View Full Version : 87 Prostar Seat Base
kavants
03-14-2005, 06:45 PM
Okay, another newbie question....
My observer seat base has 2 holes cut out for speakers. These are not just holes but whoever cut them cut all the way to the floor. My question is, Since the seat base is part of the hull cap and not removeable, how can I get these fixed? Is the seat base structural (sp)? If not can I cut the base out? (I know it sounds desperate) And get the holes filled? It would also make carpet replacement easier, and then graft the base back in, the observer seat would cover all the seams and grafts.....
I know this sounds drastic, just considering options!
6ballsisall
03-14-2005, 06:48 PM
Got any pics you could show?
kavants
03-14-2005, 07:14 PM
I'll get some tonight, I really want to fix this, but don't know how!
Jim@BAWS
03-14-2005, 07:27 PM
It is possible that those holes where for HEATER OUTLETS vs. SPEAKER HOLES.Normally holes for speakers are on the combing pads. See BRIANEOD's thread about that. Best thing to do is place old speaker covers over the holes if they really are speaker holes
Jim@BAWS
Brent
03-14-2005, 08:13 PM
I've got the same thing & they are heating outlets & am missing 1 of the grills! Were can I pick up a heating grill too cover that hole? :confused:
AirJunky
03-14-2005, 08:18 PM
http://www.heatercraft.com/
or
http://www.skidim.com
kavants
03-14-2005, 08:45 PM
No definately speaker holes, I removed the old crusty speakers, and my boat doesn't have a heater.
kavants
03-14-2005, 10:14 PM
Here are some pics of the holes. They are really killing me!
BriEOD
03-14-2005, 11:20 PM
I'm pretty sure a good fiberglass shop could patch and fill that. Did you just buy that boat? If you did and you don't mind me asking, how much?
kavants
03-14-2005, 11:41 PM
Paid $5000. Mechanically sound, only 275 hrs. Just sat out and deteriorated. The guy had a lot of new stuff with it (stereo, speakers, spare parts, gear, etc.) He just didn't have time for the old girl anymore. I think he was in some sort of accident.
BriEOD
03-14-2005, 11:44 PM
Do you have anymore photos? Does it run, etc?
kavants
03-15-2005, 08:28 AM
Yeah, It runs fine. All mechanical/electrical systems are in good shape. I don't have anymore pics yet. The day after I bought her I started a plant outage at work and have not seen the light of day in 3 weeks! Have only been able to go out at night at look at the work to be done...
Ski-A-Rees
03-15-2005, 10:27 AM
My 89 had those holes, and i thought the same thing when I bought it. After looking around I found that vents that fit the hole's and the pipeing up in the tip of the hull, that might have once been connected to a heater or vent. Both of mine were at the feet of the observer seat instead of the way your vents are.
kavants
03-15-2005, 11:10 AM
Does anyone else have these holes? How about pictures of the vents? The guy before me did have speakers in them. There is no evidence of any vent hoses or anything? If they are vent holes where can I get the covers?
east tx skier
03-15-2005, 11:22 AM
I guess I don't understand why you can just unscrew it and pull it out for repair. You mentioned you thought it was structural. I've got a different boat, so I'm not real clear on why you think that. Sorry for being dense, I just want to get a better idea as to what you're talking about.
kavants
03-15-2005, 12:27 PM
The seat base doesn't come out. It's looks to me like its part of the cap. So I would have to split the boat to get it out!
I would bet its a structural piece in only that it may provide some support for the dash. However, there should be a structural beam under the dash about 8 inches in that runs across the bow that takes most of the stress (has the stern light hangers on it). The seat base really just holds up the seat. The holes shouldn't be a problem, except for they're kind of ugly.
east tx skier
03-15-2005, 12:44 PM
The cap? I'll take your word for it, but when people recarpet, they typically remove the seats, or so I was led to believe.
BriEOD
03-15-2005, 12:50 PM
The problem is you cannot take that piece out. It is all one piece and attaches to the dash and bow. You can take the screws out and pick it up a little bit to put down new carpet. But, short of cutting something it is permanent. Here is mine and it is also an 87.
BriEOD
03-15-2005, 12:51 PM
Another view...
AirJunky
03-15-2005, 12:51 PM
I have the holes in a '94 205, but the seat base is different in that it just screws down to the floor & not glassed in like the earlier boats. Mine has heater vents from Heatercraft in them, in virtually the same places too. But I'm not sure if their the same diameter or not & I don't have any pics of them right now.
If fliberglass work isn't in your bag of tricks or your budget, you could cover the holes with just about anything, speaker grills, a square piece of FRP (available at Home Depot), etc. It's not a really structural part of the boat other than it holds up your spotter's seat.
kavants
03-15-2005, 12:53 PM
Thanks for the better picks BriEOD, nice 87 by the way. Hope to get mine that nice. But how do I fix the holes? Can a fiberglass shop fix them in place?
east tx skier
03-15-2005, 01:08 PM
Ah, I see. By the way, Brian, your boat looks spotless as always. Does the observer seat on the late 80s boats snap into place or is it hinged? I'm not blind, I promise. They sure look like snaps.
BriEOD
03-15-2005, 01:11 PM
Actually Doug their are 3 pieces to the obsevers seat. One part snaps in and is kind of a 90 degree angle that merries up with the gunnel piece. Than the 2nd piece (the back rest) screws in and it on hinges so it can be lifted up. The third piece (the seat) fits in the hole and has 1x4's that hold the seat in place without screws. So, one piece snaps in, one screws in and the last just rests in place. Clear as mud, right?
kavants
03-15-2005, 01:16 PM
AirJunky, What is FRP? Can you get some pics of your vents, if it's convenient?
BriEOD
03-15-2005, 03:00 PM
You could get some aluminum or marine plywood and cut something out to fit and run a strap/strip behind and screw it to hold in plance. Then have the bottom of that seat base and your engine box sprayed with Rhino Liner/Line-x/Lava Liner. I bet you could do all that for under $150 bucks. You wouldn't see the screws or metal. Plus that stuff is durable. Have them spray your rubber dash while they are at it. It would be cheaper than the fiberglass route and you would never know it was there.
east tx skier
03-15-2005, 03:23 PM
Actually Doug their are 3 pieces to the obsevers seat. One part snaps in and is kind of a 90 degree angle that merries up with the gunnel piece. Than the 2nd piece (the back rest) screws in and it on hinges so it can be lifted up. The third piece (the seat) fits in the hole and has 1x4's that hold the seat in place without screws. So, one piece snaps in, one screws in and the last just rests in place. Clear as mud, right?
That's funny. I used "clear as mud" in an email to someone today. I'm having trouble visualizing. If you'd like to take pictures, I'd be glad to look. Just curious.
AirJunky
03-15-2005, 04:24 PM
FRP is fiberglass reinforced plastic. The stuff at Home Depot is white, smooth on one side, about 3/16" thick, pretty durable & totally waterproof. It's the stuff they make shower stalls out of.
I'll get some pics of mine tonite.
6ballsisall
03-15-2005, 04:36 PM
Yep, just used it in my boat for the side panels. 4 x 8' sheet at Lowes was $9.
AirJunky
03-15-2005, 10:26 PM
OK, remember, these are similar holes in a similar location, but on a '94 boat. I had Heatercraft put together a slightly modded heater. Has a double wide core, 2 fans, 2 snorkels, & 3 vents. What you see here are the 2 snorkels. The one on the left is 6' long so you can pull it all the way back to the back seat.
Viola! Heat for 5!