Helm Seat Pedestal Upgrade Time NOW!!

[Maybe A Dancer]

Removing the seat pedestal today.

Will make a paper template of the bolt circles, top and bottom and get a height spec.

Planning to visit STIDD at the boat show this week to see about a new pedestal.

Any other suggestions are welcome !

BEST !

RWS

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Here's an update:

Removed the base and found the bottom plate to be as foretold above - THANK YOU.

The current GARELICK arrangement is sloppy/rickety, but the 9.25" base plate is solid.

The footrest is tucked in too far to be of much use.

The original plan was to just update/replace the hardware and re-use the newly covered seat.

Nice as my newly covered seat is, If I replace the entire seat I gain a really nice, comfortable footrest that's in the right place, AND a truly comfortable, up to date seat.

The existing 9.25" base plate is aluminum, and can be drilled and tapped to accept most any brand pedestal.

I visited STIDD, LLEBROC, POMPANETTE and others at the show, with STIDD and LLEBROC currently at the top of the list for a complete replacement.

Some may say I'm putting lipstick on a pig, but she's MY PIG !

I selected this vessel and have set her up as my LAST BOAT, doing all the upgrades, improvements, modifications and establishing her BASELINE in a first class manner, so I guess this is just one more step in that direction.

Looks like writing this post has helped me reach the conclusion I needed.

Photos to follow.

BEST !

RWS

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Photos here of the hardware, factory base and the Garelick footrest I added last year:

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Your comments are appreciated.

BEST !

RWS

 

[quality time]

I have STIDD lowbacks and they're like riding on a cloud. I'm glad the PO installed them because I'd have had a hard time paying that much!

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

I think I'm headed down that rabbit hole...................................................

 

[b_arrington]

One of my fellow Back Cove owners just had this Llebroc seat made for his boat. It's a Tradewinds Series 2 seat. The fabric matches the rest of his boat. The black bulb thing is to inflate the optional lumbar support. He said the total cost for his seat was under $3000. They are build to order and have a bunch of options, like cup holders and heaters. His seat was delivered in about 4 weeks.

I have the same model and can attest that it's very comfortable in all sea conditions.

This is their footrest page. Lots of options. https://www.llebroc.com/category-s/134.htm

 

[scooper321]

Question: the OP started this thread by saying: "The factory helm seat pedestal is sloppy, and no matter how much I clean it ... it gets some really nice greazy spots"

The pedestals on my 400DB aren't greasy, but they could use some love. The knobs are hard to pull on (to allow the seat to rotate or adjust). I'd rather spend the money on new seats than new pedestals; so can these pedestal controls be easily cleaned and "rebuilt" so they operate a little more smoothly? That's all I need out of a pedestal fix. I do need new seats, however.

 

[ttmott]

Question: the OP started this thread by saying: "The factory helm seat pedestal is sloppy, and no matter how much I clean it ... it gets some really nice greazy spots"

The pedestals on my 400DB aren't greasy, but they could use some love. The knobs are hard to pull on (to allow the seat to rotate or adjust). I'd rather spend the money on new seats than new pedestals; so can these pedestal controls be easily cleaned and "rebuilt" so they operate a little more smoothly? That's all I need out of a pedestal fix. I do need new seats, however.

I did on my 400DA including replacing the air spring. The hard part was figuring out how the thing was assembled so I could take it apart.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Question: the OP started this thread by saying: "The factory helm seat pedestal is sloppy, and no matter how much I clean it ... it gets some really nice greazy spots"

The pedestals on my 400DB aren't greasy, but they could use some love. The knobs are hard to pull on (to allow the seat to rotate or adjust). I'd rather spend the money on new seats than new pedestals; so can these pedestal controls be easily cleaned and "rebuilt" so they operate a little more smoothly? That's all I need out of a pedestal fix. I do need new seats, however.

My factory seats have GARELICK hardware.

The plate bolter through the floor is tight.

Regardless of how much the "adjustments" are tightened, the whole thing is sloppy.

I purchased a GARELICK (bolt on the tune) footrest last spring and put some clear silicone dielectric grease on the moving parts.

