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Random Quote: I dont know nothin about fishin but I can lie as good as any fisherman.
I was wondering if any Mako 171 owners have removed their pedestal seats? I plan to put a leaning post and was curious if the posts were thru bolted or just screwed into the floor? I do not see a easy way if they are trhru-bolted to get under to remove?
I think almost all pedestals, regardless of manufacturer, are screwed down when there isn't easy access to the back side of the floor. The ones on my old Grady are screwed down.
common plastic anchors, stainless steel screws and some marine adhesive will add more strength. West Marine also sells some unique drop in toggle nuts with strings to hold with bolts.
I was thinking of removing mine, but has anyone filled the holes to where it looked good? If I did put a leaning post on, a ooler would be convering it most of the time..but still I am anal..
Any chance there is a leaning post that will fit over the existing seat pedastals? This may sound dumb my 21 has always had a leaning post and when I take it off the pedestals I wonder if two seats could fit there
the pedastals on my mako are screwed to the deck / fuel tank hatch cover.
My 21 Mako has a Leaning Post and Captain's Chairs. I just slip the Leaning Post off and the Captain's Chairs slip right on the same posts. I assume this was a factory option. Check with Mako, maybe they are still avail.
Atkinson Marine used to make a leaning post/rocket launcher combo that just slides on over existing pedastals. Several other manufacturers have followed. I just removed the seats/pedastals and enjoyed a lot more room on my old 171.
No pics, mine was an older boat. I just drilled the holes out and filled with gel-putty.
It's hard to sit down in a 171 while running in anything other than a calm sea so the extra room was nice for fishing. For a newer boat with asthetics to consider, a narrow leaning post would be my choice.
Tuner- How did it look after you filled the holes? The smitty post is 36"w x 15" Deep which is a good size compared to how much the captains chairs take up
what year is your 171? If it is 10+ years old I would consider pulling the old ones to have a look.
I'm not familiar with the 171 design but if the fuel tank is in the center like my 21 and has a hatch screwed over it. It may be time to pull the hatch up and take a look at everything. check the fuel fill, fuel supply lines and foam. a lot of Makos (mine included) can get water intrusion into the fuel tank hatch due to the bottom edge not being finished. It is also easy to "back" the new or existing pedastals with the hatch out.
If the 171 doesn't have the same design sorry for the wasted space.
One thing I just thought of, what if I cut out holes and put access panels where the existing pedetsal bases are? This way I can put a normal leaning post on ?
Mako 171 Owners..Pedestal Seats..remove? 
