My front seat receiver by the trolling motor is loose. That is a poor description I know. Its the thing I plugmy butt seet in that is in the floor. It is only on the front edge. I have never seen what is under the carpet in my boat. It appears to be about a 12" circle with a hole for the post on butt seat. I feel sure this is from thousands of hook sets and rough water leaning.
Now if you are not fully confused.
How do I repair this?
Thanks,
Chuck
1989 Ranger 395 V I/O 20'
1998 Mercruiser 350 MPI Mag thru hull exhaust delete (factory install)
Outdrive: Bravo 3 running 30 pitch Merc factory prop set.
Ultrex, Lowrance and Tallons
Full deck conversion
Sounds like you might need a replacement bushing for your pedestal hole .
1990 374V Ranger Still kickin' bass after all these years
That is possible, but from what I can tell there is a round plate about 12" around, lifting about 1/4" on the forward end of the plate.
I have no idea how the plate is attached.
Would the bushing be what attaches it, or would the bushing be what takes cale of the slop from the pole hole?
I am truly clueless.
1989 Ranger 395 V I/O 20'
1998 Mercruiser 350 MPI Mag thru hull exhaust delete (factory install)
Outdrive: Bravo 3 running 30 pitch Merc factory prop set.
Ultrex, Lowrance and Tallons
Full deck conversion
The bushing would be what takes care of the slop from the pole hole, as you say. The round plate is the pedestal base, and it is screwed/bolted to the deck. If it lifts on the forward end, the attachment of the plate to the deck is probably failing: fasteners stripped, or pulling through the deck, or the holes enlarged, or even the deck itself giving way. You’d need to get underneath the deck to determine the issue and to fix what’s going on, if that’s the case. You might be able to troubleshoot the problem from the top side by pulling up the carpet, but it sounds like you’re already seeing significant movement in the pedestal plate. Replacing the pedestal bushing would be much easier, but that pedestal base plate should not have travel in it.
John Clark — Findlay, Ohio
Oh Boy.....Now I am wondering how I am going to get under the deck.
1989 Ranger 395 V I/O 20'
1998 Mercruiser 350 MPI Mag thru hull exhaust delete (factory install)
Outdrive: Bravo 3 running 30 pitch Merc factory prop set.
Ultrex, Lowrance and Tallons
Full deck conversion
You should be able to see the underside where the bolts are from the front compartment, and see if the deck itself is the problem or the bolts or screws . If not you might have to split the carpet and look underneath of it to get visual.
Could just be loose fasteners. But also rotted deck where they attach.
Either way will need to at least peel back the carpet to get at the bolts for proper tightening, or go deeper for decking repair.
Mike
2019 Ranger 520L w/ 250HO ETEC G2
2011 Tracker 175TXW w/ 75HO ETEC
Thanks guys,
Always garage kept, I dont suspect a weak or rotted deck. I suspect a backed out bolt or broken bolt.
Carpet is 90% and deck access will be a challange...
So yall believe these are bolts and not screws.
1989 Ranger 395 V I/O 20'
1998 Mercruiser 350 MPI Mag thru hull exhaust delete (factory install)
Outdrive: Bravo 3 running 30 pitch Merc factory prop set.
Ultrex, Lowrance and Tallons
Full deck conversion
Solved:
Fastners under the deck were rusted as well as the fender washers gone, rusted off.
Deck is solid, I cut an x in carpet above each screw and replaced with $40 worth os SS hardware.
Accessed bolts under deck through forward livewell.
1989 Ranger 395 V I/O 20'
1998 Mercruiser 350 MPI Mag thru hull exhaust delete (factory install)
Outdrive: Bravo 3 running 30 pitch Merc factory prop set.
Ultrex, Lowrance and Tallons
Full deck conversion
That’s good to hear. Best case scenario.
John Clark — Findlay, Ohio
Reply With Quote