Has anyone else had problems with tight seat pedestal bases?

[Jody Primeaux]

I've had a problem for last several years with my posts being stuck in the pedestal bases when trying to remove them. It's like the base material swells around the posts. I've tried routing the holes w/ a dowl and sand paper and sanding the post, but still have to use channel-locks or pipe wrench to push the release button and turn the posts. Anyone else had this problem or know of a solution? If changing to a different set-up, which is best? Taper-lock?

 

[Staci Matheis]

Oh, Yeah! It's a CONSTANT problem........



You're quite correct, the bushings inside the base swell. Only solution is to takea rasp file to them. Don't quoge them out too far - if you do, then the pedestal wobble.



Switching to a different type of base is a costly proposiiton.



A few years ago, I remebered seeing some inserts that would convert these bases to the 3/4" pin type..... I had seen them at both Wally World and in the BPS catalog - but they were no longer there. So I called Swivl-ease, the company that makes the bases....... The lady (and I use the term loosely) there told me they had them in stock; no one sold them so they were all returned. She said she would send them to me at $15 each plus shipping........ Whoa! $15 each? Distessed merchandise to fix a fault in YOUR bases and you're gonna charge me 15 buxs each? That's more than the $9 they sold for at the stores! I've already gone out and purchased 2 new Swivl-ease seat poles and seat mounts as it is! Now you're gonna charge me an outrageous amount to fix a problem in the design of your bases?....... "We're the only ones who have them!" she replied.



Now you all know what I think of the people at Swivl-ease.



me

 

[Staci Matheis]

P.S. I returned the Swivl-ease seat mounts and poles to the store and bought a $3 bargin bin rasp.

 

[Mark Hofman]

The 3/4 in pins bases on my boat are also very tight. I applied some Break Free lubricant, so they swivel just fine, but pulling the posts out (or the seats out of the posts) is a difficult proposition. I feel like I'm gonna rip the base out of the floor.



I wish I had a solution for you, JP, but I can certainly understand your frustration.



Mark

 

[Pierre Voisine]

I've made sure to white greese them once in awhile and never really had an issue!



Pierre

 

[Greg Meyer]

I too have been using white lithium grease (spray) and seem to have avoided base problems (three boats...all different bases)...so good luck...

 

[Roy Cody]

My son had the same problem on his '95 896. I has a fella at work machine two plugs from nylon like material and bore a 3/4 hole. He machined them so they would slide in loosely. My son switched to the pin type posts and is real happy with his setup now.

 

[Sam Elkins]

If anyone is interested you can purchase the base adapters at Northern Bass Supply, 1-800-227-7032, part #WM105 @ $5.95 ea. Converts a 1.77" base to accept a 3/4" ploe.

 

[Greg Meyer]

Sam....Thank you for that info...