Movable Gate Seat??

[Pat]

Hey guys - as we near the finish line with our boat build, I've found out about something I think I want. A gate seat. In case you were like me and didn't know what it is, it's basically about a 30" wide section/module of seating that's not screwed to the deck. On boats with front & rear gates on the centerline of the boat, the seat can be moved to the front or the back to complete a "U" shaped seating pit wherever it's placed. If you need both gates to be open & available, it can be moved amidships by the side gate. It really enhances the configuration of the boat and adds some more storage.

I digress: My buddy with a Berkshire Xcursion with all the bells and whistles shows me his build sheet and his dealer charged him $375 for the seat when he ordered the boat. Our Sylvan has been built, delivered to the dealer and is in town at the custom canvas shop getting some additions done. I ask my dealer if we could get one of these seats ordered then just let it ride in the next batch of boats headed to Denver. They came back with a price of over $900.00. I work in manufacturing and $900 bones seems a little heavy for a $7 rotomolded base, $20 worth of hardware and $150 worth of foam and upholstery.

Has anyone else added this option to their boat and, if so, what did you pay for it? I'm willing to learn if I'm just a cheap old fart.

[CapKaz]

Pat,
I have been seriously thinking of taking the one we ordered with our Bennington off of the shelf in our boat barn and sitting it next to my work bench so I have a super comfortable chair to sit in when I'm not on the water. It would be a great place to go when I'm in the dog house, or when I just want to admire the Benny. Hasn't seen any actual water time. )
Kevon

PS: I grew up in Hayden, CO

[Pat]

Thanks Kevon. If it wasn't so likely to be a color mismatch, I'd probably make an offer for yours. Hayden is a pretty spot.

Pat

[Bryden24shp]

I've had front gate seats in 2 boats now. Only used them a few times in one boat. Otherwise they sat in my shed. Nice if you have to have an extra seat. My last boat only had a front gate, no side, so it was hard to get the kids in because they had to climb over the seat. So it was never used.

[Rick McC.]

That's a great point. How often are you going to really "need" that much seating?

[mrlouis]

Hi Pat,
the $375 your buddy paid was a steal and the $900 was a total rip off, I have San Pan and bought one two years after the boat was new and paid $500 for the seat and they also charged and additional $150 for the freight to the dealer so $650 I did some checking around and that was aprox. the norm for those seats , we have a slip and never load from the bow gate so it was wasted space the seat adds a lot to the boat extra seat plus storage and makes the boat look more finished.

[jafo9]

$900 is a lot, but i wouldn't want to be without mine. our filler seat gets used all the time and really increases seating in the front "u". i rarely put it covering the side door on the port side, but when i do, the kids love it as it makes a "private" lounge because the backs of the sofas wall it off.

[Tim in Michigan]

The invoice on our 2014 Bennington 2375 GCW list the optional bow gate seat @ $549.00. It is always in the bow position on the pontoon, but rarely used, as there is usually only two us us. But nice to have with more people on board. With three gates we can leave it up front. Completes the front seating U quite nicely.

[Bamaman]

I think about the bow seat like I do the optional coffee table/ice chest on mine--in the way. I often need to get to the front fast when coming into docks, etc. and it's really nice to have a clear path without having to jump over such items. Us old retired guys don't jump too well any longer.

I have no desire to have 6-8 people sitting in the front half of my boat. Their combined weight actually lifts the rear of the boat and the front toons run too deep causing propeller ventilation. Boats are more efficient with the weight in the rear half of the boat--allowing the nose cones to get out of the water at fast cruising times.

[DonS]

New guy here.....My pontoon will be delivered next week. I'm looking at an ice chest that is larger than the steering console cubby door, where SunTracker shows storing it, but I really don't want it out in the middle of the boat. We'll be using the boat a lot with 10 people on board, including 4 small grandchildren.

My plan is to find an ice chest that is about the size of the side gate and lower than the seat cushions. Then add a cushion, matching my boat cushions to the top of the ice chest. We'll see how it works out. I'm looking for a boxier shaped ice chest, like a Yeti, but cheaper. I don't want to have to worry about it being stolen all the time.