Bayliner Seats, why so low???

[BAproject]

I have a '91 capri 21' bowrider.
Finally got it in the water last week (read previous post in this forum).

The seats are sooooo low that it is actually uncomfortable to drive. I have tried reading up on the web about converting these seats. i was thinking about removing the back-to-backs on both the port and starboard side, and replacing them with higher swivel style seats (not to mention these seem cheaper to replace!). Has anyone had experience doing this, and is it worth it, I want to see more!

-BAproject

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Bayliner Seats, why so low???

Pretty normal seating for a bow rider regardless of brand. They always seem to put the eyes of a 6 ft tall person right at the top of the windshield frame.

 

[109jb]

Re: Bayliner Seats, why so low???

I have pedestals in my Sea Ray. You can look at them at the link in my signature below. They aren't much higher than original though. If you wanted to you could install pedestal seats with the adjustable rise. I am actually thinking about removing the pedestals in mine and building some carpeted boxes to put the seats on for more storage.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Bayliner Seats, why so low???

My bowrider came from the factory with a set of back-to-back seats that were already removed wen I bought the boat.

I put a pedestal seat on each side and it works great. If I want to open the deck up I can remove both seats(helpful when cleaning the boat, fishing, or if I need to lay down and take a nap).

I'm 6'5" so if I wanted to keep my field of view thru the windshield I'd have to put in a 4" pedestal post

There are photos in my resto link below if you want to see what I did.

 

[Mordekai]

Re: Bayliner Seats, why so low???

Anyway to just switch the post and keep the seats?

I wonder if it's just as simple as unbolting old post and rebolting the new post on

 

[BAproject]

Re: Bayliner Seats, why so low???

Thanks 109jb and 1235, great galleries. This is exactly what I want to do. In my case I am 5'10" and feel like a midget sitting int here and want to basically get my head above the windshield.

2 Questions:

1. On the Capri there are those built in boxes that hold the seats in place, they run all the way to the port and starboard sides with the elevated frame to hold the seat. Can I just take a sawzall to that entire assembly and re-patch with fiber and epoxy (or will there be a giant hole there? I believe your Searay may have been set up a similar way jb109?

2. How much were the seats if you don;t mind me asking? I don;t want to break the bank, which is another reason for the conversion. Those Bayliner replacement seats are $300 a pop. Tha'ts a lot to spend on something you don't even like

-BAproject

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner Seats, why so low???

The seats are so low because Bayliner built their boats with low slanted windshields. The price you pay for that style I guess.

 

[109jb]

Re: Bayliner Seats, why so low???

My Sea Ray had a back to back seat from the factory on the port side of the boat only. The driver seat was a pedestal from the factory. By the time I got my boat the port side back to back seat had already been removed. I could see though that it was only attached to the deck and no to the side of the hull.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Bayliner Seats, why so low???

I've wondered the same thing over the years. After having been in plenty of bowriders including Bayliners, SeaRays, Chapparals, blah, blah, blah, I have always wound up sitting on the top edge of the seat so I can see better and I'm 6'4". I've even seen "booster seats" in catalogs for just that purpose- getting the driver up higher. I never felt comfortable not being able to see the bow very well. I now run a center console and even with the higher pedestal seats I have in it I still find myself standing up. (That's the norm in a center console anyway. LOL) I don't often sit in the seat while running unless I am running down the river on the way back to the dock and I am eating bugs. That's what the windshield is for.

UFM82

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Bayliner Seats, why so low???

I too am vertically challenged in my Crownline BR. The seats in the boat have a pretty nice bolster built into them. When in regular mode, the bolster is part of the "butt" part of the seat, and when I need a boost, I can flip it up and back, giving me a couple inch boost. Not quite as comfy but it's nice to be a bit elevated at times. I've also just used my throwable cushion as a seat pad, since I have to have it handy anyway.

 

[Kracken]

Re: Bayliner Seats, why so low???

I had a 90 Four Winns that had two pedestal chairs. I am 6?-1? and I could barely see over the steering wheel.

I purchased one of these:

http://www.iboats.com/Adjustable-He...6682538--**********.705239034--view_id.375736

With a little creativity it was able to attach to the factory seat.

Do not buy the really cheap ones. I did at first, it lasted exactly ONE good wave.

 

[BAproject]

Re: Bayliner Seats, why so low???

Cool, that thing looks robust! Pretty short money as well. I think I can get 2 of those and the seats that go on them for less than replacing my back-to-backs

-BAproject

 

[oops!]

Re: Bayliner Seats, why so low???

the problem replacing the seats is in the seat bases.

the seat bases are glassed to the hull.

you can take a sawzall and cut them out, however below that is the foam.

so......

what you would need to do is....

cut out seat bases.....remove foam below deck height.
add new thick ply deck...glass it in...

the pedestal seats, need backing plates, this can be above ground or below the deck.

but you would need at least a 18 inch square base to bolt the seat to.

if you do this under the deck.....you will need to remove the floor pretty much all the way to the forward bulkhead.
place the backing plate under the new deck you will install.

some guys have put the backing plate right on top of the floor....but that means you have a huge bump in the floor. all around your seat.

i hope that is not too confusing for you.

cheers
oops

 

[dirtdiver]

Re: Bayliner Seats, why so low???

I have a Thompson and mine is the same way. I plan on taking out the driver side back to back and putting a pedistal in. I also want to take the engine cover and build a sun pad and then a bench seat along the back in front of the pad.... Thats my winter project

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Bayliner Seats, why so low???

temporarily you can sit on the top of the seatbacks. thats what i do. then your feet can rest on the seat bottom cushion. In bad weather though, its nice to sit down and be below the windshield.

 

[BAproject]

Re: Bayliner Seats, why so low???

Thanks for the info OOPS!
I was wondering if a large plate was necessary...otherwise the lever on the seat would just rip the bolts right out of the floor (if just bolted into the plywood).
Is it necessary to have such a large plate though? That seems large for a 9" pedestal base.

I may just leave the existing seat box in place, cutting off the flange that holds the current seat in place and cut a notch in the side so I can slide a plate underneath...then seal everything back up.

This of course will mean there is still an elevated box on the floor but seating position will be better

-BAproject

 

[dingdongs]

Re: Bayliner Seats, why so low???

have a look on the bayliner owners club under small bowriders.amazing what some of these guys do.hopefully a link here;http://baylinerownersclub.org/forum/showthread.php?t=341&highlight=small+bowrider&page=212

 

[skargo]

Re: Bayliner Seats, why so low???

I find I stand 99% of the time. When I do sit I'm too high in my Wellcraft, if I put up the stock camper top, my head is firmly pressed against it!