Thread: How do i install a seat and where?? Plus more...

Okay, here are my issues.

I want to put a seat at the front of my boat – a 14’ Smoker Craft Jon boat that is 72” wide at the widest – so I can use my foot-pedal trolling motor without falling overboard.

Option 1 - there is a substantial plate across the front of the bow and that is one option.
Option 2 – cut a board and attach it to two of the ribs (riveted) and then attach the seat/pedestal to the board.

As the front of the boat has a lot of Styrofoam underneath it and I would hate to cut into it, it was suggested to use toggle-bolts to attach whatever pedestal or seat assembly attaches – how does that sound?

If I attach it to the floor ribs, which ribs – the two closest to the front or the middle seat?

And, all I have seen locally are pedestals that are either 4” high or 13” high – we are limited to what stores are around us. Now if I use a 13” pedestal and place a swivel on top of that and then attach to a seat, would that be high enough for me to operate the foot-pedal and fish from comfortably from the:

Floor ribs?
Bow mounted area seat?

I ask as the chair I am sitting in now is approximately 17” to 18” from the floor and that swivel can’t be more than 3” or so high making the entire assembly maybe 16” high. Maybe if they are all assembled then the chair will be high enough but I am not sure and thought I would ask.

Another option is I saw a pneumatic rolling chair for sale that adjusts from 15” to well over 20” and has a round seat with no backrest. I realize it is not rustproof – but I take off the wheels and bolt it to the floor or the bow, then I would have a chair and something to hold onto that is adjustable. THOUGHTS??

I propose this as I am not exactly coordinated and have never had “sea legs.” I have a real difficult time balancing myself on any boat – stable or not in the water.

Also, since I am no lightweight (read that OVERWEIGHT) would having me on a chair at the front of the boat be too much or will the engine, gas tank and the like balance me out from the (boat’s) rear end?

I worry because when I went out this past weekend with a borrowed motor and my lightweight friend up front, the transom area seemed to ride pretty low while the bow was pretty high. Right now, there is me, the 15 HP outboard motor, a big Marine battery, anchor and the gas tank back at the transom with my tackle bags and cooler riding in between the rear seat where I operate from now and the middle seat.

Oh, I forgot that I also have a 50-pound thrust Minn-Kota trolling motor attached back there too - so that seems like a lot of weight in the rear of the boat; doesn’t it?

I had contemplated moving the battery or buying an additional battery for the front trolling motor to even it out – I installed a substantial piece of wiring that connects from a plug-in at the bow, along the inside of the boat between the side ribs, and attaches to the battery box at the rear where it is bolted down with wing nuts currently – but I am open to staying with one battery for now and either moving it up front or staying the course until I either add another battery or the like. What do you think?

I am planning on installing more wiring/electrical so that I will have a control panel/box at the rear of the boat that the batteries will be switched from to power: the (future) permanently installed front and rear running lights (on or off); a marine type power outlet for chargers, searchlights and the like (this could actually be on the same circuit as the cable run for the trolling motor as it should most likely always be hot); additional interior recessed lights; and a bilge pump/aerator for the cooler/livewell. I purchased a utility electrical component box from Radio Shack and already have the running lights, LED lights, bilge pump/aerator and two marine switches. My thought is to attach the box when wired to the rear of the boat near wherever I stay with the Fish Finder so everything is at arm’s length when I am at the tiller – BUT I am open to suggestions!

Also, some other questions:

Does the fuel tank need to be strapped down in my boat – legally or just to prevent injuries?

Does the battery need to be strapped down?

It has been suggested to use a winch/crank to raise and lower the anchors but that seems like a lot for a Jon boat – what do you all think? I have two teardrop anchors now and know I need to get one that will hook into the mud but that will come in time…

Anyway, my primary issue is having a seat for this weekend and where should the battery be located to power it and I have proposed two options but am open to more.

Also, I want to make any changes, additions or modifications discussed above as I can without having to go back and redo something that I should have done differently in the first place, so suggestions as how to do so are appreciated. Kind of like the old adage of measure twice, cut once…

Thank you all for your input, counsel and suggestions!

Old,

Didn't know you are here too!

Yeah I ask a lot but I would rather ask than have to do over and over and.....

Good to hear from you.

Now here is more.

Right now the motor is started by rope....

And here is a picture of the front (messy).