Early Cobalt Seat Help Needed

[mtboatin]

My 1994 Cobalt 272 pedestal seats have no plastic bushing between the column and seat base. Pretty medieval working set up. Trying to determine if they originally had a bushing of some type in there and if so what type.

Also the main seat base that has the upholstery and cushions stapled to it is broken on both seats where the flip up bolster is mounted. Wondering if there is a replacement source that could be purchased. I have not contact Cobalt directly yet which is probably my next move.

 

[mtboatin]

My seat post OD is 2 7/8". Called Cobalt and they were able to give me an Attwood part number for the entire pedestal of 75513-30. Attwood has no record of that number. They recommend I call Garelick which they bought out several years ago thinking it could be one of theirs. Left messages but no further info.

Only other thing I can think of is replace the entire pedestal with new if parts are no longer available or start buying random bushings and see if I can make something work.

 

[mtboatin]

Update in case this helps others....
Found a stamping on the seat base. Found out it was Garelick. After talking to a couple reputable boat supply shops, Cobalt, Attwood, and Garelick I found out they no longer offer bushings. If a person had time on there hands they may be able to make something work. Garelicks first recommendation as a replacement was pretty basic unit which was an older unit they still make. This unit was as expensive as there newer units on the internet.

After much checking found out their 99026 is a direct swap. The best part is the bushings that come with them mount to the scored post by drilling and installing screws. So the bushing is mounted directly to the post and not rotating there. Also these have a nice pivot lock handle and because the bushing is notched it gives you setting for every 10 degrees. Direct bolt on and allows the use of existing worn post.

A shout out to Great Lakes Skipper for the cheap price and fast shipping!

Garelick Boat Swivel Seat Mount 99026 | 2 7/8 Inch Aluminum GLS Stock: 1078471	2	$99.90
Subtotal	$99.90
Shipping & Handling	$21.36
Grand Total	$121.26

 

[tpenfield]

Repairing/restoring older boats can be a challenge. Sounds like you ended up with a nice upgrade.

 

[mtboatin]

Here's what I had and what I will be replacing them with.

 

[Scott Danforth]

the bushing is just an injection molded sleeve.

Attwood purchased garelick a while back (I think 4 or 5 years ago) , sold off the upholstered seat side to TACO Metals and Patrick industries January of this years and kept the hardware side.

that swivel you show was a nice piece.

competitors of the ASG products (Garelick and Attwood) are springfield and TACO amongst a few others.

the spider pattern is universal

regarding your seat base, is it substrate (either PVC pro-board or starboard (HDPE)), roto-molded or other?

 

[mtboatin]

Scott, it's a roto-mold. Both seats are cracked where the bolsters hinge. I have done some research and found it to be a common problem even with some of the newer Cobalts. I plan on dissembling and taking a sheet of aluminum which I will cut to shape and drill, as a reinforcement, and install before the bases crack further. There's even a guy on the net selling a pre-made kit like this for later model seats.

 

[Scott Danforth]

The rotomold plastic lasts about 20 years max. Its a common problem with rotomolded seats.

 

[mtboatin]

The rotomold plastic lasts about 20 years max. Its a common problem with rotomolded seats.

Is there a replacement offered to match factory? The vinyl could be switched over? Looks like some screws and a lot of staples.