HOW TO MOUNT SWIVEL SEATS IN A JON BOAT 2025

guest reply :

Hey Fellas; After 6 years of use I am retiring my little 12 green v hull aluminum row boat. I am going to a jon boat. I want to put swivel seats, right onto the bech seats. I did it in the old boat, buy screwing boards onto the bench seats, bolting them onto the aluminum seats then secured the swivel seats onto the boards

I like low profile more than the high seats and i saw a small pedastel, 5 1/2 inches at Wal mart and want to know if any one every used these and the best way to Install them?

Thanks Muddy

Clayton reply :

If I understand you correctly I would say just used some self taping screws. Go with quality screws.

guest reply :

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If I understand you correctly I would say just used some self taping screws. Go with quality screws.

THANKS CLAYTON, I really want to say something about the last part of your post but I will be good,, NAH>> WE ALL KNOW THAT QUAILTY SCREWS ARE ALWAYS THE BEST

moloch16 reply :

I used this seat mount which installs into this base plate. These have worked really well on my Jon boat. I noticed my wal-mart started selling these, is this what you are talking about?

I installed the base plate on a piece of wood which is attached to the bench seats with self-tapping screws. The base plate has the long piece sticking up and this gives me the right amount of height.

I can provide a picture if you want more detail.

Jimzee reply :

Quote
I used this seat mount which installs into this base plate. These have worked really well on my Jon boat. I noticed my wal-mart started selling these, is this what you are talking about?
I installed the base plate on a piece of wood which is attached to the bench seats with self-tapping screws. The base plate has the long piece sticking up and this gives me the right amount of height.

I can provide a picture if you want more detail.

I also have these on my 14' john boat. Never had any problems with them.

guest reply :

This was more of what I was thinking, the one on the left

Jimzee reply :

Those might actually be better. Mine will squeak from time to time due to the spring on the bottom. Those also look more sturdy, just make sure they swivel.

guest reply :

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Those might actually be better. Mine will squeak from time to time due to the spring on the bottom. Those also look more sturdy, just make sure they swivel.

you have to bolt the swivel onto to it

George Welcome reply :

The good thing about this system is it allows for removal when not needed. All you need can be gotten at wal-martl. Base, pedastal, swivel, and seat. One other item I would recommend woud be wood backer if possible.

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

The only issue with the peds you want to use is that there are only 4 mounting holes. Check out mine below. 6 holes. I also cut a small hole in the side of the bench seat (matches hole in bow bench) so I could get my hand up and get nuts on the bolts for the pedestal. Very little foam needs to be removed. I finished the hole with the same "edge" guard used on bow seat hole (found it at napa)

Now I also have 2 more small storage areas in the bench;s. I use the hole in middle bench to store my drift anchor and the rear hole holds a small set of basic tools and epoxy weld.

These pedestals are short so you can put feet on floor or bench. (that's the nice part about the shorty style pedestal, keeps center of gravity low also)

The seats also remove from these pedstals for upside down winter storage or if you go out alone (I remove front seat if alone)

Also, doing it this way keeps you from adding more weight (wood on benches, not necessary)

guest reply :

Quote

The good thing about this system is it allows for removal when not needed. All you need can be gotten at wal-martl. Base, pedastal, swivel, and seat. One other item I would recommend woud be wood backer if possible.

Hey George: What is a wood backer?

This and LBH's way will probablly be the way I go

guest reply :

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The only issue with the peds you want to use is that there are only 4 mounting holes. Check out mine below. 6 holes. I also cut a small hole in the side of the bench seat (matches hole in bow bench) so I could get my hand up and get nuts on the bolts for the pedestal. Very little foam needs to be removed. I finished the hole with the same "edge" guard used on bow seat hole (found it at napa)
Now I also have 2 more small storage areas in the bench;s. I use the hole in middle bench to store my drift anchor and the rear hole holds a small set of basic tools and epoxy weld.

These pedestals are short so you can put feet on floor or bench. (that's the nice part about the shorty style pedestal, keeps center of gravity low also)

The seats also remove from these pedstals for upside down winter storage or if you go out alone (I remove front seat if alone)

Also, doing it this way keeps you from adding more weight (wood on benches, not necessary)

It's a toss up between wht you and Mr.Welcome sugggest. I am getting the boat in March, when i finish paying it off, then I will go to work turning it into my fishing rig!

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

Might be a good time to get that visit in

If I come down, we could bang it out together in an hour.

Is the old boat going to someone in the "Muddy's recovery assistance program"?

guest reply :

Quote
Might be a good time to get that visit in
If I come down, we could bang it out together in an hour.

Is the old boat going to someone in the "Muddy's recovery assistance program"?

Yea< I gave it to a guy who just made his year, how'd u know?

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

Some actions are "predictable", once you know the facilitator

surfer reply :

Quote
I used this seat mount which installs into this base plate.

Those are the two pieces I have used also. You don't need the pole in-between that ads height (not shown, optional). The base with sleeve can be used upside down to add 3 inches if it is to short. Check before buying it that it's not the screw in threaded one or it can't be used up side down. I really like that for removal you simply lift the seat up, but the seat will not come out even at 30 mph. I have to ad a squirt of white lithium grease every 6 months to keep them quiet.

