Buying Guide on Boat Seat Pedestals

Traveling on the water is exhilarating in most conditions, and a comfortable seat mounted on a sturdy boat seat pedestal enhances that exhilaration and sense of freedom.

The pedestal is the foundation of the seating system. Pedestals for boat seats must be strong and robust, because the weight they support is constantly shifting as the boat rocks around or pounds through the waves. This action magnifies the forces placed on the boat seat pedestal base, the pedestal, and the chair.

Boat Seat Pedestal Options

Fixed or Adjustable Boat Seat Pedestals: There is an impressive selection to chose from. If piecing a system together, a buyer must be aware that not all pedestal boat seat bases are compatible between manufacturers of boat seat posts. Boat seat pedestals are available in different configurations such as fixed and adjustable.

The fixed type is available in different lengths and are not height adjustable, whereas an adjustable boat seat pedestal like the Springfield has a small range that the seat can be set at. These types of pedestals also might offer a bit of suspension because most of them have a gas-filled cylinder that aids in raising or lowering the seat. The cylinder can also act as a shock absorber. 

Seat Pedestals mounted below or above the floor: Boat seat pedestals can feature a pin that locks in below the floor of the boat. The other option is to have the boat pedestal mount on top of the floor.

Boat Seat Mounts and Pedestals

Seat mounts will accept most seats, but not all seat mounts will work on any post. There are many options when looking at seat posts. There are fixed, swivel, and slide, to name a few. To keep the weight of a boat seat pedestal low yet retain strength, most boat seat frameworks, pedestals, and bases are manufactured from lightweight aluminum. Aluminum also has the advantage of not rusting like steel. 

Pedestals manufactured with alternate materials such as mild steel or components manufactured from stainless steel are also available, although boat seat pedestals manufactured from mostly aluminum offer the most choices. But a solid boat seat pedestal is nothing without a seat. Seat selections range from simple plastic molded units to elegant, plush, upholstered seating. 

Some of the major players in the boat seat pedestal arena include Attwood,Bentleys,Garelick,Springfield, and Todd USA. These manufacturers also produce boat seats and other items, as well as the pedestals.

A Bit About Boat Seats

Boat seats have a back rest that typically folds down, although there are some seats that fold up, creating a type of a leaning post. A seat can take up a lot of room especially on a smaller boat, so a leaning post is a popular alternative to a seat. With numerous leaning post seat designs available it should be easy to find a style that will suit the project. 

There are no set standards for boat seat height or placement, which can sometimes present problems such as where to put your feet. Thankfully, there are boat seat accessories that can help to solve these issues. Items like clamp-on adjustable footrests, and cushions of various thicknesses, and headrests are a few such items.

So, when it's time to consider seating options for the boat, rest assured Go2Marine has the items you need, in stock, ready to ship at prices that will not break the budget.