Factory Leaning Post, The Good/Bad/Ugly

[MolarBoater]

I had the "factory" leaning post installed during my warranty "crack" repair and thought I would give those thinking of adding this leaning post a few thoughts. The factory post has a whale tail and four rocket launchers and is big enough for a 70 qt marine ice chest. I really like the overall design. OK, here's the , BUT, it is the poorest job at quality/finish I have seen...but defenitly not out of Triumph's past acceptable specs. I had to redrill the backrest screws since someone missed the line up measurements by @1/2 inch so they just crossthreaded them in half way crooked. Second, they didn't match the red trim to my other cushions on the 2002 scheme although they said they were "custom" making the cushions for my 2002. Third, the welds in general stink. The foot rest rail appears to be a little too wide so they just filled in the "gaps" at leat 1/2" on each side and left them protruding and sharp....great for opening up a leg wound. The rocket launchers had incomplete welds but may be adequate for their purpose.
I really like the overall design, height, firmness of seat and comfort verses the cooler seat it replaced. A little fine tuning with a drill, locktite, and a hand file will correct the slop. If I would have been the person picking up the boat from the shop, I would have complained. You pay top dollar for a leaning post, you expect welds better than amateur at best. If you have the opportunity to see the product prior to purchase, don't accept this sloppiness, Triumph should never allow the poor workmanship from whomever they pay to make their leaning posts. On second thought, the factory T-top failures make sense if the same folks are making their leaning posts. Go custom.

[foul-hooked]

Molar
Before I had my T-top and lean-post fabricated, I checked Triumphs factory prices. The factory price + shipping + installation, is well over the cost of custom made.
Sorry to hear Triumph stands behind such products.
You would think they would want a good reputation in the boating industry.

foul hooked

[Wanabe]

I ordered my '04 Bay with the leaning post. Mine was made with a little more pride. Welds are better than good, no sharp edges and no off centered holes. The only complaint is that the seatback eats up 2 rod holders, leaving me with two, but for $100 I bought two Tigress vertical mount aluminium rod holders that mount on my seatback posts giving me my rod holders back...
Another option would be nice if you could have storage under the seat for tackle...I think, if I had a cooler/seat and was looking to replace it with a leaning post I would get this Taco product at Boatersworld...Here's the link:
http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/w...uctId=13118663

L8r
Paul

[Putershark]

Yes Paul,

I like that one you found (nice unit for sure) and the one I had made for our old 210 had such storage and also flipped forward for full and easy access to the 210's baitwell which was also a real nice feature.

Now I have been looking for a logical way to add more storage to the underside my factory leaning post that can stand up to salt water spray. You know like a place to drop my wallet and keys and the such like. Now since I have tilt steering (which pushed our helm further back) I had to have ours moved back so I could get in the correct standing position and not get squeezed much less thumped by the steering knob when digging back out of a hard turn.

Now of all the boat shows I have been to secure (steal) ideas for mine Hydra Sports makes one of the best leaning posts on their Bay Bolt series of rides and the angle of attack on the cushion I think is the key.



Which is very supportive and maybe one day I will retrofit one from them onto ours.. In the mean time I think I have found the correct running position, but really wish I could find a way to mount our present one on sliders much like your truck seat, so I could really get it at the right spot or be able to bring it back forward some to make it easier to set down on it and still run at full speed

[MolarBoater]

BassProShops has a nice top of the line now with storage....cheaper than Triumph factory. Maybe less pride is taken on aftermarket jobs than showroom quality work having to help sell a boat.

[Wanabe]

Putershark,
I've been toying with the idea of adding some kind of tackle storage to the underside of my factory leaning post. It's sort of waisted space, except for the cooler and tackle box on the floor, but even with that stuff on the floor there should be enough room left to mount just under the seat. Haven't got the mesurements all worked out yet, but I can see some potential there...

I know what you mean about where to put your wallet and keys. I personally think that the glove box is useless. It's been installed at the wrong angle. I do use it for the keys, wallet, cell phone and scupper plugs; I just open it very carefully not to loose everything on the floor...

Molarboater,
I think it's the same as the Boatersworld leaning post...
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catal...=SearchResults

[Putershark]

Wanabe,
I agree 100%, that console glove box is not a very good design at all. I was thinking of adding a small strip of starboard as a lip just behind the door to help hold stuff in for I too am getting also tired of everything always falling out

Who knows, I may just cut out both boxes on the console (if possible now that I have moved both ship service batteries in there) and install something else in their place... The leaning post idea though is something I want to look into here soon. My thinking is to run over to Lowe’s and Home Depot to secure (steal ) some ideas. Maybe buy a small plastic (no rust) tool box or Plano tackle box for that matter and hit it with a saber saw to give me some drawers to mount (screw into) to the bottom the leaning post for my wallet, keys, who knows, maybe even some tackle pending on space requirements.

So LET ME KNOW what you cook up and I will do the same and post some pictures (which I am way behind on for what I have already done, sorry guys) here on the “Triumph Boat Owners Think Tank” web page. Here is a link to another site that may help give you some ideas that I just used on another posting that may help you also J

http://www.spacemkr.com/

Thanks again!
Dave

[MolarBoater]

Wanabe, check out the $850 leaning post at Bass Pro. Gotta cough up a little more for back rest but less than Neptune. Puter, how about an electronics box, like the Todd small? Or,get some Taco marine lumber and use the plastic welder to fab your own custom job.....it is within our reach now. Suppose to be 90% as strong as mold strength at the welds.

[Wanabe]

Putershark,

Great site with many good ideas. I would like to fully enclose the underside of the leaning post, but I bet the ones on this site weigh in quite heavy. Mostly looking for tackle storage (plano style containers). As soon as I get the cover off my boat, I'll take some pictures and start seriously considering my options.

I too have some mods that I did last season and have yet to take pictures and post ...

TTYL
Paul

[Putershark]

Molar,
Todd Small Box.... Now I may have to look at that puppy and see how it would work, thanks for the idea

Paul,

I agree though nice having it all enclosed would be nice, but I too am looking to save on overall weight. For the less weight, the less draft for sure Matter of fact, I pretty much only keep half a tank (or less) of fuel in the boat to help keep her light besides, it takes less fuel to move the lighter weight and at 2 plus bucks a gallon that equates to a direct saving at the pump.

Thanks guys keep posting all your great ideas!

Dave