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tom... i have yet to talk to a dealer, i was hoping to find something online, but its starting to look like that might be my only option.
phil... thanks for the info
im probably going to cut the styrofoam out and see what im dealing with. i've been trying to find a decent picture online of what the seat looks like when properly assembled and in use. i believe the seat slides into/under swim platform, which makes me wonder why/when the close out panel is actually necessary or used