Installing swivel seats

[Cap'n Chaos]

I'm about to purchase a 2005 Alumacraft 14'/42" to replace a 1986 Lowe 12'/32"

I was wondering what the best way to install swivel seats would be?

There is a livewell / storage comparment in the center of the front bench seat, with a hinged lid that opens from the side... so I was thinking of maybe a seat to either side of it... don't know if there is enough clearance.


My other boat is also aluminum and the seat bases were riveted to the bench seats, over time (20+ years) the aluminum tore around the rivets, and I about fell overboard when they gave way...

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: Installing swivel seats

My old Model R came to me with swivel seats mounted on top of bench seats too. I felt like I was sitting up too high, over the gunnel, took em off and think I will just go with a pad on the bench seat. It seemed like it put a lot of stress on that bench seat. Not sure how I would mount it if I wanted to stay off the bench. The best way for you may be to get a low profile bench mount and try it.
Good luck with it. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[River - Runner]

Re: Installing swivel seats

I'm about to purchase a 2005 Alumacraft 14'/42" to replace a 1986 Lowe 12'/32"

I was wondering what the best way to install swivel seats would be?

There is a livewell / storage comparment in the center of the front bench seat, with a hinged lid that opens from the side... so I was thinking of maybe a seat to either side of it... don't know if there is enough clearance.


My other boat is also aluminum and the seat bases were riveted to the bench seats, over time (20+ years) the aluminum tore around the rivets, and I about fell overboard when they gave way...

To each his own, but I prefer to keep a bench seat as a bench seat. To add anything on a bench restricts using all of the bench and you being able to distribute weight. And mounted items get in the way and use up room. But that's just me. I love this style of boat as being kept open.

 

[shark1600]

Re: Installing swivel seats

what i did on my bench seats was use toggle bolts, they look like spring loaded wings you fold them up and put them through the hole then they spread back out, then i used bases that have 3/4 holes in them, then attach bases on the seats that have the 3/4 shaft and spring on it, on the baitwell seat i just bolted the base to the lid, got the bases at wally world, the toggle wings were tricky to install had to make sure they laided on top of the foam so i could get the bolt in.

 

[shark1600]

Re: Installing swivel seats

Here's a pic of the toggle bolt.