There are many types of boat seats available and the most important consideration in making this determination is the type of boat you have and what you will be using it for. The most common types of boat seats are:
* Leaning Posts
* Captain’s Chairs
* Seat Cushions
* Swivels
Leaning post seats are most often used for center console boats. They can function as a leaning post, a seat, or a bench. Most of these types of seats have optional removable backrests and thickly clustered cushions for superior comfort. Most leaning posts type seats have four fishing rod holders and an integrated hand and foot rail. This type of seat usually costs around $750.00.
Captain’s Chairs:
Captain’s Chairs are usually designed for center console or flybridge use. There are many types of captain’s chairs that run the gamete on quality. Top of the line captain chairs have UV stabilized polyethylene construction, extra thick clustered cushions, padded armrests on anodized aluminum mounting brackets, and foot pedestals. This seat also is a slider, meaning the seat itself slides up or down for the comfort of the captain. They have a 15-inch starting pedestal. These chairs usually cost around $500.00.
The next inline in captain chairs includes a seat, cushion, 15-inch starting pedestal that can slide up and down, armrests, and polished aluminum hardware.
A less expensive type of captain chair has removable snap-on cushions, a 360-degree nylon spider, and a 15-inch fixed height pedestal. These seats usually cost around $240.00.
Swivel seats are especially popular on fishing boats that have a seat hole pattern to attach them onto. The benefits of swivel seats are that they are removable, can turn 360 degrees, fit most standard seat hole patterns, are self-lubricating, with non-corrosive poly swivel bearings, and most are made with E-coated steel which resists corrosion. Additionally, most swivel seats have a quick-release mechanism that allows the seat to slide out through plastic tracks that are mounted to the boat.
Additional Types of Boat Seats:
* Some fishing boat seats are cushions on top of ice chests. These seats can be positioned anywhere the angler desires in the boat, or fastened to the deck in specific locations.
* Another type of boat seat is the folding or “quick flip” seat. These types of seats are easy to transport and eliminate tie-down straps. They also stay dry as you can fold them up and transport them or put them inside boat storage should bad weather arise. There are numerous types of folding or “quick flip” seats in regard to quality and comfort.
* Bucket seats are considered very comfortable seats. Most are made of heavy-duty marine-grade vinyl which means they are sun, salt, and mildew resistant. These types of seats are mounted or can be mounted to the boat.
* Proform seats are ideal seats for small boats. They are usually made of molded plastic, have a cushioned seat and back for comfort, and are ultra-low when folded flat.
* Lounge seats. This type of boat seats are back to back of one another. They are usually seen on ski boats and runabouts. Most have plastic frames, cushioned seats, and have dry storage underneath. They come in many sizes, are permanently mounted into the boat and most are UV treated to provide for mildew resistance.
* Stern Seats. Stern seats are located in the back of boats. They are found on either or both sides of the engine facing the front of the boat.
* Lounge Seats. Lounge seats are boat seats that are similar to a couch in a home. More than one person can sit on them, right next to each other or they make great sunbathing seats, as a person can lay down the length of one. Most of these types of boat seats are found on walk-through windshield boats and pontoon boats.
* Bench Seats. Bench seats are popular on fishing boats as well as many recreational boats. What is great about these seats is that they are cushioned both on the seat and the back and have either a live bait well or storage area underneath.
