Proper sheeting to use for seat supports.

[reiddo1]

My Glastron Sea Fury 216 has console seats with aluminum bases mounted directly to the floor and pipes approximately 30 inches long between the base and the seat. In rough seas there can be considerable flexing of the seat/pipe/base arrangement and in order to cure that I intend to make a rectangular base about 18 inches high to serve as a pedestal for the base. Hopefully this will reduce the torque reaction since the pipe will be that much shorter. The constructed base pedestal will also provide under seat storage. If I use marine grade plywood, my inclination would be to fiberglass it for preservation purposes. Is there a material I can use for the rectangular base pedestal construction which will be as strong as the marine grade plywood but much better in water resistance and require only painting?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Proper sheeting to use for seat supports.

Is there a material I can use for the rectangular base pedestal construction which will be as strong as the marine grade plywood but much better in water resistance and require only painting?

You could use MDO plywood, it's very strong and water resistant. It's used for making outdoor signs, concrete form work, and marine applications.

Warning:

Penetrating your fiberglassed deck with fasteners such as screws will create possible entry points for water intrusion into your decking plywood and below deck structure.

You may want to consider an epoxy adhesive for fastening your bases to the deck instead of mechanical fasteners.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Proper sheeting to use for seat supports.

HDO and MDO plywood information:

http://www.plumcreek.com/Portals/0/downloads/productInfo/MDO.pdf