Boat pedestal questions

[gocards40]

Ok I have read previous post similar to this but no real answers given that help me.

First the ratings on the pedestals and bases are for driving speeds. Simple answers.

Second this is my idea and before I start nobody will be on the front or back deck of my boat in these pedestals while running any speed over 5 mph.

I am redoing my 17ft G3 and want to keep it as wide open as possible. Over the years being in other boats I have noticed how much room the driver, passenger and two fishing seats take up in a boat this size. But when you think about it you really only need two seats in a boat like this for driving and should be able to use those same two seats for pedestal mounts for fishing. So my idea is bases for the driver and passenger that are the same as the front and back deck. But the kicker is the driver and passenger seat bases and pedestal need to be rated for driving speeds of at least 40mph.

I know that there are boats out there setup similar to this that really only have two seats and pedestal bases mounted in several positions in the boat so that it does not take up space and this comes from factory so I know this can be done. Any thoughts?

 

[CBGale2]

Re: Boat pedestal questions

Whats the question? It can be done, so do it. Check out Springfield, tons of options to pick from. They have pedestals that are driver rated that come out of the floor sockets.

 

[gocards40]

Re: Boat pedestal questions

Whats the question? It can be done, so do it. Check out Springfield, tons of options to pick from. They have pedestals that are driver rated that come out of the floor sockets.

My question is how do I know they are rated for driving speeds? I am looking at the site rite now and don't seen anything about driver ratings.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Boat pedestal questions

From what I have seen, pedestal and boat manufacturers have changed their uses and ratings on pedestal seating. Older boats had all removable bases, but now I'm seeing the driver pedestal is a heavy duty fixed mount, I noticed that on several "new" boats I looked at. When I bought my seat HW I noticed some of the parts (pedestal & seat mount) said "below 5MPH" but they are the same parts used in the older boats for all seating positions. Check out these older pics from boats from something like 1995 to 2005, they are using "non-fixed" seat bases and pedestals for the driver position:

These older boats used all the same bases and pedestals, though I'm sure the driver has a locking seat mount to keep it facing forward.

When I put seat bases, pedestals and seat mounts in my boat I set it up like in the pictures and used locking seat mounts for the 2 front seats.... Even though some of the parts said "only under 5MPH". The same parts were used in my boat when it was new, so what gives? I think it's a liability thing and the manufacturers are covering their azz.

BTW, the only seat pedestals I saw that were rated for high speed had the pedestal fixed into the base. So you can't remove the pedestal to clean up the deck. [EDIT, I saw Springfield has some removable pedestals that are rated "A" rated, and luckily I'm using that adjustable one for the driver position in my boat.]

I have 8 seat bases on my 18'er and have used all of them at different times. When I go out by myself it's nice to only have 2 seats, driver and another that's easily movable. When I take the family out we use 4 seats, and the boat is more cramped with the loss of space. But, it's really versatile. 2 of the seats used are Springfield Hi-Lo seat mounts which can go in all 8 Hi-Lo seat basea, or on a pedestal. The other 2 seats have Springfield locking seat mounts which have to go on a pedestal. kind of limits their usage. I also have a 28" pedestal + butt rest for use while operating the trolling motor, this has been used the least.

(BTW, when I remove all the seats pedestals from the deck we can all sleep on the deck of the boat, that's why I wanted all removable seat pedestals.)

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Boat pedestal questions

This is what I'm talking about for a fixed mount pedestal, you can't remove the pedestal from the base.

Springfield marine has the ratings of their pedestal HW.

Class A
Seat designed for occupancy while the boat is underway at any speed.
Class B
Seat designed for occupancy only at boat speeds not exceeding five miles per hour.

http://www.springfieldgrp.com/Standards.htm

http://www.springfieldgrp.com/Removable_Pedestals.htm

 

[CBGale2]

Re: Boat pedestal questions

My question is how do I know they are rated for driving speeds? I am looking at the site rite now and don't seen anything about driver ratings.

Look at the removeable pedestals, any of their pieces show the rating on the far right of that graph. Plenty to pick from.

 

[CBGale2]

Re: Boat pedestal questions

http://www.springfieldgrp.com/Plug-In_2_38_3_PC_Pedestals.htm

These are what I used in my last boat.

 

[gocards40]

Re: Boat pedestal questions

I don't want the fixed mount. That will end of being more of a trip hazard and defeat the purpose of more floor space. So you used the Springfield Hi Lows for your driving seats also?

 

[gocards40]

Re: Boat pedestal questions

Thanks CBGale2! I think that is more what i was looking for.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Boat pedestal questions

So you used the Springfield Hi Lows for your driving seats also?

For the deck base yes, all of my deck bases are Hi-Lo's. The Hi-Lo bases can be used with a Hi-Lo seat mount only,,, or a pedestal and seat mount. I bought all Hi-Lo bases so all of the Hi-Lo seats could go anywhere in the boat and can be easily moved around. (When I go out by myself I take 1 Hi-Lo so I can move it around easily. I also take the driver "A" rated seat base/pedestal/mount)

While the family is onboard it's easier to have the 2 of the seats easily movable (Hi-Lo). If we are fishing we will use the Hi-Lo seats on pedestals, while underway the pedestals are not used and the seats go directly into the bases. I have 2 seat bases mounted 9" above the deck on storage lockers, so if we are motoring the seats are secure. You do not want Hi-Lo seat mounts on pedestals while motoring, they are too unstable for that. Hi-Lo seat mounts direct in the deck bases are stable though.

I originally bought 4 Hi-Lo seat sets and a couple extra bases, but then found that the Hi-Lo's were too unstable for the driver and passanger, so I replaced the driver and passanger seating positions with more secure pedestals and mounts. The back 2 seats are Hi-Lo and can be easily moved around the boat; deck, on the storage lockers, on the engine cover (I/O boat).

The Hi-Lo's are versatile, but they have their drawbacks.

I wished I had found the Springfield site (I linked to) when I was buying my seat HW as I now have extra seat HW that's not being used.... That's what I get for "impulse buying" at BPS

It really depends on how your boat is going to be setup. If all positions are going to use pedestals all the time, I wouldn't use Hi-Lo's.

(BTW, it's kind of a PITA removing/inserting a pedestal into the base, have to get it 100% aligned before inserting it and they are tough to pull out. Hi-Lo's are a cinch to move around, rock the seat back, align the pin in the base and rock the seat forward.)