Helm Seat Hinge

[Russ]

My helm seat hinge finally broke completely off. It's been wobbly and one of the welds was broken. Now it came completely apart.
Fortunately, years ago when I first noticed it was failing I ordered a new one from BWY.
Because there is no access to the bolts under, they provide a plug so you can drill an access hole.

Those bolts are LONG and I could only turn the nuts 1/8 turn at a time. Took me quite a while to get them out. Couldn't turn the top with a Phillips because they were slightly bent and tightly secured in caulk.
To my surprise, Roger built this very well. Lots of caulk on the bolts but to my amazement, he used rubber O-Rings to seal the holes.

I wonder where else this construction technique was used. Knock on wood, I don't seem to have any real water leaks from the deck. Perhaps Roger did this for most thru deck fittings.

[kurz]

I had to remove the helm seat twice.

The hinge is OK, but the seat broke near the hinge.

Second time was, when I wanted to mount the seat somewhat higher, so the MercnOB can be stored better under the seat.

It was a real mess.

But it worked. I could put my whole arm inside trough the stoke opening to get the nuts. Then turn with the other hand outside...
Not funny at all!!