Flush mount seat mounts in jon boat

[jspringator]

I need advice about a seat mount (base) in my flat bottom jon boat. I would like one that will flush mount in an aluminium flat seat, and will have some sort of plastic over the hole so it has a finished look even when the seat is out. I know I will have to drill a circular hole in the seat and remove a small amount of foam to get it to fit. I will use toggle bolts to hold it down. Is there a pedestal (pole) available that can let the seat be low at speed, and raise up to fishing level? Are there any comfortable high back seats that would work for this purpose? I want to install 3 bases and two seats so I can move them around.

 

[John_S]

Re: Flush mount seat mounts in jon boat

I searched for something similiar, but not for an aluminum bench seat. I don't think you will find a retractable post that goes from a couple inches to 12-13", or retracts into your bench seat, but is also removable and flush. I do think there was a pin type arangement that had a flat square base, and you could remove post and the seat would plug into base. It would still be a few inches above the top of your bench seat. You will have to look through one of the online catalogs.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Flush mount seat mounts in jon boat

notice the front seat in this boat, have no idea where to find one. but thought it was neat.
"http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300170137846&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=020"

 

[mooresinar]

Re: Flush mount seat mounts in jon boat

I had a similar situation on my 16 foot jon boat. I only had 1 hole and pedistal and it was right in the way of my outboard tiller. I went to the local metal shop and purchased a sheet of very thin marine grade aluminum. I think it was about as thick as the hull aluminum. I have a fairly wide back seat area so I just made the sheet a little smaller than the entire area of the seat. I purchased 3 stainless steel pedistal mounts from walmart because they were cheaper than buying at cabelas or basspro. I fit the sheet of aluminum where I wanted it and the temporarily fastened it to the boat by predrilling and screwing in some sheet metal screws at each corner. I then took some time determining where the center hole for each pedistal needed to go through good old trial and error making sure that the far right seat wouldn't be in the way of my tiller on my outboard. You next will need to drill a pilot hole for your jigsaw so that you can cut out a hole for where the flush mount pedistal mount will go. Once you do this for all three mounts be sure to position and mark with a felt tip pen the holes for the recessed mounting bolts that will hold the pedistal to the aluminum sheet. Drill the holes for the bolts and then remove the screws from each corner of your sheet metal and flip it over. Take the bolts that attach the pedistal seat to the sheet aluminum, (I changed them out for stainless steel bolts and stainless teflon lined nuts) and attach the flush mount pedistals to the sheet metal. I also used a drop or two of loc tite on each one just to make sure I didn't have to take it apart and retighten. Tighten everything and flip back over and stick it into the holes you cut out for the stem that the pedistal will fit down into. Align the four corner screws and screw them back into the boat to secure the sheet metal that now has your pedistal mounts attached. Now, take the time to predrill sheetmetal screw holes all around the perimeter of the sheet metal. If you don't you will be shearing off one after the other and you will waste a lot of time and energy trying to dig them out or worse drill them out. If you have good selection of drill bits try several until you get the right size hole that will let you zip the sheetmetal screw in without breaking but holding firm at the same time. Start small and work up in drill bit size. After you get them drilled and screwed in, take some all weather caulking and put a small bead all the way around the perimeter of the sheetmetal to make a smooth edge so as to not tear your clothing etc on the sheetmetal edge. I did this because I don't have an aluminum welder and I wear waders while duck hunting and don't always use a seat so I wanted to be able to slide around on the edges if I needed to without worrying about tearing a hole in my waders.

I normally just put the seat in the hole and it sits pretty low. I just purchased a couple different sized pedistal seat extensions and stick in the hole and then put the seat on top of that. Works pretty slick.

The extra aluminum doesn't add that much weight to the boat. Maybe about 35-40 pounds.

The best case senario would be to purchase a flush mount aluminum pedistal base and have someone weld it on there for you. It would save some weight and some time. This is a fun and easy project though.

Hope this helps. If not, then sorry for taking up your time.

 

[mooresinar]

Re: Flush mount seat mounts in jon boat

If you want pictures of my boat and what I did. I'd be glad to email them to you to see if it is something you'd be interested in.