Double seat on a 165

[South65]

I had two bases installed on my boat when I got it. But don't have any negatives about it vs a stand type floor mount. Ask Brm. He's uses them. Better for short term use I guess not having to put two diff sets of holes In the boat for 2 bases he just uses the one he has with a pedistol stand


2003 Xpress X17
MinnKota V2 Powerdrive
Humminbird 998c
Cumberland Crappie Racks
BnM PSTs

[yankee doodler]

2 bases slightly aft of centerline of factory base. Port and starboard positions were determined by the superstructure under the decking and to leave room to pass between the seats. I am usually fishing w/ wife so we pull the rear seat up to the front. Everything is stable.

[crappiehunterDave]

Sounds good guys. May look into putting two more bases in.

[panfish angler]

crappiehunter my boat is stable with two up front, you have to watch for the large wakes. The water can get close to coming over the bow. When fishing solo up front, I like the extra bases for putting the seat in when moving, leaving the pedestal in the center base.

[genec]

crappiehunter, I have a bass tracker 2007, for 3 years I use a mount that fix the center hole so me and wife or friend could fish side by side,I love it but did not like stepping over it so much,I move boat a lot,so I put 2 more pedestal in front and use center hole for unbrellar,like it much better. But what you should do first on your boat is take a 2x4 board and drill 2 3/4 inch holes the distant you think you want and put your 2 seats in them and see if it is going to have enough room to suit your need ,you may while on trailer have 2 people to lightly sit in them,then you will solve the question of enought room,but I would put 2 more pedestal and when fishing alone can also move one seat to back and other seat to center if you like

[crappiehunterDave]

You all have talked me into two more bases. I believe that is the way to go. I have also talked myself into two new Hi Tek rod holders. Going to give my Driftmasters to my boy. Thanks for all the advise guys.

[G.Gordon]

Good thread, just bought me an ezpp.

[Creamlevel Kennels]

My brother has a Tracker 17.5 and I have a Tracker Deep-V 17.5 Not as much to be cheaper, but more to take advantage of every square inch, we tend to make our own stuff. We started out with a Grizzly 2 Seat Base which was well made and worked out nicely. But due to fishing a lot of crappy tournaments, we had a couple of issues, with mainly spacing between the seat being the biggest one. We are both 230#, and the space between the seats had us sitting shoulder to shoulder. We both like to jig with outr right hands, so it became a problem for one of us, and the guy in the left seat usually had to fish with their left hand. Which meant being late on strikes, and toughter to feel the lite bite during that time of year. We fished this seat for a couple years, then decided we could make something custom to our boats, so we did. Here is the Grizzly Seat Frame.






This is the Seat Frame we built custom for our boat, and have built several for fisherman. In the PIC above, notice the space lost on the outer edge of the frame. This is all space that is very important, and is more valuble between the 2 seats. In the lower PIC, notice how we are out to the outer edge of the boat, using every possible inch. We also built a tube between the seat to hold a Patio Umbrella, for fishing the Dog Days of Summer here in Texas. We may look like Mary Poppins, but it will be 10 degrees cooler under the umbrella. we have also added just about anything that guys needed to make fishing easier. Tubes to slip your need in when unhooking, keeping your rod off the floor, bouy baskets, just about anything you can think of to make life a little easier. we also make the height of the seat custom to your personal need. When you sit a little higher it makes it easier to operate the trolling motor pedal, plus for the taller guys, nothing is worse than having to sit with your knees under your chin. With the Cable Type Trolling Motor (Bigger Pedal) that we like better for crappie fishing, you can sit high enough to operaate pedal comfortably. You can see the 3 bouy holder on the right side of boat, we now have it mounted between the seats, on the tubing, and easy access, no bending of to the floor to get a bouy. Easy Access, as you just sit down in seats, and turn to the outside as you spin around to the front. Seat Frame is totally custom to the boat.

Here is a PIC of my Deep-V with our Seat Frame, notice the full use of the deck.

[Gansett]

Ditto on what Panfish did. Works great. My buddy bought a bench seat from Grizzly Jig and it is very versatile. If not spider rigging that day, just leave it at home. I actually like it better than what I did (don't tell Harold).

[danny]

I have a 175 twx red 2007 tracked and I installed two bases spaced evenly next to the front one put carpet over them so me and my wife can fish up front together love it or fish by myself nothing in the way but mainly for spider riving for crappie it should work for your 165 these boats are laid out much the same just check up under the deck and see that you don't have any cross members in your way use good screws and always check them they can come loose after a little use good luck man God bless