Pontoon Seating Reviews

[surveywaters]

I am in the process of purchasing new seating for my 1999 24' American Raven. I have found it very difficult to find long term testimonial on the brands I am looking at. Anyone out there with aftermarket seating who has had it for more than a few years please let us all know how it's holding up; good or bad. I think that this thread could help many folks in my situation. Currently I am considering Deckmate (pontoonstuff.com), Wise (Sportsman's Guide), and Veada.

From my searches, Wise seems to have a problem with mold. I have seen nothing bad yet about Deckmate. Veada is higher end and used for OEM seating in Bennington's.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Pontoon Seating Reviews

All of them will mold thats because people don't take ventilation into consideration. As for a brand and the rest that depends on how much you want to spend vs the end result you want.

 

[surveywaters]

Re: Pontoon Seating Reviews

What do you mean ventilation? If you refer here to boat covers, I have seen uncovered golf cart seats molding. Or are you speaking of the brass vent rivets on the cushions themselves?

For price, the three brands I listed range from $2200-$3200 for a set. I am looking to spend a fair price without wasting any of that cash on the brand name. So I am hoping to hear some long term experiences or first hand testimonial. The Deckmate are fairly new (2012), but the materials they claimto use are high quality and the price is the middle of the road. This is where I am currently leaning. The Veada has a 5-8 week wait on orders, this is a big negative.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Pontoon Seating Reviews

If a seat gets wet and is covered it will mold period, if a mooring cover touches a seat it will mold, the mold grows in the vinyl and not on top but in and under. If you leave the seats uncovered the sun will fry them in a short period of time a year or two. If you use a sealent, it causes them to dry out and crack, If you use a protectent it helps a lot and will extend their life. a limited amount of sun and air movement if your friend but to much kills seats. Seats run from 1000 to 5000 a set depending on what you get. Personally I just replaced mine and went with the plastic boxes and frames, wood will get wet and add weight and rot eventual, I went with a set from Wise, I have had very good service from them and those have lasted for years if cared for and all of them have to be cared for from the cheapest to the most expensive.

Its a some what complicated problem and a lot is totally determinant by how a boat is maintained. People who never cover a boat are amazed a few years later that their top of the line seating is trashed and others with the cheapest last for ever. As far as any one brand I think its a matter of taste and choice. I just dropped around 3000 into a new set but I had 2 of them custom made to suit my needs. The factory made back bench seat is all plastic so It will be a lot simpler to just have it recovered net time. In this case Wise will sell you the vinyls with the striping and so on by the yard.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Pontoon Seating Reviews

I would go with the Wise seats. They are well know and have been around quite a while, unlike Deckmate seats, and have good customer service after the sale. iboats carries a good selection, as do other retailers who also stand behind the sale. Like was said though, care is the key to longevity of any seat..

Pontoon Seats & Furniture - iboats

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Pontoon Seating Reviews

Wise has top service after the sale, in fact their service is amazing.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Pontoon Seating Reviews

PontoonStuff.com has a really good following on PontoonForums.com. They specialize in seating, and do a very good job. Their seats are of high quality, and the level of service is excellent.

And they offer a 10% discount if you mention you're a member of the forum. Look closely at the website and you can find their PIN # to get the discount.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Pontoon Seating Reviews

Veada sells to the pulic and the make the furniture for Bennnington and a few other pontoon places, you will pay for it but they are probably the best there is.

They are a actually Stuery boats and they just stopped making the boat and concentrated on the furniture.


Just Google Veada

 

[TurboM700]

Re: Pontoon Seating Reviews

I went with these guys for my pontoon. I have nothing bad to say about them and they are very well made seats. I looked a Wise and Pontoon.com seats and they all seemed cheaply made.
American Soft Trim | Marine Upholstery & Accessories

I have had these for 1yr and at times the boat is cover when wet and have had no mold issues. I use some 303 before or after each use and they clean up great. Keep in mind my boat has a cover on it when not in use.
What you see here cost me 3200 shipped to my house. You can go cheaper as I went with 3 lay backs and one seat that was custom made.