Question about swapping out my leaning post. 89 175 osprey

[Basketcase]

Hey guys. So I bought a Taco Neptune III leaning post to replace the stupid cooler seat thing. I noticed when I removed the cooler seat that it was using a machine thread screw which means that there must be some sort of insert under the deck! Fantastic news as long as I can use it with my new post. Does anyone know what it looks like under there? The new Taco is the same width as the base of the cooler seat so its possible that the spacing may be correct. What would be ideal is if it was an aluminum plate that I can drill and tap for machine screws. Any ideas? Is this insert factory? Thanks!

[Capt. Bob]

We seen these used before but I'm not sure for a T Top mount.




The infamous "Top Hat".

[Basketcase]

I wonder how the heck they would have gotten those in there? If that's what is in there I'm shocked that they came out. Usually those things just spin and spin. I despise T nuts! I hope that's not what's there and it's a plate of sorts. If I find out I'l let everyone know.

[clop52]

i'll be following your posts since i am looking at doing the same thing. When i took my seat off to get inside my fuel tank, the screws just came right off and then i put them back in when i was in between fuel tanks. I am not sure what is under there, but it might be the top hat pictured above. Once of them must have come off also, because of the screws will not re-catch and fasten.

[Basketcase]

Well. Im not a lot of help but I can say it's not the tophats. While drilling holes for the new post I did hit aluminum on two of the 16 holes. Before I drilled through I feel like it fell off. There isn't much of a plate there, but it's more than a t nut. The new post is in using 16 very aggressive screws and an obscene amount of 5200. The taco post offers so much more room in the boat and also a comfy place to sit and still be able to see over the console. You can actually walk by this thing without feeling like you're going overboard! I'll post some pics once I wash the floor. I can't let yall see myou boat so dirty. Lol.

[Basketcase]

Finally some pictures. I'm very happy  with the results. Much more usable space on deck and the isle is clear. Money and time well spent.

[RickK]

Looks like a good fit