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I have a 1981 17' Striper. I wish to repace the stock cooler seat with one that has a folding backrest. Do I need any stronger attachment than screws to the deck? Is there plywood under the deck to screw to?

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Boston Whaler makes cooler hooks for igloo coolers. I don't know if they would work on the new cooler that has a backrest.

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If I am not mistaken you are contemplating removing the cooler seat and replacing with what we call the Reversible Pilot Seat or RPS. Is that correct?

The RPS needs no additional reinforcement in the floor. The floor has 1/2" plywood under most of it. You can download the Wood Locating Diagram for your hull from the Downloads Section of Whaler Central.

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Yes, Tom, I am thinking of a less expensive Todd or Wise cooler w/backrest or the like than the expensive Whaler RPS model which may be taller than necessary for the low seating position of the Striper. Has anyone tried one of these seats?

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When picking out the cooler seat watch out for how high the seat is lifted off the deck. I installed a 94 qt. cooler seat on my Revenge. It originally came off a Proline boat. The cooler sits inside stainless framework that left the bottom of the cooler few inches off the deck. With a new seat cushion it was an uncomfortable ride. Not quite tall enough as a leaning post, too tall for the sitting to feel comfortable (most of us are 5'8" shorties). I was able to cut a little off the bottom to make it reasonably comfortable but part of the seat fits over my fish locker so I still had to leave it high for access.
gchuba

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I think you will find the Whaler RPS is the perfect height for the Striper 17. Whaler used this seat on both the Katama and Newport models that also have a low side console.

You can install a Todd or other aftermarket seat but it will require more screws holes in your hull, will be less attractive and will diminish the value of your boat.

The added cost of a true Whaler RPS will be compensated by a higher resale vale and a better looking and better functioning boat.

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You see that Tom. I start going with aftermarket, or garage sale specials, and Whaler original works correct the first time.
gchuba

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Holy Cow! I just did a little googling to refresh my memory of the Todd and Wise swing back cooler seats.

A. The seat cushion is not any lower than a Whaler RPS

B. They will cost you at least $400 which get you, or put you well on your to finding, a good used Whaler RPS

C. They are UGG-UH-LEE!

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Yes they are ugly. It seems to me that is usually what keeps a whaler on Craigslist for months. Those seats are hard to look at.