Help replacing a deck base plate

[Capt Rod]

I am very new at this so please forgive me if I use the wrong terms. <br />I have a Hydro Sport bass boat and the back seat's bass plate is loose. I took up the carpet and found that the base plate has two problems. First the piece that that goes into the hull is rusted and bent. This piece is where the shaft from seat post is inserted. So I am going to replace the base. The next problem is that the screws on the back row of the base plate screw directly into the fiberglass hull. There is no access underneath so I cannot put in a backing plate. The problem with this is that the holes are stripped out on the back row. <br /><br />My plan is to replace the base plate I have found two 8" x 4" base plates one is by Springfield Marine and the other is Swivl-Eze. The seat post that I have is threaded so I take it I need to get a threaded base plate? The Springfield base list an available bushing do I need this and will my seat post work with these bases or do I need their seat post? <br /><br />My last question is about securing the back row of screws. I could use a larger self tapping screw and I am sure this would work, but is there a better way? I thought about using an anchor bolt maybe since there is no way I can get underneath, but could this have a negative impact?<br /><br />Thanks for all feedback in advance.

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: Help replacing a deck base plate

How about turning the bases slightly and drilling new mounting holes? If I'm picturing this right your bases have 6 holes. If you turn each base so that the new holes land between the old ones you might be able to remount them like they were when new. It all depends on how solid the flooring is.<br /><br />Toggle bolts would be great too, but they don't generally come large enough for this application and they aren't generally available in stainless steel or even galvanized so they won't last long in a wet environment. <br /><br />I know it's not an option for you, but I just refloored my aluminum fishing boat. I mounted the pedestal seat receivers before installing the floor. This allowed me to using backing plates with bolts and nuts rather than screws as the boat was equipped originally. These will hold until the floor turns to dust. Again, not a solution for you given your circumstance, but the best way to do it whenever possible.<br /><br />I read a post recently about filling the holes with an epoxy / sawdust mix. Sorry, don't recall whose suggestion it was, but it might allow you to close the current holes, then redrill them starting from scratch. Again, it depends on how solid the floor is I think.

 

[Capt Rod]

Re: Help replacing a deck base plate

Originally posted by Terry Olson:<br /> How about turning the bases slightly and drilling new mounting holes? If I'm picturing this right your bases have 6 holes. If you turn each base so that the new holes land between the old ones you might be able to remount them like they were when new. <br /><br />I read a post recently about filling the holes with an epoxy / sawdust mix. Sorry, don't recall whose suggestion it was, but it might allow you to close the current holes, then redrill them starting from scratch. Again, it depends on how solid the floor is I think.

Thanks for the reply. The floor is grooved and countersunk for the base plate so I am not able to rotate it. I did think about using an epoxy to fill the holes and redrill, but I was not sure how well it would hold up being fiberglass. I wonder if Marine Tex would work to fill the holes then redrill?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help replacing a deck base plate

I wonder if Marine Tex would work to fill the holes then redrill?

Excellent Choice..................