Re: Pedestals
You wouldn't think a seat post used incorrectly could be deadly . . . but it can be!
I think you might be confusing the use of "any" seat used on the front deck where many newer boats come with seat post hole mounted on that bow deck.
When I bought my rig it had a big yellow sticker across the deck mount and the casting mount over the gas tank. Said not to use the forward or rear seat mounts over trolling speeds. It's actually illegal in some states to let someone sit in those seat positions while moving over 5 mph.
It's not a "silly" rule. If the bow hit a wave that person would be ejected. That post does not lock in either. Yet, my Captain's post came as on piece bolted to the floor and bolted to the seat.
Even if you used that one piece one up front the person upfront could still be ejected. Last year on Lake Champlain we got back to the dock and 20 police cars were at the Ticonderoga launch. Come to find out the next day a young child was riding up front in a bass boat. His experienced uncle was moving along and the kid went over the front and killed by the prop.
A 9 inch pole is not high. But any post with a passenger in the front is a recipe for disaster on the bow deck over 5 mph.
I swapped out my stock posts for Springfield air ride ones. I use the 13-20 inch travel version. But in a deep v rig. They make the 22-29 version that you can use up front too or with those little back seat support type seats you see on bass boats. For anyone interested in upgrading, they can be found for $85 each and they really smooth out the bumps especially in small aluminum's. Iboats might price match on these too. I looked into one of those little seats to use upfront for trolling and casting . . Those little seats are ridiculously over priced
Description off a site on the air ride posts: This power pedestal gives you an air cushion ride and lets you adjust the height by the touch of the control lever (base not included). Available: 13-1/2" to 20" Standard Air Ride, 22-1/2" to 29-1/2" Pro-Style Stand-Up Air Ride.
So I think the description you read on 9 inch posts is the seller covering themselves if someone used it upfront or in that real high casting post hole like my boat has over the gas tank area.
And by the way. I see "idiot" Captain's allowing passengers or kids riding up there in the forward seat position or with kids upfront with their feet hanging off the bow while doing 40 mph flying around the lakes. Unfortunately, taking a boating course or needing a license to drive a boat in NY is not mandatory. It should be!
