???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

I recently bought a 1974 16' Arrowglass Muskie that had a deck/stringer replacement done by the previous owner. I got the boat with all the interior removed as in attached pic. I am now ready to install the steering console, seats, etc and am wondering how to attach them to the deck. I have no idea how thick the new deck is but if I had to guess I would guess 1/2"-5/8". I thought if I could find the stringers or any other solid wood under the deck I would sink wood screws into them for a solid mount. But I have had no luck finding the stringers or any other under deck supports. I have tried a studfinder and tapping but haven't had any consistent results. Or maybe I should try not to hit the stringers and use a combination of a few toggle bolts and wood screws? Any advice on how I should go about mounting anything?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

I'd toggle bolt it. Wood screws would definitely pull out.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

I would contact the PO and find out how he did the stringers ,on the off chance he screwed up the job.

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

YAH CALL HIM, then wait for him to say "what's a stringer?"

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

C'mon....you guys have no faith in your fellow human beings. Maybe the picture doesn't show it well, but the guy did a very good job on the deck replacement and glassing it in. And I can see what appears to be new wood (stringers??) through drain holes on each side of the bilge splash well (or whatever it's called). I'm just not sure where they go from there. I guess I just choose to believe the guy did the job right, from what I can see and from talking to him. But unfortunately I have no way of getting in touch with him now to ask about the stringers. The thing that surprises me is that of the hundreds (thousands???)of posts on here about restoration projects, apparently how to mount seats is a very closely guarded secret, not to be shared with just anyone who asks.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

Ok, I'll dive in. First off, need to know what kind of seats. Second need to know what your console looks like. I would suggest epoxying and glass tabbing mounting plates to the deck for your seats and the console. If you are using pedastal mounts then I would glass and toggle bolt plywood pyramid plates to the deck for support.

Pics of your seats and console would greatly help us to help you.

I'm just sayin...

 

[erikgreen]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

If you don't have access to the underside of the deck, I'd use something mounted on the deck with glue or (as a last resort) screws. The problem with screws is that they make holes for water to get into the deck. Same with bolts, although with them you can at least pre-drill the hole then coat the inside with something to waterproof it.

I'd suggest for your situation glassing a wood base to the top of the deck glass and screwing into that (use a good hardwood for the base). Fillet the edges like you would anything else you glass over (alternatively, bevel the edges with a router or saw).

That way if the screws let water in to rot the base you remove and replace it, not the deck. Alternatively you can use glassed over wood boxes as seat bases, to get some storage in addition to mounting your seats.

Toggle bolts also work if you seal the holes.

Ideally you'd get access under decks to use regular stainless steel bolts with an aluminum or stainless steel backing plate. That is the strongest and is pretty much required for pedestal type seats with small bases, to avoid cracking.

Erik

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

Thanks for the replies guys. Sorry Woodonglass, it never occurred to me to post pics of the console or base mounts. Here they are:

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

I have no access to under the deck. It is basically a sealed deck right now. The deck has been painted since the 1st pic. I guess to glass down wood mounting bases I would have to strip the paint where I am mounting them first right? I have never done any glass work like that before. If I glassed wood bases onto the deck how strong would the adhesion be? More than wood screws I guess huh? I think I may just use a combination of toggle bolts and wood screws and seal all holes real good. I just thought it would be nice if I could sort of get some idea what I was going to hit when I start drilling holes. Like I said previously, where I am going to use toggle bolts I wouldn't want to hit a stringer, but if I knew there was a stringer or some other support under the deck I would just use a wood screw in that particular spot. I guess I would be more likely to hit an "open spot" under the deck for a toggle bolt than any stringer or support.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

My previous suggestion remains the same. I would sand off the paint in the mounting areas. I would make mounting plates out of white oak and toggle bolt them and peanut butter and fillet them to the deck. You could then utilize the mounting holes on your console and seats. If you coat the plates with resin, predrill the holes coat the holes and screws with resin before mounting it should last for years.

I'm just sayin...

 

[erikgreen]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

I can agree with that.. I'd add a layer of glass over the oak, that'll make it even more waterproof and stronger. If you want, skip the peanut butter, just bevel the edges of the oak, put it in place with resin under it, and put a couple layers of glass on top.

