Mounting Pedestal Seat

Greyduk · #1 05-15-2016, 02:06 PM

I have a 1987 V-20 cuddy. I am thinking that I would like to mount a helm seat opposite the one that is already there for the driver. The problem is, I want to be able to put a backing plate under the deck and bolt thru. I would either have to put a deck plate beside the pedestal in the floor (which I don't want to do), or go in through the side of the fish box which is in the floor.

Has anyone put a deck plate or cut a hole in the side of the fish box? If so is there anything that would prevent access to the through bolts for the seat if I go at it that way?

I would appreciate any thoughts on solving this. Thanks for any input.

bradford · #2 05-15-2016, 03:10 PM

The port side stringer is next to the fish box. Don't want to cut that.

Greyduk · #3 05-15-2016, 03:22 PM

Thanks for your reply. No I sure wouldn't want to get into that. But if I cut through the fiberglass wall of the fish box do you think I could reach above the stringer to put the backing plate and nuts on the screws?

SkunkBoat · #4 05-15-2016, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greyduk

Thanks for your reply. No I sure wouldn't want to get into that. But if I cut through the fiberglass wall of the fish box do you think I could reach above the stringer to put the backing plate and nuts on the screws?

NO. Not possible.

For a new seat...Cut an access hole in the center of where the pedestal will be. thru the hole, glue some backing strips under where the pedestal base holes will be. Then the pedestal covers the hole.

Actually the original pedestals had threaded insert underneath... they cut the hole as I said before then drilled the hole pattern and held the inserts thru the hole, tightened bolts to pull inserts into bottom of deck then removed bolts and mount the base. I hope you can follow that ramble...

Or mount a 100 qt cooler there with a cushion....

Greyduk · #5 05-15-2016, 03:53 PM

Skunkboat, thanks for the thought. That might be something I could work with. I also thought that I could mount two seats on that side and use a deck plate between them. Then cover it with a small tackle locker that would fit between the two pedestals. Thanks.

SkunkBoat · #6 05-15-2016, 04:01 PM

like this but stainless or brass.

The access is cut in the center of the pedestal footprint.

phatdaddy · #7 05-15-2016, 03:26 PM

greyduk, i went through the same thing when i redid my deck. this was my solution. was able to get large fender washers and nylock nuts on bolts. you can see i messed up on the drivers side, but nothing a little work with the dremel couldn't handle

Greyduk · #8 05-15-2016, 03:39 PM

Hey Phatdaddy, how are you. I responded to your post about the Spanish Mackerel and how good they are with cheese grits. At that point I was just a spectator but look what I have gotten myself in to now.

Thanks for your input. I only have to worry about the passenger side of my boat. The driver side is through bolted already. I bought one of the back to back seats but it is so cheap and small that I am thinking of the pedestal seats now. I have two pretty decent helm chairs with sliders that I can use if I get comfortable with the installation.