from the bottom. Epoxy or fiberglass the plug back and fasten seat down!

 

[Realgun]

Re: Adding pedistal seats

Delta I solved the problem already. But thankyou.<br />Look at my sgnature and go to that site you wwill see. and soon everyone will see it all.