boat seats

[airshot]

Having recently purchased a 16' aluminum fishing boat, the previous owner cautioned me about the seats comming out while trailering. I have the typical pedestal base with a pin on the seat bottom that slides into a hole on the pedestal... very common setup in most fishing boats from the factory, easy to lift up and move the seat from one area to the other. Prior owner stated he was always worried that they would fly out while traveling down the highway. Boat has always been stored indoors so not really interested in a cover. Is this true, do the seats fly out and has anyone came up with a way to keep the seats in place so they wont fly away??? Just seems odd that you have to remove the seats from the pedestal every time you travel...

 

[briangcc]

I have (2) pedestal seats in my current boat. I always trailer my boat covered. Here's why...

When I picked up my FourWinns, I was traveling on a local interstate around 60mph. Carpet was snapped down prior to leaving the marina - delivery day. Half way home, I see in the mirror the carpet whipping around on the floor about to come up. Again, carpet was snapped down prior to departure. I ended up pulling the carpet up and tossing it in the truck until I got home.

I have personally seen seat cushions go for unintended trips on uncovered trailered boats.

Could a pedestal seat test its aerodynamic properties during a tow? Possibly. Do I want the added cost of replacing it? Nope. Do I want the insurance claim against me when said seat pops up and hits the vehicle behind me? Nope.

Your mileage may vary and there are nay sayers about trailering a boat with a cover.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Personally, I don't tow my boat covered. If I had seats there were likely to go airborne, I think I'd just find a way to stow them, rather than hassling with a cover.

 

[BWR1953]

When I had my Bass Tracker, I always pulled the seats off, stowed the pedestals, then remounted the seats into the holes. Never had a problem that way.

 

[airshot]

Thanks for the replys....was hoping there was a simple trick I was missing. Guess I have to continue packing them up. I used boat covers for years and they are a great piece of mind !!! However on this boat, everything is stowed in lockers except these seats....also boat by myself often, which makes putting on a cover each time quite a hassle for one guy. Will keep thinking on this and mabey come up with an idea one day...thanks

 

[TyeeMan]

With all the 1000s of miles and 30 years of going up north, I have never seen a pedestal seat sitting on the side of the road. They do make locking pedestal seat/seat bases like what came with all my Lund boats I've owned. At the base of the pedestal there is a plastic tang that engages the pedestal base on the floor. If you really wanted to you could switch, but it would take a little work and some money for new pedestals and bases.

 

[BWR1953]

With all the 1000s of miles and 30 years of going up north, I have never seen a pedestal seat sitting on the side of the road. They do make locking pedestal seat/seat bases like what came with all my Lund boats I've owned. At the base of the pedestal there is a plastic tang that engages the pedestal base on the floor. If you really wanted to you could switch, but it would take a little work and some money for new pedestals and bases.

I think the OP is talking about a different type of seat/post. No tangs and whatnot.

More like these:




They're quite common on bass boats. Anglers often remove the seats completely in order to give more deck space. I did it all the time with my bass boats.

Like so:

 

[Scott Danforth]

Take seat off pedestal, put seat directly on base when trailering

Never had one come out of the basstracker over 30,000 miles of pulling the boats to fishing holes.

 

[TyeeMan]

I know exactly what the OP was talking about. I was merely suggesting that if he was that worried about he seats jumping ship during transit he could switch to a pedestal that locks in place.

 

[airshot]

The pedestal does lock into the base, then there is a shaft attached to the seat bottom that slips into the pedestal but there is no lock at this point. Makes it easy to move seats from one position to another. The pedestal can be unlocked and moved to other bases. The shaft under the seat is around 8" in length with a stiff spring to cushion your ride in rough water. Where this shaft enters the pedestal is the point where the seat could pop up and out. Just thought there might be a simple way to prevent this from comming apart during transit. Even a simple bungee strap might holdvthem down but no place to hook the strap !!

 

[airshot]

Take seat off pedestal, put seat directly on base when trailering

Never had one come out of the basstracker over 30,000 miles of pulling the boats to fishing holes.

Me either but the previous owner put that thought into my head....really hate to have to replace a seat or seats if they would come out. If no one has ever had one fly out, then I might be over thinking this. Mine is a side console so only one side has wind protection with a windshield