SS16 Side Cushion Attachment Methods?

[renns]

My SS16 clone had mostly decomposed side cushions around the gunnel sides and front of consoles. What are the recommended methods of mounting these? I can' say for certain, but I think the previous owner's method of using mild steel machine screws and kitchen cabinet knobs is not the best option! Access behind is very tight along sides due to floatation foam. Access through console fronts is no problem.
I've found these at our local Canadian supplier, but they don't list a mating part.

 

[classiccat]

Many Supersports use carriage bolts sunk into the backing board before the foam & vinyl are applied...then bolted on the backside of the gunnel aluminum. the holes in the aluminum are elongated to allow forward/aft movement which comes in handy to tuck the cushion under the bow trim.

 

[renns]

Many Supersports use carriage bolts sunk into the backing board before the foam & vinyl are applied...then bolted on the backside of the gunnel aluminum. the holes in the aluminum are elongated to allow forward/aft movement which comes in handy to tuck the cushion under the bow trim.

Interesting - thanks for the details. The bow area is all spray-foamed pretty solid, and the gunnels have a block of that white beaded foam in there, so there is very limited access from behind, but they may have done it that my on my hull originally as well. That might explain the sawzall scars on the side of the gunnel at one of the fastener locations - carriage bolt spinning inside the cushion. I was thinking of snaps or clips of some type.

 

[MNhunter1]

I wrapped the console fronts with Nautolex and attached them and the bow/gunnel pads with large flange rivets.

 

[renns]

Thanks for the pics. Is that a piece of wrapped plywood in front of the consoles? Is that the stock setup? Mine came with some homemade cushions mounted directly to the aluminum console - no ply panel in front.

I really like those bow gunnel pads. Are they the stock Starcraft item? Any ideas of the backing material, foam thickness, etc? I hadn't thought of through-riveting, but I've got a bunch of those big rivets left over from the deck install.

 

[MNhunter1]

Yes, 1/2 ACX plywood with a few coats of Spar Urethane and wrapped with Nautolex. I stripped down the original bow gunnel pads and salvaged the original wood (believe it was 1/4" ply), sealed them up with spar, added padding and wrapped with a marine vinyl. Don't recall the thickness of the padding I used.


Here is a picture of the original bow gunnel pads. Note, the casting deck was not original, so the pads likely could have been an added modification when that was installed, but I do believe the pads to be original to the '78 16SS model.

 

[renns]

Thanks so much for all those detailed pics. That's awesome! I'll need to scounge up a few strips of 1/4" ply or equivlant for backers, and build something similar for along the gunnels.

 

[MNhunter1]

Thanks so much for all those detailed pics. That's awesome! I'll need to scounge up a few strips of 1/4" ply or equivlant for backers, and build something similar for along the gunnels.

Of note, I was going to replace with new wood, but salvaged the originals as they were in good enough condition and already had the bend to them. You may need to soak them to get some curve to them, or you could also use something like pvc board as your backer that would bend around the curve.

 

[renns]

@MNhunter1 Thanks again for the ideas. I followed through with a similar setup on my ship as well. More pics in the thread in my signature below.

 

[MNhunter1]

@MNhunter1 Thanks again for the ideas. I followed through with a similar setup on my ship as well. More pics in the thread in my signature below.

View attachment 358359View attachment 358358

Looks great!!

 

[Scott Danforth]

My SS16 clone had mostly decomposed side cushions around the gunnel sides and front of consoles. What are the recommended methods of mounting these? I can' say for certain, but I think the previous owner's method of using mild steel machine screws and kitchen cabinet knobs is not the best option! Access behind is very tight along sides due to floatation foam. Access through console fronts is no problem.
I've found these at our local Canadian supplier, but they don't list a mating part.
View attachment 358052

there is no mating part. these are screwed to the coaming and the 1/4" PVC substrate has a 1-1/4 x 2" slot in it for the Z-clip to slide into.




and the two retaining screws are then inserted into the vent grommets and thru the substrate to the fiberglass to secure the coaming bolster

 

[renns]

there is no mating part. these are screwed to the coaming and the 1/4" PVC substrate has a 1-1/4 x 2" slot in it for the Z-clip to slide into.

Ah, that explains things. I wasn't aware of that fastening technique. Thanks!