Boat Seat Pedestals & Hardware

Boat Seat Pedestals & Hardware

Your boat seat starts on the deck. Practically every boat has one or more seats on it that require a mounting pedestal: fold down seats, pro seats, bucket seats, helm seats.

Seat pedestals are made up of a base, post and seat mount. Swivels, slides, and additional hardware can be added depending on the features you want. There are several styles and sizes of boat seat pedestals to keep you comfortable and safe while boating.

Seat pedestals have an ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council) rating to help you determine which pedestals are safe for various positions on your boat. Type B rated boat seats are designed for low speeds under 5mph. These are perfect for fishing seats. Type A rated seat pedestals are designed to be used at any speed. Type A pedestals are split into driver and passenger position groups. Seat pedestals with this rating are great for bucket and helm seats.

Seat Pedestal Identification

There are four large manufacturers of boat seat pedestals: Garelick, Springfield, Swivl-Eze and Wise. All of these aftermarket manufacturers also supply OEM hardware to boat builders.

Pedestal components from different manufacturers have different tolerances and should not be mixed as it typically voids any warranties. For example, if you have a Swivel-Eze post you should only use a Swivel-Eze seat mount.

Pedestal Size	Springfield	Swivl-Eze	Garelick	Wise	Notes
3/4" Pin	KingPin - Standard KingPin - Threaded	Lock'N-Pin - Standard Lock'N-Pin - Threaded		King Pin - Standard	This is the only size where some manufacturers say brands can be mixed. 3/4" pedestal bases and posts can be either standard or threaded. Threaded bases have a deeper cup under the plate that houses the female threads. The standard, non-threaded base is shorter and only holds the bushing.
1.77"	Spring-Lock has a stainless steel post with mechanical lock on the bottom of post that locks into the base. Used mostly on Ranger Bass Boats and other premium brand bass boats. Clip-Lock has an aluminum post with a bushing on the bottom that expands inside the base for the unintentional detachment. Spring & Clip-Lock parts interchange.	Snap-Lock Series features a larger locking clip with a metal insert that allows the posts to lock into bases for added safety. Just press the button to release.
2" & 2-3/8"	Taper-Lock, ideal for fishing boats, has been widely used by many top-name boat builders for years.	Wedge 2" & 2-3/8" bushing locks in with a tight, solid fit.			Bases between brands often appear identical. However, slight tolerance variations may produce an improper fit if brands are interchanged. The brand of the base can often be found stamped underneath.
2-3/8"	Thread-Lock Series offers a great retrofit to any boat where a seat is needed and you don’t want to go below deck. Low profile base with steady support. Plug-In Series is Springfield's most common system for aluminum pontoon boats. Permanent Pedestals such as the Clipper & Explorer.	Lakesport Series is available as both a removable and a permanent pedestal. 238 Series is available as both a removable and a permanent pedestal. Bases are interchangeable between these two series.		Permanent Pedestals	This size is typically used for freshwater boats. Permanent Pedestals are most often sold as a complete package (base, post & seat mount) If replacing just the seat mount, it should be the same brand as the rest of the pedestal.
2-7/8"	Permanent Pedestals such as the Mainstay. Plug-In Series is occasionally found in this size.	Seasport Series is a permanent bell pedestal.	Permanent Pedestals	Permanent Pedestals	This size is typically used for saltwater boats.
3-1/2"			Permanent Pedestals
4"			Permanent Pedestals

Boat Style Seat Pedestal Guide
Typical Pedestals & Seat Mount Brackets
	Seat Swivels - available as both non-locking and locking.
	Jon Boat Clamps
	Quick Disconnect Brackets
	Removable Pedestals - Either Pin or Post type pedestals, if you can remove the pedestal from the floor base plate then these are used for all types of fishing boats. They can either be fixed or adjustable height. Pro Seats always have a 22" pedestal height or greater.
	Black Steel Pedestals - These are inexpensive permanent mount seat pedestals.
	Permanent Mount Pedestals - Either as fixed height or adjustable, these pedestals have a permanent mounting to the boat floor. The seat can be removed, but not the pedestal itself. They may also include a seat slide.

Boat Styles

Basic Fishing Boat - Usually 2-4 boat seats depending on the layout of the boat

• Non-Locking & Locking Seat Swivels used on all folding boat seats
• Jon Boat Clamps typically used on these boats
• Quick Disconnect Brackets typically used on these boats
• Removable Pedestals typically used on these boats
• Black Steel Pedestals typically ONLY used on these boats
• Permanent Pedestals sometimes used on these boats

Typical Bass Boat - Driver, buddy & passenger seats as well as front & rear casting deck seats

• Removable Pedestals typically used on these boats for the front & rear casting deck seats

Typical Walleye Boat - 2-4 seats in the cockpit and may also have front casting deck seats

• Removable Pedestals typically used on these boats for the front & rear casting deck seats, and sometimes for the driver & passenger seats
• Permanent Pedestals used for the cockpit driver & passenger seats

Typical Fish N Ski Boat - Can contains driver & passenger seats (bucket seats), front casting seats, 2 rear folding fishing seats, rear casting deck seat and center bench seat

• Removable Pedestals typically used on these boats for the front & rear casting deck seats
• Permanent Pedestals used for the driver & passenger seats

Typical Runabout or Ski Boat - Contains driver & passenger seats. Newer boats have bucket seats. Older boats have lounge seats. Usually has 2 jump seats or a bench seat in the rear

• Permanent Pedestals used for the driver & passenger seats

Pontoon Boat - Has a driver bucket seat and may have other bucket seats, or fishing seats in the front and back

• Removable Pedestals used only with front and rear fishing seats
• Permanent Pedestals used for the driver seat and bucket seats in the front

Saltwater Boat - Driver seat can be a bucket seat, or a swingback seat, or a helm chair

• Locking Seat Swivels can be used on helm chairs
• Permanent Pedestals are used when the driver and passenger seats are bucket or helm chairs