Replacing fishing seats with lounge seats

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jesters09
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Replacing fishing seats with lounge seats

#1 Post by jesters09 » Fri Mar 18, 2016 12:26 pm

I just bought my first pontoon (2006 suntracker) and am interested in taking out the fishing seats and replacing with lounge seats. The floorplates for the fishing chairs are under carpeting so I am going to have to cut the carpet in this area in order to unscrew the plates. Does anyone have suggestions how I car repair this after I take the fishing seats out so it doesn't look so bad?

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teecro
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Location: Sunset Bay, TN

Re: Replacing fishing seats with lounge seats

#2 Post by teecro » Fri Mar 18, 2016 3:17 pm

Make some round plates out of marine quality 3/4" plywood that is bigger than the area you will have to cut. Router (or round) over the edges, sand and paint (or varnish) these round plates and then screw them down to your deck with stainless steel screws and finishing washers. You could also get a local machine shop to make these out of 1/4" thick alum plate.
T CRO
2017 Berkshire CTS 24 RFX with Yamaha F150/Simomized 200
2015 Caravelle 16 EBo with Mercury 90

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mpilot
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Re: Replacing fishing seats with lounge seats

#3 Post by mpilot » Sat Mar 19, 2016 2:58 pm

jesters09 wrote:I just bought my first pontoon (2006 suntracker) and am interested in taking out the fishing seats and replacing with lounge seats. The floorplates for the fishing chairs are under carpeting so I am going to have to cut the carpet in this area in order to unscrew the plates. Does anyone have suggestions how I car repair this after I take the fishing seats out so it doesn't look so bad?
Why not just put two nice reclining helm chairs on the bases? A lot of newer high end boats at the boat show had that type layout. Makes for a great conversation area when parked.

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teecro
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Re: Replacing fishing seats with lounge seats

#4 Post by teecro » Sat Mar 19, 2016 3:36 pm

mpilot wrote:
jesters09 wrote:I just bought my first pontoon (2006 suntracker) and am interested in taking out the fishing seats and replacing with lounge seats. The floorplates for the fishing chairs are under carpeting so I am going to have to cut the carpet in this area in order to unscrew the plates. Does anyone have suggestions how I car repair this after I take the fishing seats out so it doesn't look so bad?
Why not just put two nice reclining helm chairs on the bases? A lot of newer high end boats at the boat show had that type layout. Makes for a great conversation area when parked.
I took it that was the direction he was going fishing seats >>> lounge seats and that the fishing seats used a base that was incompatible with the lounge seats as well as helm seats too...
T CRO
2017 Berkshire CTS 24 RFX with Yamaha F150/Simomized 200
2015 Caravelle 16 EBo with Mercury 90

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mpilot
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Location: Lake Murray, SC

Re: Replacing fishing seats with lounge seats

#5 Post by mpilot » Sat Mar 19, 2016 5:57 pm

teecro wrote:
mpilot wrote:
jesters09 wrote:I just bought my first pontoon (2006 suntracker) and am interested in taking out the fishing seats and replacing with lounge seats. The floorplates for the fishing chairs are under carpeting so I am going to have to cut the carpet in this area in order to unscrew the plates. Does anyone have suggestions how I car repair this after I take the fishing seats out so it doesn't look so bad?
Why not just put two nice reclining helm chairs on the bases? A lot of newer high end boats at the boat show had that type layout. Makes for a great conversation area when parked.
I took it that was the direction he was going fishing seats >>> lounge seats and that the fishing seats used a base that was incompatible with the lounge seats as well as helm seats too...
Unless it's an oddball it should be compatible. Seat bases are fairly universal and adaptable. A good set of reclining helms will probably run 500-1000 for the pair. Try going to a boat dealership though and see if they've done any swap outs on warranty work as they will sell them cheap and sometimes it's as little as one or two stiches ripping. Know a guy that got two bennigton high back recliners for 500 for the pair and retail those are more than that for each seat.

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teecro
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Re: Replacing fishing seats with lounge seats

#6 Post by teecro » Sat Mar 19, 2016 6:14 pm

mpilot wrote:... Unless it's an oddball it should be compatible. Seat bases are fairly universal and adaptable. A good set of reclining helms will probably run 500-1000 for the pair. Try going to a boat dealership though and see if they've done any swap outs on warranty work as they will sell them cheap and sometimes it's as little as one or two stiches ripping. Know a guy that got two bennigton high back recliners for 500 for the pair and retail those are more than that for each seat.
Yup your right they are fairly compatible but there is 3 different sizes out there... 3/4" Pin as used on Bass Boats, 1.77" Pin and the very common 2.375" as found on many/most boats. Most seats use a 5" x 5" or 12" mounting pattern and with a little effort there is not much you can't work around... Look at www.greatlakesskipper.com for tons and tons of factory boat parts of all types and brands...
T CRO
2017 Berkshire CTS 24 RFX with Yamaha F150/Simomized 200
2015 Caravelle 16 EBo with Mercury 90

builderguy
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Re: Replacing fishing seats with lounge seats

#7 Post by builderguy » Sun Mar 20, 2016 2:53 pm

Here is an option. If your front fishing seats are like mine, the base plate is 7" square. It is about 9 1/4" across the diagonal. If you get a Springfield boat seat base, the diameter is called 9". I think mine actually measure 8 7/8".

Carefully cut out the carpet, at a diagonal, across the existin square base. Don't completely remove the carpet. Just peel back the carpet, remove the screws, and then pull out the base. With a little glue, you can replace the carpet. Get a couple Springfield bases and install them over the exsiting locations. They will almost cover. If you glue the carpet back down, I'll bet you will be the only one that knows. (I just bought another one from Bill, in Salem. $70.00 shipped. Base, large diameter post, and mount for the seat.)

Pontoon Stuff is going to carry a reclining, high back seat, with armrests. I think they are availiable for pre-order. Shipping in May.
http://www.pontoonstuff.com/collections ... tain-chair

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