high seating position in bowrider

[mgmarsh39]

Hi all,

So my friend and I took the boat out the other day on the Gulf and it was really choppy...

It beat the crap out of us and my lil' 04 bayilner. Basically both of the seat brackets for the 2 front seats snapped and landed us on the floor... Oh and my windshield popped out of place again :facepalm:

I fixed that permanently this time by putting a bolt all the way through the bracket. Basically the little screw holding it in place backed out on me and allowed the curved class to pop right out again.

Ok so, I went to a few boat supply stores and found the only 2 affordable seat pedestals I could find *didn't want to spend $100 bucks each for them*. They sit you 12" from the floor, and before there was only about 5ish". I like now how I can actually see over the windshield, but it looks a little silly. These also swivel which is nice.

I am just wondering what your thoughts are. I know I can order a 9" one, but I feel my vision would be cut off by the top of the windshield. I could probably take a hack saw to the pedestal and chop it down a few inches too.

edit:

I almost forgot... I removed the middle section of glass too. I feel like it is too much hassle to be opening and shutting it all the time when walking around and moving from place to place. Any recourse in doing so?

Anyway thanks for your input!

Matt

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

you can find seat pedestals just about any height you want on line at a good price.

 

[mgmarsh39]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

yeah I am aware of the interwebz, but I wanted them now .

I am just inquiring about people maybe having a high seating position in a bow rider. Is it odd, or silly, or a do not. Personal preference I'm sure, but I am new so I figure I should ask.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

I personally find it silly. I sat a little above the windshield in my last boat and wasn't a fan. I carefully tested to make sure I wouldn't end up like that with my new project and ended up with some pimp 8" pedestals with swivel and slide from greatlakesskipper.com

 

[mgmarsh39]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

ahh. 8" does that put you eye level with the windshield then? I have this one, well very similar, just 12inches. I mean I can hack some of the length out of it since its hollow tubing with a plug. I only paid 60 bucks for them.

http://greatlakesskipper.com/produc...nch-boat-seat-pedestal-w-swivel-and-lock.html

 

[Maclin]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

I think you should return those and go with as close to original height as you can (put the hacksaw down). My first reason is for resale value, so you do not have to explain why the seats look too high (or why it looks like you trimmed the pedestals with a hacksaw). Secondly, to me it the higher seats look silly on a boat with lower gunwales which I think your boat has.

12 inches is pretty tall. My boat has high gunwales and the seats are maybe 12 inches off the floor. As you can tell from my signature pic it is a cuddy cabin not a bowrider. I am 5"10 and can stand under the top, so you can see where I am going with this. The manufacturer of your boat put some safety and ergonomic engineering into the seat height for your exact boat build already, I would follow that first when replacing or fixing.

As for looking over the windshield, that is what seat bolsters are for, to put you higher up on the seat when needed (fold the bolster up).

 

[mgmarsh39]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

No bolster on my seat . Maybe I can buy one to fit? I have to stand in order to see over the windshield. I mean they were really really low. I am 6' 2" and I felt short.

yeah... I just wanted something now so I could use my boat asap. I hate waiting on ordered items... and paying huge shipping bills to expedite.

 

[Maclin]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

I came from the "long term value" and "don't look like a dork" angles, so, yeah, I can see your "position" as viable now.

You could also change out seats later to ones with bolsters as an upgrade. Have fun!

 

[Maclin]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

I was just thinking about that extra height and the extra leverage it willl put on the mounting, especially in bad water, so be careful out there, don't want to wreck your floor.

 

[mgmarsh39]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

might be the best option to do that later on for comfort reasons. Bayliner sure didn't go all out in the comfort department on these seats... lol

 

[mgmarsh39]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

I was just thinking about that extra height and the extra leverage it willl put on the mounting, especially in bad water, so be careful out there, don't want to wreck your floor.

Ah... good thought. I did think about that briefly. I havn't taken it out yet like this as I am still deciding what to do. I already put them in the boat, but I guess returning them wouldnt hurt. I just wanted to use it this weekend and no one has anything I need in stock.

The hacksaw is looking better and better....

Oh and since I removed that center walk-through glass will I have any problems with that? I can just bolt it back on if I need to. Its just a chore do deal with it.

