Helm Seat Pedestal Upgrade Time NOW!!

[Maybe A Dancer]

So one thing leads to the other, right.

Ever said this: Might as well do THIS while I'm in there doing THAT !

Just went down the rabbit hole, replacing the 28 year old cockpit upholstery is in process.

The factory helm seat pedestal is sloppy, and no matter how much I clean it, our dog loves to ride behind the helm at times and gets some really nice greazy spots on her fur thhat are difficult to remove.

So, time now to upgrade.

Seeking input from those who have boldly gone here before me.

Want a pedestal that will:

raise/lower easily - maybe with an air piston, but not electric

want to have swivel and fore/aft ability, AND the ability to raise nice and high for over the windshield
viewing, AND lower enough to get behind the windshield if it's raining

have concerns as to what happens to the floor fasteners, once they are loosened/removed
will I have to remove the headliner in the midcabin to access these fasteners?

Factory captains seat will likely be modified before reupholster to lengthen armrests and change the height/style of the backrest.

Anyone ?

BEST !

RWS

 

[Stee6043]

Break out a coupla boat bucks! I thought I was ready for a new helm seat until I saw the cashola involved...

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

NO.....

NOT replacing the seat, just the PEDESTAL !

I'm in unknown waters here.....

Seeking advice.

BEST !

RWS

 

[ttmott]

NO.....

NOT replacing the seat, just the PEDESTAL !

I'm in unknown waters here.....

Seeking advice.

BEST !

RWS

The helm seat on my 400DA was simply too low to comfortably run the boat. I had a 4 inch spacer made from SST and mounted the existing pedestal onto that. Functionality was the same.
I replaced the helm seats on the 52DB with Stidds and have found the pedestals to be far superior to the OEM ones and no grease. You might give Stidd a call and see what they have. Not inexpensive but the best. Stidd makes an adapter plate so their pedestal's will screw right down.

 

[Skybolt]

Stidd is arguably the best for sure, and is installed on all high end boats. And will also cost you a few boat bucks just for the pedestal(s).

These are not of the quality of Stidd, but are not bad for what they provide: https://www.westmarine.com/springfield-14-1-2inch---20inch-adjustable-heavy-duty-mainstay-adjustable-package-with-slide-17074840.html?&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=PMax: GSC>Smart_Shopping>BoatDeckBimini&Clothing&Watersports&TraileringNCA&gclid=CjwKCAjwjOunBhB4EiwA94JWsCFEYg5NXoRJljW-GyX0NpyABlTG5wG4oESWnbu4e2kk35Qbs3FvNxoClS0QAvD_BwE

You can find used Stidd Pedestals on ebay between $500 and $1200 each: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2756173965...wDI_tW-h1YcHdhC5GOsReXiXz9WpYktxoCS4cQAvD_BwE

I am doing the same thing over the winter because, like Tom, seeing comfortably over the bow is not easy with the SR Express's.

 

[Sgrochow]

NO.....

NOT replacing the seat, just the PEDESTAL !

I'm in unknown waters here.....

Seeking advice.

BEST !

RWS

Replaced my pedestal with a Garelick, I believe that's what the original one was too. It's not a fancy one, doesn't raise and lower easily. My purpose for posting is that I too was worried about the fasteners. The original ones came out easy and the new ones tightened up just fine. No headliner removal was needed. I was fully expecting to have to figure out how to gain access but wasn't needed.

 

[bobeast]

I'm installing a Garelick friction lock pedestal as we speak. There is a large upholstered disk in the ceiling of the aft cabin (310DA) that has to be removed to gain access to the nuts below the pedestal. The job requires two people unless you happen to be Rubberband Man.

 

[Sgrochow]

I'm installing a Garelick friction lock pedestal as we speak. There is a large upholstered disk in the ceiling of the aft cabin (310DA) that has to be removed to gain access to the nuts below the pedestal. The job requires two people unless you happen to be Rubberband Man.

There is a large upholstered piece in my boat as well. Shaped like a large guitar. I didn’t have to remove it, the new fasteners tightened up, not sure if there are nuts behind it or some sort of threaded fasteners in there.

 

[bobeast]

I was hoping for the same, but the screws just spun. Had nylon insert lock nuts on mine. Had a dock buddy help out. Time will tell if I like this particular setup. The friction lock worries me as to how long it will stand up to my "substantial physique"

 

[ttmott]

There is a large upholstered piece in my boat as well. Shaped like a large guitar. I didn’t have to remove it, the new fasteners tightened up, not sure if there are nuts behind it or some sort of threaded fasteners in there.

I was hoping for the same, but the screws just spun. Had nylon insert lock nuts on mine. Had a dock buddy help out. Time will tell if I like this particular setup. The friction lock worries me as to how long it will stand up to my "substantial physique"

Isn't there a baseplate that the seat pedestal mounts to and it is that baseplate that bolts through the deck?
The seat and pedestal can be removed without getting into the bolts through the deck, right?
Then make up an adapter plate that both adapts to the baseplate and the new seat pedestal.
Those plates in my picture are adapters to the existing baseplates.

 

[Sgrochow]

Isn't there a baseplate that the seat pedestal mounts to and it is that baseplate that bolts through the deck?
The seat and pedestal can be removed without getting into the bolts through the deck, right?
Then make up an adapter plate that both adapts to the baseplate and the new seat pedestal.
Those plates in my picture are adapters to the existing baseplates.