Erik

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

Thanks again for the replies. I think I see what I need to do now. But just one last question because I'ver never worked with resin before ....the oak that I will be glassing to the deck...will I have a strong enough bond just using resin between, on top and on the edges, without using toggle bolts, or should I plan on using some toggle bolts too?

 

[sasto]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

bolts......

 

[erikgreen]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

Just using resin, you won't have a strong enough bond unless it's epoxy resin.

If you glass over the oak block with mat and cloth, it'll be plenty strong. It makes sense to do it this way because part of the point of using a mounting block is to avoid making holes in your deck. Holes let in water.

Think of it this way: The new oak block will be a permanent part of your boat for all intents and purposes... except you can freely screw into it and make holes.. the worst that can happen is that it rots, in which case you still haven't got rot in your whole deck. Lots of people use glassed on blocks for mounting anything inside the boat.. if the block rots, replace it, not much harm done. The freedom to put a screw in where you want is nice.

Just use a reasonably sized block (I'd go at least 6x6x3/4" for a seat base), glass over it, done.

Erik

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

I TOTALLY agree with ERIK. If you use Epoxy and Glass you Will NOT need to Toggle.


I'm just sayin...

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

Oak, epoxy resin, and some sort of mat or cloth it is then. Now I'm off to search for posts on the process I need to use to do that. I previously had a post on how I could tell whether the previous owner used poly or epoxy and never did come up with a positive answer but I would guess poly, but if I use epoxy I will be ok no matter what he used right? And since it's not really gonna be huge areas I'm doing, the cost shouldn't be too bad. Just have to learn how to do it now. Thanks again guys.

 

[Expidia]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

I don't know much about glassing, but that's a sweet way to buy a rig having someone else do most of the dirty work for you already.

From past threads watching people restoring old boats it looks like he did a great job on that deck.

What are those two big humps for?

I'd like to see a pic of the whole boat if it would not be a problem for you?

Also post back with pics of the finished product. I love watching old boats being brought back to life again

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

Yeah when I first saw the boat I knew it was mine. After fishing in a 12' semi-vee aluminum boat (very unstable) I was ready for something more stable. It"s a 15' tri hull. But the thing I liked about it is that I can now pretty much lay out the interior just how I want it. It's not the prettiest thing to look at cosmetically but it will serve me very well. I didn't get a motor with it and only paid $350 for the boat and a nice trailer. Like I said I believe the guy did the stringers right and it definetely looks like he did the deck right (to me anyways). He was moving to Florida from Ohio and didn't want to take it with him. So I bought it and about 2 weeks later ran across a boat with a good running 115 Johnson with a rotten deck and transom. Bought it for the motor and I can use some parts off the boat and I'm gonna turn the trailer from it into a utility trailer when I strip the boat and scrap it. Actually I just finally moved the motor onto this boat a few days ago. Need to get the console in to hook up steering so I can take it out. From my point of view, when I'm done, I'm gonna have a $25,000 bass boat for about $1500.

Oh and I'm not sure exactly what those humps in the bow are. I guess thats what tri-hulls look like without any interior.
EDIT: Just came too me that thats what a tri hull would look like inside. Guess it just looks weird because there's no carpet or seats etc in it. It's my 7th boat but first tri-hull.

EDIT: REMOVED bad link. posted new one lower.




Here is a pic from the sales brochure of my boat as new. Mine is the top blue one. I got all interior stuff with the boat, although it's not all in the greatest condition.

 

[Expidia]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

Cool. I remember my fishing days from a 12 foot aluminium. Worst part was standing on the aluminum struts. You will love that deck!

You should open a free photobucket account to post pics. That one you gave me to view the boat is asking me to set up a web account. So I gave up. Never saw your pic. Don't want to get spammed by yahoo. With pbase you just copy a link and the pic opens automatically.

I can find the instructions others have posted if you need it.
you can default to a smaller size so you don't have to change the reduction each time.

Picture will opens like this:

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: ???Mounting console/seats...FINDING STRINGERS??? w/pic

""Worst part was standing on the aluminum struts. You will love that deck!""


Standing??? I'm 57 years old and I have a hard enough time trying to stay in my seat when I'm sitting!!

Sorry about that link. Here's a pic that should open ok.