Captain's Chair!

DonGarganoDonGargano Member Posts: 60 ✭
in Rinker Custom Projects
Early this spring I had re-secured the Captain's chair to the floor using 2.5 inch lag bolts through the pedestal base.  Seemed to be working fine (6 outings).  Saturday this past weekend we were out and my wife suggested I try to raise the seat "a bit".  While under way, (only about 13 knots) we hit a monster wave (Cruisers can be a pain in the rear) and next thing I knew I was in the stern, kissing the engine cover!

I don't think the floor has dry rot...but I'm no expert.  So trying this temporary fix.  Might get part of or whole floor replaced at end of season....depending on this groups' thoughts and/or recommendations.   I've bolted three steel plates from the underside of the floor, and secured the pedestal to the bolts with lock washers, locking nuts, and then epoxied around the nuts.  Also used a rubber (home made) gasket under the base, and epoxied this as well.   Would appreciate feedback.  
· Share on Facebook

Comments

  • GMSLITHOGMSLITHO Member Posts: 1,619 ✭✭✭✭
    It dosent look like any dry rot .is the floor soft in spots 
    · Share on Facebook
  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,075 mod
    Good solution.  Through-bolts with backing plates definitely won't pull out.  
    · Share on Facebook
  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,960 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looks like a good permanent fix to me.
    2008 330EC
    · Share on Facebook
  • PickleRickPickleRick Member Posts: 4,388 ✭✭✭✭✭
    By epoxy you mean epoxy resin?  Epoxy glue?  I hope you used a good sealer like 4200 around the screws and where the rubber gasket meets the wood to keep water from getting to the wood. If you don't you will get rot from any water that gets in. It won't happen over night but once it starts it won't stop. That wood doesn't look like dark rotten wood. If it's not brittle/soft/squishy/pulling apart in splintered chunks then you're good.


    Id have rather used one 12x12 or so aluminum backing plate, but what you used will likely give you plenty of strength.  


    · Share on Facebook
  • DonGarganoDonGargano Member Posts: 60 ✭
    thanks gents.  Sealant was Marine Grade silicone.  
    · Share on Facebook
  • DonGarganoDonGargano Member Posts: 60 ✭
    Would have preferred to use a large aluminum or stainless steel plate underneath the wood, but couldn't figure out how to get underneath without cutting a much larger hole. 
    · Share on Facebook
  • PickleRickPickleRick Member Posts: 4,388 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I hope it wasn't the Attwood Wal-Mart above the water line silicone at Wal-Mart.  It won't last long.  Get you some 4200 this off season and reseal it


    Any water that gets to that plywood floor will soak up store water, spreading throughout the floor
    · Share on Facebook
  • DonGarganoDonGargano Member Posts: 60 ✭
    PickleRick   Nope.  Some good stuff from Ottawa's top marine supply shop.  
    BOATLIFE #1140, MARINE SILICONE RUBBER 
    · Share on Facebook
  • PickleRickPickleRick Member Posts: 4,388 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Look like good stuff to me!   

    I had to use the walmart stuff in a pinch around chain plates on a sailboat.

    The next weekend I had to bail 3 inches of water out of the cabin after a tropical storm passed.





    · Share on Facebook
  • randy56randy56 Member Posts: 4,085 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great fix, you will stay in your seat.
    Boat Name : 

    · Share on Facebook
Sign In or Register to comment.