Backer wood is wood behind the aluminum for the screws to bite into. The aluminum is thin and would be easy for the screws to pull out of. I am not sure how to get inside the seat to hold the backer wood in place while screwing into it. Use Stainless steal screws to prevent future rust and corrosion.

guest reply :

THANK YOU GENTELMEN I WILL STORE ALL THIS FOR FUTURE USE 8-)

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

Backing plates are not necessary. Nut with large flat washer and smaller lock washer in between the 2

Zel... reply :

Muddy, here is the way I set up my son-in-laws aluminum boat with a swivel seat. With the turn of two screws you can take it with you, if you leave your boat moored at the Chunk and are afraid of having someone steal them. I got all three seat components on sale at Cabelas in spring, and the 8 screws at a hardware store.

(note: the clamp on the pic below already has a swivel built in, but mine didn't and I had to buy the swivel section separatly, so if you go by just the picture you would only need the clamp and a seat)

Long Mike reply :

Muddy, I bought the pedestal, swivel and seat at Wal-Mart for lest than twenty bucks. Works great on my raft.

guest reply :

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Muddy, I bought the pedestal, swivel and seat at Wal-Mart for lest than twenty bucks. Works great on my raft.

BY us Wal Mart: The clamp mount 8.00, swivel plate 5.00 and the seat 22.00 , they have an inexpensive plastic seat, but it doesn't fold

burleytog reply :

Wish I had a better photo, but here is the system I used with my old jon.

The black base mounts to the boat seat with four screws. You attach the swivel plate to the bottom of the seat, then the swivel plate slides into the base and it locks into place. Easily removable as well.

I tried the clamp that Zel pictured but my boat seats were too wide.

One thing about it, there are a 100 different ways to do it. If the jon you're getting is narrow, (and unless you're a waif like Russ), having elevated pedestals might lead to some stability problems.

guest reply :

Thanks Burley, I am concerned about stability and I like a lower profile, I am really not comfortable on high seats. HOW DOES THAT PLATE STAY INTO THE SEAT, I had to put boards in my last boat to keep the swivel on the seat from backing off?

burleytog reply :

I don't exactly understand the question, but I'll try to explain.

Base plate has four countersunk mounting holes. I used 4" flat head sheet metal screws, attaching the base plate to the boat seat. Seats were just thin aluminum, but the screws held for the year I had the boat.

The swivel (second item in Zel's photo) screws into the bottom of the folding seat.

The lower half of the swivel then slides into the base plate. The base is solid with a lip around the inner square (so to speak). That lip holds the swivel. There is a lever in the front of the base plate that depresses when you insert the swivel/seat into the base. That is what keeps the seat/swivel in place when in use.

To remove the seat, you just lift the lever and slide the seat/swivel out.

The key is finding a swivel and a base that match up. I got my first base at Wal Mart, they sold out and I had to get one at Bass Pro. The BPS model was a little more sturdy, but had a bit more slop in it.

That little jon was about as stable as a wash tub, but those seats made fishing all day bearable.

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

and it is compatible with the 7" black pedestal that wal mart carries if you wanted to get a lift off the seat to not ruin your knees. Same thing as the peds I use essentially but again, 4 holes, not 6.

burleytog reply :

Quote
and it is compatible with the 7" black pedestal that wal mart carries if you wanted to get a lift off the seat to not ruin your knees. Same thing as the peds I use essentially but again, 4 holes, not 6.

Aye, I meant to mention that but it slipped my mind. Would just need to attach the swivel to the pedestal with some small bolts.

guest reply :

Quote

Quote
and it is compatible with the 7" black pedestal that wal mart carries if you wanted to get a lift off the seat to not ruin your knees. Same thing as the peds I use essentially but again, 4 holes, not 6.

Aye, I meant to mention that but it slipped my mind. Would just need to attach the swivel to the pedestal with some small bolts.

Thanks to both opf you, Thnk Goodness Russ will be coming here to help as I am somewhat unreliable with tools, Coming form NYC the super did all the work, YEA I ADMIT IT I AINT SKILLED IN THSI FASHION.

BURLEY: In my Aluminum Row Boat, The screws kept backing out iof the aluminum seat. Ron Cut two piececes of ply wood ( One for each seat) he use somekind of special screws and put the boards to the seats then mounted the swivwels and seats to the boards, Lasted 3 years so far i gotta go to workIll be back on in a bit

Thanks and Lata

burleytog reply :

I see what you're saying. Never had that problem. Just a matter of using the right tool for the job.

Good luck and have fun with the money pit...

bassboy1 reply :

We don't have the 5 inch extension, but have seats like that and swivels. First, we cut a piece of 3/4 inch plywood, where it has a few inches on each side of the swivel. We then attached the swivel to the plywood with bolts from the swivel, into the ply, and Tee nuts on the other side. Then, we bolted the seat to the swivel. Now, we got 15 foot ratchet straps, available at Walmart, or Northern tool, or Lowes etc, and strapped the wood to the bench seat. The nice thing about it, is the placement is never set in stone. Our first placement had the back guy offset to the right, and the front guy to the left. This didn't balance out well, as dad weighs significantly more than me, and when I was alone, it was off center too. Then, we moved them to the center. Well, that interfered with the OB tiller. Now, we have the back one on the very front of the bench, and it works perfectly. Couldn't be happier. As for the stiffness, you would break the bench before flexing the seat mount off. Since they are ratchet straps, and not cambuckle straps, you can get it super tight. The seats have stayed attached that way for a few fishing trips, and a couple hundred road miles without a problem.

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HOW TO MOUNT SWIVEL SEATS IN A JON BOAT 2025

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