Amazon.com

The result was that everything moves, slides and twists 100% better, however the rickety sloppyness has not changed.

Working on the LLBROC and STIDD details now.

BEST !

RWS

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

One of my fellow Back Cove owners just had this Llebroc seat made for his boat. It's a Tradewinds Series 2 seat. The fabric matches the rest of his boat. The black bulb thing is to inflate the optional lumbar support. He said the total cost for his seat was under $3000. They are build to order and have a bunch of options, like cup holders and heaters. His seat was delivered in about 4 weeks.

I have the same model and can attest that it's very comfortable in all sea conditions.

This is their footrest page. Lots of options. https://www.llebroc.com/category-s/134.htm


Thanks Brad.

I am also looking at the LLBROC TRADEWINDS HB SERIES 2 HELM CHAIR.

This has a 12" base as compared to my 9.25" base, however I am currently considering a simple direct bolt on of the 12" base to my 9" base - drill and tap, then I'd bolt the new 12" pedestal to that 12" base.

Should I choose that route, I'll have a gap approx 1/4" tall and 1.4" all around the base, requiring a healthy, but mostly out of sight caulk joint.

Still doing my due diligence.

BEST !

RWS

 

[scooper321]

My factory seats have GARELICK hardware.

The plate bolter through the floor is tight.

Regardless of how much the "adjustments" are tightened, the whole thing is sloppy.

I purchased a GARELICK (bolt on the tune) footrest last spring and put some clear silicone dielectric grease on the moving parts.

Amazon.com

The result was that everything moves, slides and twists 100% better, however the rickety sloppyness has not changed.

Working on the LLBROC and STIDD details now.

BEST !

RWS

I get it. There is a little play, back and forth, when I'm in the chair. I think the passenger helm seat (where my wife sits) is worse than mine. Honestly, the biggest thing making me hesitate about a new pedestal, too, is that I don't want to drill and tap anything. I want something that interfaces directly (with the holes lining up) with the base that's on there. I needed a new base for my upper helm table a while ago and must have bought and returned 4 different ones, trying to find one that lined up. None did. Ultimately went to MarineMax and had them order the part using the Sea Ray p/n. I'm imagining something similar with needing a new pedestal...

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

I get it. There is a little play, back and forth, when I'm in the chair. I think the passenger helm seat (where my wife sits) is worse than mine. Honestly, the biggest thing making me hesitate about a new pedestal, too, is that I don't want to drill and tap anything. I want something that interfaces directly (with the holes lining up) with the base that's on there. I needed a new base for my upper helm table a while ago and must have bought and returned 4 different ones, trying to find one that lined up. None did. Ultimately went to MarineMax and had them order the part using the Sea Ray p/n. I'm imagining something similar with needing a new pedestal...

STIDD has a base that mounts up directly to the GARELICK 9.25" base (read through the above posts for the detail)

I'm definitely leaning this way.

The 3 factory holes will line up perfectly, and I have the option to drill/tap 3 additional holes into the factory plate.

No muss, no fuss, no hassle.

BEST !

RWS

 

[ttmott]

STIDD has a base that mounts up directly to the GARELICK 9.25" base (read through the above posts for the detail)

I'm definitely leaning this way.

The 3 factory holes will line up perfectly, and I have the option to drill/tap 3 additional holes into the factory plate.

No muss, no fuss, no hassle.

BEST !

RWS

Did you talk to STIDD at the show about show prices? It's been four or five years since I bought the complete seat assemblies with adapter plates but I was able to get two complete Admiral 500 seats for a tick over $6K. Any other time they are over $6K each.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

YES - getting boat show price !

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

This wobbly factory pedestal has to go.

in order to get the footrest, I'll need to replace the entire seat.

Looked at lots at the show, STIDD and LLEBROCK lead the pack, however we're going to pull the trigger with the STIDD and have them use my own fabric to match.

Don't ask how can I justify the cost. I can't.

But it's my last boat...... REALLY !

Unlikely I can get anything bigger underneath that bridge.

Now if I win the lottery, all bets are off.

BEST !

RWS