HELP! Front seat pedestal

[DrCFishing]

I finally got my rear pedestal out and decided to start on the front. I cannot find any access to the front pedestal area? Anyone know how to get to that front pedestal base so it can be changed out? I tried to go through the center compartment as it already had a small square cut in the front but ran into just a bunch of foam. HELP!!! doesnot look like any access from the side lockers either.

Can't reach it from the front panel area either??? There has to be a way to change that out don't you think???

[bigfish1259]

Those phillip screws are holding it in

[Steve 187]

Cutting hole for a recessed TM tray would create you some access.

[DrCFishing]

I was actually considering that one. Good thought. Might have to go that route if there truly is no way to get in there to hold the nuts to keep them from turning.

[DrCFishing]

That is correct. But how do you get to the nuts on the underside is the problem? If you start turning the screws the nuts on the backside start turning and you can't get them out.

[jerzia]

I told you to ask! I had to cut two holes in the front compartment and dig out a ton of foam to get to them. A recessed tray won't get you there. I used a 4 1/4" hole saw, and used 2 of these to cover the holes. http://www.ebay.com/itm/INNOVA...c9cbe
It was a bear to do, but the end result looks awesome. You have to work on one nut at a time. I dug out the foam, got a wrench in there and loosened the screw just enough to raise it 1/4" or so. I used a Dremel tool with a cut off wheel to cut the screw head off, and put the remaining part through the hole. Then move forward to the next screw. Like I said, it was a bear. Take your time, and it will work out. Feel free to ask any questions.
A tip: do not try to cut a single hole in the middle. You won't be able to get your hand in enough to work, and there is a drain tube right in the middle.

[ssbassman]

Drill the screws out just make sure you use a good bit.

[DrCFishing]

I tried to do that but the screws grab the bit and turn, need to get to the nuts on the back. Would need to get there to put the new ones on anyway. I guess it is the recessed trolling motor tray option which is a little scary cutting a big hole in your boat ?

[ChampRunner204]

I just cut the center out with a whole saw and placed a new plate on top and screwed it in to the plate on boat
http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=644856

[jerzia]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by austinbassin &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I tried to do that but the screws grab the bit and turn, need to get to the nuts on the back. Would need to get there to put the new ones on anyway. I guess it is the recessed trolling motor tray option which is a little scary cutting a big hole in your boat ?</td></tr></table>
I have a recessed tray in mine, and it won't get you close enough to the plate without removing TONS of foam. Another option that might work, is to drill out the screws as suggested, and use Snap Toggle fasteners. http://www.fastenmscstore.com/togglebolt.html

Look at your picture, you don't have the center drain tube, but two on the sides. You might consider a 6" deck plate in the center. That should be large enough to het your hand in and dig out the foam. http://www.ebay.com/itm/INNOVA...c9cad

[DrCFishing]

I was able todig out enough foam to get to the screws. Lots of clawing but got it out. Awaiting new ones from C&O which should arrive today. Working on carpet now. pictures to come

[jerzia]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by austinbassin &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I was able todig out enough foam to get to the screws. Lots of clawing but got it out. Awaiting new ones from C&O which should arrive today. Working on carpet now. pictures to come</td></tr></table>
I'll bet that was fun!
When I did that, I got a cut and a small sliver of fiberglass in my thumb just above the joint. At the time I thought I got it all out. Well fast forward two months, and I have an inclusion cyst the size of a jellybean where some of the sliver must still reside. I have an appointment with a hand surgeon today to have it looked at. In the end it was totally worth it. The pedestals that used to drive my crazy, now slide in and out like breeze

[DrCFishing]

I hear ya. My hands were rubbed raw from the roughness of the foam. ?They had bloody scabs on them for a couple of days LOL. Hope your dr visit went ok. It is a labor of love......

[DrCFishing]

Well, change of heart. I have been talking with Carol at C&O and ordered carpet from her. She has the original carpet that is in the boat, she called it salt and pepper. Since I am not changing it all it will match the areas I am not changing. Here are a couple of pictures of the new seat pedestal bases installed and carpet almost gone except a couple of lids to go. Man whoever glued that carpet on the lids did a great job. Tough to get off. I used goof off in a spray bottle and that got the carpet off but lots of glue left. I guess I will uswe a beltl sander on the flat areas and a smaller sander for the sides of the lids.

This pictures shows the front base installed. If you notice the blue tape I put that by each rivet hole with a sharpie mark showing the location. I plan on doing that will all the lid hinge holes. Carpet should be here by Friday I hope. swtarting to get cold here in TX and want to get this in.




This picture shows the rear area with a bucket covering the pedestal in case it rains. Don't want the bondo stuff to get wet in case it rains. It is the boat/wet type but want it to setup good before it gets wet.



Moving right along. I got some Roberts 6700 carpet adhesive is that the right stuff? I plan on using contact on the lids.

[The Parts Mom / Carol]

For anyone wanting to match carpet; the original carpet in his boat was 16 ounce. We went to a 20 ounce carpet and matched the sample for color.

[DrCFishing]

Hey Mom,

I got the carpet today!!! I did a couple of lids to test my skill level. I have already cut one wrong as I had the lid turned the wrong way. I guess better to find out now than once it was glued down. Glad I ordered some extra for errors. That is why I started on the small lids. Going to do a floor section tomorrow and see how that goes. I know oneof the floor areas will yield a piece that I can use for that lid I messed up.








Miller Time with the poker buds

[Lea]

Good job!!!! You're gonna have a beauty when done!!!

[The Parts Mom / Carol]

Just keep remembering.....
"It's a labor of love!"

[foxman623]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by The Parts Mom &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">For anyone wanting to match carpet; the original carpet in his boat was 16 ounce. We went to a 20 ounce carpet and matched the sample for color.

</td></tr></table>

Yea when I took my old off I took it to a carpet place and mine from 1986 was 16 oz and I went with 18 on mine.

[bassin butch]

I used this glue in the past:

http://pontoonspecialists.com/....aspx


Goes on thick, easy to work with , dries slowly and your tools clean up with soap and water as do your hands. I used a vinyl floor adhesive trowel to lay it down.


Modified by bassin butch at 1:52 PM 11/12/2011