Thread: Installing a pedestal seat base

I have a MV Jon boat with a rear floatation bench seat. I want to install a 3/4" pedestal seat base in the center of the bench. Because of the foam, I don't have access underneath for nuts or reinforcement. Will sheet metal screws be strong enough to hold it in place? Could I use sheet metal screws with 3M 5200 to bond it? Suggestions?

Originally Posted by Fish8MyBait

I have a MV Jon boat with a rear floatation bench seat. I want to install a 3/4" pedestal seat base in the center of the bench. Because of the foam, I don't have access underneath for nuts or reinforcement. Will sheet metal screws be strong enough to hold it in place? Could I use sheet metal screws with 3M 5200 to bond it? Suggestions?

I'd use heavy duty toggle(butterfly) bolts.

Yea, sheet metal screws would just pull out of that aluminum.

You might want to consider "pop rivets" Using 3/16" dia. evenly spaced would dothe job.

Do not skimp on mounting the base. There is a lot of stress placed on it. Something really bad could happen.

Thanks Speckfinder... That is probably the best advice I could have gotten. Now the question is, what does not skimping look like?

(You don't happen to have an Uncle Fudge do you?)

Originally Posted by speckfinder

Do not skimp on mounting the base. There is a lot of stress placed on it. Something really bad could happen.

Ditto! I'd go with the heavy duty toggle bolts.

My G3 has a diamond plate aluminum floor, probably about 1/8" thick. I got a piece of 1/2" plywood and cutout a piece about 18" square, so that it would overlap the ribs or other fastening points of the existing floor. I epoxy coated it just so it would never rot, then fastened it to the existing floor. Now when I installed the seat base, the stress was spread out over a large area. I'm 250#s, and it hasn't moved a bit. I'd look to see if you can do the same thing. If your deck is just thin aluminum, maybe you may want to go with 3/4 plywood. I could take a picture of what I did if you'd like.

I fished out of 14/48 jon for a number of years and modified mine for a seat pedestal. I cut two holes with a hole saw at the top/back of the rear bench seat. Ran two pieces of steel angle the width of the bench and worked them through the styrofoam into the holes. The angle was pre-drilled for the dimension of bases and had a lock nut JB welded to the bottom. Placed a seat base on top of the bench, (used the hole saw to cut a hole in the bench to allow for the threaded recessed portion of the base) then drilled holes to line up with the angle. Insert screws and secure it tightly. I then carpeted the bench top and sides to cover up the holes. Can't even tell the holes are there, and it is rock solid.

good ideal guys