 

[Maclin]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

I can't think of any reason that taking it out would make any difference. Just on a cooler day the breeze coming thru could be uncomfortable for passengers. But with the weather so far this year that may not be an issue until December...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

ahh. 8" does that put you eye level with the windshield then?

Check out my album here http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/?start=all towards the bottom are some pics with me or others sitting in the driver's seat and you can see the level. Darn near perfect if I do say so myself

 

[mgmarsh39]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

I can't think of any reason that taking it out would make any difference. Just on a cooler day the breeze coming thru could be uncomfortable for passengers. But with the weather so far this year that may not be an issue until December...

Ok good. Figured . yeah I am not too worried about being cold, in FL there is about a week of 30 degree weather and then its back to the 80's. I doubt well be on the boat then lol.

Check out my album here http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/?start=all towards the bottom are some pics with me or others sitting in the driver's seat and you can see the level. Darn near perfect if I do say so myself

Hmmm. your boat is a lot deeper than mine. I went ahead and ordered 6 and 1/2" pedestals. The oem bayliner ones are only 4" which is ridiculously low... the 2+ inches should be good for us

I hope these work, I am tired of bolting and un-bolting seat parts lol.

 

[marcoalza]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

I was just thinking about that extra height and the extra leverage it willl put on the mounting, especially in bad water, so be careful out there, don't want to wreck your floor.

I second that. I changed my seat post to 12 inch.
Not only did it look silly & feel silly, in a rough sea one day it almost ripped out of the floor.
I have since gone back to the original post.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=462613&p=3262588&viewfull=1#post3262588

 

[starcraftkid]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

On my Starchief, I put in an adjustable seat post, it can be raised up about 8" or so if I need to see over the top. I find that when running at night or in the river where I really need to keep an eye on the water ahead for debris, I need to see over the windshield and over the bow. Its tough to see forward when on plane if your sitting down low behind the windshield. I often find myself standing up to see where I'm going, especially when docking in a close quarters situation.

At over 6' tall and over 325lbs cast aluminum seat brackets are out of the question, I either use steel or fixed mount swivel bases. Those slide adjustable brackets will shatter every time.

When I replaced my deck I attached two large aluminum plates to the underside of the deck where my seats attach to prevent the pedestals from ripping out. I then attached the pedestals with stainless bolts and toggle nuts.

 

[mgmarsh39]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

great input. thanks guys! I think the 6.5" pedestals will work for us.

I think my only option at this time is the aluminum pedestals as I don't have the ability to go under my deck and install the plates etc.

 

[relocyo]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

Wait! Check wallyworld, I was just there and saw pedestals of multiple height, if I recall correctly theu had 1" thru 12" yes, a 6" and an 8" for like $15 a piece, and they seemed nice and sturdy, gonna pick up a cpl myself when the time comes. As for mounting them, in jays thread he glassed some glued wood to the deck and installed in the "sacrificial" wood, I think I will seal and then epoxy mine, think about it, cheap, easy, and when time to resale u can replacw with a more "stock" look... Good luck!

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

.....I can't think of any reason that taking it out would make any difference.

Well I sure can !!!

Just this past week the XO and I were fishing from our V-20 when a wind storm came out of nowhere and turned the James River into 3-4 foot swells with frequencies of less than three seconds. Even with our gull-winged bow we were taking water over the bow..the CLOSED center section diverted most of the water over the side. Just sayin'

 

[mgmarsh39]

Re: high seating position in bowrider

Wait! Check wallyworld, I was just there and saw pedestals of multiple height, if I recall correctly theu had 1" thru 12" yes, a 6" and an 8" for like $15 a piece, and they seemed nice and sturdy, gonna pick up a cpl myself when the time comes. As for mounting them, in jays thread he glassed some glued wood to the deck and installed in the "sacrificial" wood, I think I will seal and then epoxy mine, think about it, cheap, easy, and when time to resale u can replacw with a more "stock" look... Good luck!

really? walmart? the automotive section?

Well I sure can !!!

Just this past week the XO and I were fishing from our V-20 when a wind storm came out of nowhere and turned the James River into 3-4 foot swells with frequencies of less than three seconds. Even with our gull-winged bow we were taking water over the bow..the CLOSED center section diverted most of the water over the side. Just sayin'

Mine has an open bow so the water would come in regardless.