Bolster Foot rest again.....
 

I plan on heading over to the boat this weekend to install a few items I've purchased over the past few months. One item is a set of stainless foot rest that go in front of the bolsters. I had planned on removing the speakers so that I could get my hand in behind the gunwalls to through bolt them on. The only one I'm not sure of if where the drivers side will bolt on below the dash. Not sure if I will be able to get behind that area. Question is did PQ through bolt these on or simply screw them on with a wood type screw??? Or has anyone else installed them and what did you do?

Thanks

Re: Bolster Foot rest again.....
 

You will need to thru-bolt these in order for them to not sag or be pulled out of the liner. It's been awhile since I've been in a 260 but if memory serves I thought I could gain access for the port foot rest through the "closet" in the cabin (I at one time came close to buying a '99 260 that had no foot rests and was figuring out how to install them). Can't remember what I had figured out for the starboard side. Is there any access for behind the dash from the cabin?

Re: Bolster Foot rest again.....
 

No access that I can recall. I can go through the dash but that will require some long arms.

Re: Bolster Foot rest again.....
 

FF, if you remove the screws on the rollers that hold your cabin door to the track (on top of the door), you can remove the cabin door and then get access behind the helm to install the footrest and YES you want to bolt them - don't use screws. As stated, the ones on the port side can be accessed through the closet.




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Re: Bolster Foot rest again.....
 

Silverado, Thanks for the info on the door removal. Thats what I'll be doing.

Re: Bolster Foot rest again.....
 

I spent 6 1/2 years building PQ's and occasionally we had to add items like that per dealer/customer request after the boat was completed or nearly complete. Hope the footrest install goes well.




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Re: Bolster Foot rest again.....
 

Did you use large stainless fender washers and nylon locking nuts or do you have to back the area with some plywood or other material? My guess is fender washers are good enough.

Re: Bolster Foot rest again.....
 

I had already bought large 2" dia fender washers to use as a backer plate.

Re: Bolster Foot rest again.....
 

We used to put a piece of marine plywood about 8" X 8" behind the fiberglass where the footrest mounted for re-enforcment so the nylock nuts and washers wouldn't pull through or cause any stress cracks in the gelcoat. I suppose washers alone would work, but I would recommend trying to put some plywood behind the footrest. The area where the footrests go don't have any balsa wood between the layers of fiberglass, so with enough force the nuts and wahers alone MAY pull through. We used to "putty" the plywood on to hold it in place while the holes were being drilled.



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Thanks for the tip. I had re-thought what I was going to do after visiting the boat yesterday. And using plywood or a large aluminum backer is a good idea.