question about mounting seat pedestal - The Hull Truth

linusb · 03-12-2006, 06:18 PM

I'd like to mount an additional seat pedestal near the stern on my 16' Waccamaw. When I mentioned this to the dealer who is doing my repower, he thought that the deck might not be thick enough and that the mounting screws might protrude through the bottom of the hull. I must admit, that that thought never crossed my mind.

What is the normal screw length and what type of screws should I use to secure a pedestal base into the decking? Am I in danger of screwing out of the hull on this boat?

Also, do I drill pilot holes or just screw directly into the deck? What about 5200 or some type of adhesive to keep water out? If so, do I apply that onto the screws before fastening them. If not, what is the proper way?

Popgun · 03-12-2006, 10:18 PM

linsub,

I am looking at an older McKee catalog. Its not dated, but I believe it is a 1993. It shows the Waccamaw and right below it the 16' CC Fisher. The Fisher has the pedestal seat installed.

It is not installed on the hull, but rather on the lid of the forward storage box. The lid fits over the place you put your feet when sitting in the bow, and a part called the forward bulkhead closes it in in the rear (ok, I didn't name the parts).

I added this kit to my 17' Southporter last Fall. The lid is some kind of heavy duty. So is the one for the 16, I know as they shipped me one by mistake at first. The kit is easy to install, comes with all the parts and looks great. The downside is you lose the walkthough, but but you end up with a big deck. It cost just at $400.

I would suggest you call Mr. Scott Wilkerson at McKee Craft and he can explain everything.

If you get the kit, make sure that it will clear you consoles before drilling any screw holes. It mounts with 3 hinges on the forward end. It cleared easily on mine, but YMMV.

I put it on my boat as there was nowhere to put an anchor so I made the walkthough into an anchor box. Its big on the 17'. I lined it with some heavy duty military grade vinyl flooring so as not to mess up the hull. And oh yeah, Scott said not to drill close to the bow swells as it is not thick there.

If you want pictures, I can scan in the pages and email them. If you really want to add this, I can take some shots of my installation and send them too.

linusb · 03-19-2006, 05:37 PM

Thanks for the reply. I already have the insert that makes for a complete deck in the bow of the boat. and may eventually put a seat up there. What I'm really looking for is some additional seating in the main cockpit for when the boat is underway.

I'd like to either mount some pedestals or somehow get a bench seat that I could fabricate a mount for and put across the splashwell.

Popgun · 03-19-2006, 08:04 PM

linusb,

I have to say I'm sorry. I missed the stern in your post and went off on that diatribe.

I looked at the 2 older catalogs I have and they show different configurations for the Waccamaw. One has a seat on either side at the transom, and another has a benchseat/splashwell with a gas tank under it, like my Southporter. I don't know what you have, or all the configs, they had, but there is wood or synthetic (depends on your year) in the deck and you can screw right into that. Thats what McKee does. I would seal it good in any case to prevent water intrusion between the hulls.

I can't help with screw sizes as I never replaced any pedestals on my old 14 footer or my Southporter. Others here could help with that.

Before doing anything you are not absolutely sure about, call Mr. Scott Wilkerson at McKee Craft. He will be more that happy to help you out and keep you from messing up anything. He is a very nice man and has helped me on more than one occasion. They encourage calls. The number is on their web site.

Good luck

linusb · 03-19-2006, 08:47 PM

Thanks for the advice Popgun, my configuration is simply two seat pedestals behind each console and no other seating. I will definitely give Scott Wilkerson a call, I can't imagine that there would be an issue drilling into the deck but that dealer (non McKee Craft dealer) made me question as to whether sufficiently long screws would go out through the bottom of the hull.

signmansez · 03-19-2006, 11:36 PM

linus, check out a a toggle bolt sold at the marine stores. they are designed for this particular application, i think if you just use screws you will end up pullimg them out over time. there is a lot of weight and stress placed on a pedestal seat.

Cap'n Crunch · 03-20-2006, 07:54 AM

I think that a good approach would be to take a piece if 1/2" marine plywood slightly larger than the base of your pedestal. If it were me, I'd make it round and use a router to put a nice radius on the edge. Fiberglass it top and bottom. Then, pre fit for stainless T nuts and bolts for your seat base. You could glass it into place, but I'd use 5200 to glue it down to the deck. If you want to use screws in addition to the 5200, use a small pilot bit. After the bit breaks through the deck, stop the drill and push it through the foam until the bit stops against the outer hull. Mark the bit and pull it out. The bit now shows the longest screw that you could possibly use, but anything longer than the deck thickness is overkill. After everything is cured, just bolt on the seat and off you go.