@ttmott you are 100 percent correct. Just got back to the boat and looked at my recent install, indeed there is a base plate. I apologize for the misinformation that I posted.

 

[ocgrant]

I ended up with these from a super yacht. Gladly sell for a couple hundred bucks each.

 

[b_arrington]

This Stidd pedestal could be your ticket. Seems to be able to mate to other vendor's base plate.

The fore/aft adjustment, and the some degree the swivel, is more a function of the seat and the mounting spider vs. the pedestal.

As far as Stidd seats...mmmmmm Stiiiiiidddddd. I have Llebroc seats on my boat and they are very comfortable, but Stidd is another level.

Speaking of Llebroc, they also have a number of telescoping pedestal options. This one is their top of the line, with 10" of height adjustment They come in a range of colors. They have other models tool.

 

[bobeast]

Isn't there a baseplate that the seat pedestal mounts to and it is that baseplate that bolts through the deck?
The seat and pedestal can be removed without getting into the bolts through the deck, right?
Then make up an adapter plate that both adapts to the baseplate and the new seat pedestal.
Those plates in my picture are adapters to the existing baseplates.

With the original Garelick, you could remove the fluted pedestal from the base. The new one however has the pedestal pole welded to a new base-plate. It makes sense if you think about it. With an adjustable height pedestal you don't want the pedestal to come out of its base when you pull up on the seat to adjust it to a higher position.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Thank you all for these valuable replies.

Been out overnight x2 on the hook, just now plugged the laptop into the cellphone for internet!





.......................................... Ok, so I'm a tease!

Anyhow, the pedestal on this vessel has allen head fasteners attaching the base to the deck, above the mid cabin.

I am unable to feel any fasteners through the midcabin headliner, which would likely never be the same if removed.

I hesitate to "test" removal of those allen head deck fasteners for fear that once loosened, they may never be properly retightened without damaging that headliner.

Not enough bandwith here to download the STIDD brochure, but will seriously get into this tomorrow, as well as all the options.

Expecting the worst and wondering if anyone knows what I might expect regarding those base fasteners.

Will likely have to adapt to the current seat base.

BEST !

RWS

 

[ttmott]

With the original Garelick, you could remove the fluted pedestal from the base. The new one however has the pedestal pole welded to a new base-plate. It makes sense if you think about it. With an adjustable height pedestal you don't want the pedestal to come out of its base when you pull up on the seat to adjust it to a higher position.

One thing though - the base plate is separate from the pole/foot assembly - The pole assembly is welded to the foot and the foot is screwed to the baseplate. There are two bolt circles on the base plate. One is for the bolts through the deck that hold the base plate to the boat. The other bolt circle are tapped holes for the screws that hold the pedestal assembly to the base plate.

 

[ttmott]

Thank you all for these valuable replies.

Been out overnight x2 on the hook, just now plugged the laptop into the cellphone for internet!

View attachment 150841

View attachment 150842

.......................................... Ok, so I'm a tease!

Anyhow, the pedestal on this vessel has allen head fasteners attaching the base to the deck, above the mid cabin.

I am unable to feel any fasteners through the midcabin headliner, which would likely never be the same if removed.

I hesitate to "test" removal of those allen head deck fasteners for fear that once loosened, they may never be properly retightened without damaging that headliner.

Not enough bandwith here to download the STIDD brochure, but will seriously get into this tomorrow, as well as all the options.

Expecting the worst and wondering if anyone knows what I might expect regarding those base fasteners.

Will likely have to adapt to the current seat base.

BEST !

RWS

The screws that are around the foot in this picture do not go through the deck; they thread into the base plate. You can remove them without having to remove the bolts that go through the deck - no problem -

 

[ttmott]

Thank you all for these valuable replies.

Been out overnight x2 on the hook, just now plugged the laptop into the cellphone for internet!

View attachment 150841

View attachment 150842

.......................................... Ok, so I'm a tease!

Anyhow, the pedestal on this vessel has allen head fasteners attaching the base to the deck, above the mid cabin.

I am unable to feel any fasteners through the midcabin headliner, which would likely never be the same if removed.

I hesitate to "test" removal of those allen head deck fasteners for fear that once loosened, they may never be properly retightened without damaging that headliner.

Not enough bandwith here to download the STIDD brochure, but will seriously get into this tomorrow, as well as all the options.

Expecting the worst and wondering if anyone knows what I might expect regarding those base fasteners.

Will likely have to adapt to the current seat base.

BEST !

RWS

This is what you will find when you remove those cap screws and pull the seat assembly away -

 

[bobeast]

One thing though - the base plate is separate from the pole/foot assembly - The pole assembly is welded to the foot and the foot is screwed to the baseplate. There are two bolt circles on the base plate. One is for the bolts through the deck that hold the base plate to the boat. The other bolt circle are tapped holes for the screws that hold the pedestal assembly to the base plate.

gotcha. In my boat there is no base plate. there is only the foot (which I was calling the base plate) The foot mounts directly to the deck with through bolts backed by locking nuts

 

[bobeast]

So an update on the Garelick friction lock pedestal. I'm afraid I can't recommend it. After hand tightening the knob as tight as I could get it, I found that the pedestal would inch downward after repeated pounding. They do provide a nut to wrench tighten it, which seemed to lock it in, but who wants to use a wrench every time they adjust the height?

I now have a Springfield Mainstay pedestal on order, with the pneumatic piston. Hopefully that can support my considerable bulk.