Am I the only one considering back to back vs pedistal seats?

[akorcovelos]

The captains chairs in my '84 Webbcraft Riviera 21' are shot, and I want to convert to back to back seats to add seating for a couple more friends. I'm only finding 10" base seats that are too low, and searching around everyone seems to want to go the other way from B2B to pedestal.

Why does everyone hate the B2B? I had them in previous boats and didn't mind them.

Is there a B2B sized to replace pedestals, or do I need to build a box taller than the standard 8" & 10" I'm finding?

Is there another option to add 2 more seats while keeping the pedestals?

This is my current layout for reference.

 

[mickyryan]

imho they take up too much room.

 

[ThomW]

Looking at your layout, it does seem like adding b2b's would really take up most of the open space you have in the boat. Also might make the room people have on the back bench seat tight. I would definitely look at the size of the B2B's you are thinking about and measure it out on the boat. Place a cardboard box or something in the boat to give you an idea of how it will feel with that space used up by a seat.

 

[briangcc]

IF it were me, I'd add (2) more pedestal chairs. To conserve space, I'd have them back to back with your existing pedestals. You loose the ability to swivel the pedestal chairs but you were going to loose that anyway switching to true B2B seating.

The plus side going this route is that you can make the second set of pedestals removable so you gain floor space when you don't need the extra seating by simply removing the seats & pedestals.

Otherwise, the B2B's were too low in my Bayliner and I was constantly finding things to sit on to boost me higher...and I'm 6'3"!

 

[JASinIL2006]

I like the suggestion to mock up something to see what the space would look like with B2B seats. I'd be concerned the rear-facing occupants would be knocking knees with those on the bench seat.

 

[Bayou Dave]

If there is enough room I would only put B2B on the port side. That leaves you with the room on the starboard to still put the cooler where it is in your pic.
That's how my old Rinker was set up.

 

[Redfred1]

I agree with the rest. It really depends on how you use the boat. If your primary use is fishing; the more space you have; the better off you are. I took my Bayliner 1700; stripped everything out; cut out the bases for the B2B's. The floor is completely flat. Put 2 pedestals up by the helm; the back we can use deck chairs. Still have the seats on each side of the splashwell.

 

[akorcovelos]

We mostly use the boat for water sports, and cruising. Very little fishing. I like the idea of putting a couple boxes there to get a feel for the space.

below is the seat I was looking at.

Do seats legally need to be attached to the boat, or can I put a cushion on a cooler like in DRS4164's photo?

 

[JBinVA]

I can't get over the cost of B2B's these days, then again everything "marine" has gotten expensive.

 

[Redfred1]

A couple of ice chests would probably give you an idea. Don't know about the legal thing; but I would want the seats secured down. (Can't imagine hitting a 2' swell at 25-30mph). You might like the open space.
Priced them with this W/S; Nope!

 

[Bayou Dave]

I have seen photos of pontoon boats with lawn chairs on them. Maybe it is legal, maybe not.

 

[hvymtl939]

I have seen photos of pontoon boats with lawn chairs on them. Maybe it is legal, maybe not.

That's what we did on ours until we built actual seats. The seats we built sit on rubber bases, and are not permanently attached to the floor.

 

[porscheguy]

B2B seats tend to be low and have no adjustments. They take up space and are seldom used. I’d leave the seating as is, and maybe purchase a few bean bags for the rare instance when you’ve got extra people.

 

[sphelps]

As mentioned B2B are really low but on a ski mostly boat you may want that . They do take up a lot of space .
If your at the helm you would probably gravitate to sitting on the seat backs with your feet in the seat .. idk

 

[chevymaher]

All the boats I been around had this kind of seats. I like them my self. Riding backward watching the wake behind the boat is relaxing.

 

[archbuilder]

Hot glue gun, and some cardboard mockups will tell you a lot. I don't think back to back will work with the room you have, but I am eyeballing it from one pic. If you are mainly doing water-sports, you might consider something like this. Sounds like more than what you are wanting to do, but maybe it might be a project for next winter? Of course a simple version, but there is a reason for this layout.

 

[Redfred1]

Five or six bodys in a boat; one ice chest; two sets of skis; one tube(?) Might work!

 

[akorcovelos]

Way late update on this, but I found another solution to the problem. I bought a bigger boat, lol.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Sweet!

 

[akorcovelos]

Thanks, we LOVE it. Too bad I'll be winterizing it in a couple weeks...