Gloom, despair, and agony on me...

Well, I was planning a trip down to Grenada this week but that's been put on hold. I recently had one of my pedestal posts break off about 3 inches above the base plate, nearly tossing me into Arkabutla. I finished the trip perched atop a cooler running the trolling motor. I got home and tried to remove the stub from base plate (pipe wrench) without any luck. So I decided to just get a new base plate and post and replace. I get the drill out and start unscrewing the screws and they won't come out, they just spin in place. I assume there is some sort of toggle on the underside holding the screw. So I tell myself, "I'll just retighten for the time being and figure something out later," except they won't retighten. :banghead Have any of you guys ever come across this problem? If so, what's the best approach as far as getting the screws/base plate out and replacing? I have new seats, posts and bases ready to install. Help!

Sounds like yours are bolted in and have nuts on the bottom side

What kinda boat, may have to make an access to them

Where are you located in Mississippi?

Look for a panel, seat base or anything else you can take off the reach underneath. You may need to take a pry bar and gently apply pressure between the base and the floor to get the threads or nuts to catch. Also turn slowly so the torgue doesn't get them spinning.

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Originally Posted by "G"

Sounds like yours are bolted in and have nuts on the bottom side

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Yes, what I kind of figured.

Rees Guide, it's a Seaark. Thanks yikes. I tried with a big screw driver prying up but it wouldn't budge short of warping the floor I went back out and looked in the battery compartment, and there is a small access panel behind trolling batteries, that I hadn't noticed before. I had called Seaark and left a message. They finally called me back after I had made this post. I have to work tonight, but I will be on the project asap tomorrow of trying to remove base plates and getting the new seats (5) installed. Wish me luck. Thanks for the responses guys.

Still havent found out where you reside in the state???????

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Originally Posted by satdoc1

Still havent found out where you reside in the state???????

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My apologies satdoc1. I live close to Arkabutla Lake.

Good luck with the seats and I like the reference to HeeHaw!!

If your replacing the base just grind the heads of the bolts off.

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Originally Posted by majflyboy

Good luck with the seats and I like the reference to HeeHaw!!

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Thank you sir!

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Originally Posted by Big C

If your replacing the base just grind the heads of the bolts off.

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They are recessed. I think I found a solution. I will look tomorrow. Thanks for the reply.

Good luck!

Man what a day! Hope you get it fixed

Big C, they are flat head bolts by what he's saying. That's what's on my boat, they are phillip heads I bet.
Stainless bolts and nuts are no good that close to the battery box after some age.
If you can get the bolts not to turn, use a 5/8" or 3/4" drill bit to remove the screw slot. The bolt shaft should be 1/4". You maybe about to remove the screw head without hurting the base.
Mix equal parts of auto transmission fluid (new or used) and acetone (real finger nail polish remover). Turn the base upside down and pour the mix into the hole in the base. Let sit for a couple of hours. Pour mix back into the container, save for another day. With the base sitting over an open space, use a punch to drive the post pin out.

drill em out--but you still got to get the new one's in:)

where at close to butla--I live close as well.

Canebreaker, you're right, flat head screws. I might be able to access from battery compartment. I will check it tomorrow. Kdavid1I am in Arkabutla....the big town...lol

If you can pry it up enough to get a sawzall in there, cut em off!!

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Originally Posted by Stone Creek

Canebreaker, you're right, flat head screws. I might be able to access from battery compartment. I will check it tomorrow. Kdavid1I am in Arkabutla....the big town...lol

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OK. In the town of butla. I got ya.

You need a third hand give me a call. As of now I'm free wednesday.

Thanks for all the tips and adviceon getting them out and offers to help, you don't know how much I appreciate that. I pulled the batteries out and found the access to the underside of base on front base. With an electric drill and phillips head bit on top and a wrench on the nut on the bottom, able to get both bases out. I got the front base replaced and now to drive out pin on back base and replace it, then I can install the new seats. I will get back on the project first thing in the a.m. Again I can't thank you guys enough for your tips and offers to help. It means alot to me. Good luck to all of you. Be safe out there.

If I helped in anyway I'm glad I could. Your welcome.
Hope to meet up with you on the water soon.