Hole under the seat post?

[shicks007]

I pulled the helm seat post off the deck the other day and to my suprise, there is a 3 inch(or so) hole in the deck under the center. The post doesn't require a hole. I was wondering if Wellcraft might have hidden a "inspection hole" there. There was no sealant around the base at all. It wasn't pretty in there but I poked and proded with a long screwdriver and she seems very solid. Oh yeah 76' cuddy. Do any of yours have the same?

[Stinky_Hooker]

Yes mine does too and it will be covered in by the time this restoration is complete. 8)

[macojoe]

I had the same in my 75. I needed the seat bacf further so I put a deck plate on mine.

[Blue_Runner]

DITTO, my '72 had a hole under the seat post. I covered it with a stainless deckplate...it didn't look like a factory cut??

[Havis]

Ditto all that. din't look 'factory', no sealant, etc. (on a '73)

[chumbucket]

The large hole is supposed to be access for a backing plate (ideally) or through bolts. There's a company that makes Half moon shaped plates with holes that line up with seat post bases. Slip one half in. Bolt it. Then slip the other half in with the use of a finger hole to control the plate while bolting. Much stronger than just screwing to the deck. ;)

[snafu]

Yes the hole is for a deck plate backing...I had the
same on my 80

[Veeder]

So the seat post should just be able to be removed by backing out the screws that go through the circular disk into the deck? I can turn the screws, but they don't come out. My V is an '83. Did they through bolt them any year? Should I just be able to pull the base off once I unscrew it???

[Cmancil]

Ok... I have a 73 and I have the same thing. What was the final outcome as to a good repair to the floor around the hole? I have about 2 inches of rot. Not ready to tear up the whole floor. I plan on that project next year. I just want somthing for this season?

[macojoe]

Deck plate will hold you till then, they come in all sizes, I used a 4" for mine you may want to round out the hole to take a 6"?? what ever you need, They kind of go in 2" sizes, 2 4 6 8 10 ect.

[msbhammer]

What Store sells the seat base support plate. Never seen them at West Marine. That half moon sounds like a good idea.

[macojoe]

well the cover is to just fix the hole for now, not for mountig the seat, I don't even think that the 1/2 moon thing will work now that the hole is rotted bigger.

[Cmancil]

OK Cover and seal the existing hole. Can you use a 3/4 marine plyboard as a tempory deck support . Cut it to size and attach and seal to floor? Then mount seat on top?

[Franco]

I would cut the rot out now and seal the good stuff, ignoring the rot is inviting it to spread. The as a temporary fix I would use a plate of aluminum or stainless steel as an over size patch. bed it with silicone and screw it down tight to the deck. IMHO

[Blue_Runner]

Franco, that's what I did to the '72, except I had not rot around the "inspection" hole. I used a 1 foot square piece of stailess under the pedistal.

[macojoe]

well he says he is going to do the deck next season so anything strong will be good anough?

How's the rest of the floor?? If thats the only spot that is bad, then do like Franco & Blue says, heck it may last forever that way?