Drift Boat Seats....What Style?

[TYEE-FISHER]

I have a Willie drift boat on the way in April and need some boat seats. What seems to be the best choice for drift boats? I was thinking a captain’s style seat with arm rests. Are there any con's to this style seat? Any feedback would be helpful. :cheers: Thanks, Tyee

[SouthCoastStu]

I don't have the arm rests, but would think that stuff might get snagged around them and generally be in the way :shrug: Also, when I have one very small and one, um, big person up front I need to be able to slide one seat all the way over to balance the boat. Don't want the guys up front to get to comfy and miss the pound-down :jester:

[Two Fister]

Personally, I don't like to have any seats up front. Keeps those lazy slackers on point! :)

Actually, I went to the local camping store and bought a few of the Crazy Creek chairs. They're folding chairs made out of closed cell foam with straps on the side for adjustment. It makes it a lot easier to balance the boat as they are not on a track that gets full of grit. I just ask people to slide and it's easy to do so. I bought four of them for the price of just the track system on the boat. Also people can use them on shore when we stop for lunch or campout. The sides unsnap so that they can also serve as a short sleeping pad for those mid-day naps during the heat of the day on the Lower D. My wife also likes to sit on the front casting deck when we are floating and she can just move one of the chairs up front when she wants.

TF

[Best Fishes]

Here is my 2 cents. I had seats with arm rests years ago. Comfortable but in the way from time to time. I also noticed that the wind would catch the seat when I was towing the boat.
5 or 6 years ago I too ordered a new Willie. I the "Fish On" padded seats with the Willie Logo on them. I am very satisfied with thes and the fold down when not being used.
Best Fishes,

[Bait Bucket]

About all I can add is that every pound counts.

[bottomfish22]

Just an idea... but after jumping/hopping over a bench with seats for years, finally decided to go with 'pod' seats (Wilie's make them, kinda spendy, but they also have storage, can be moved to the front deck 'shelf' for increased room once a fish is hooked). Stick some fish for us! Have also tried Two Fist's idea... which has a lot of benefits. It is a lot harder to break those kind of chairs too!

[River Ranger]

Here is what I have on my Willie Drifter,and I must say they are awesome!Extra comfort for your front seaters is helpful.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/100_1635_Small_.JPG

RR.

[River Ranger]

Here is another shot,plenty of room to pass in the 60" bottom.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/100_1630_Small_.JPG

RR.

[TYEE-FISHER]

River Ranger,

That is a sweet set-up.....I should have ordered the 60! The seating looks great too. Thanks for sharing! Tyee :)

[FastAction]

RR. Nice seat box's do they say put well? Why not the sliding rod holders?

[River Ranger]

Yes,they do stay still even in the the roughest water.

As for the rod holders,I saw a friends boat with that same set up and liked it.I do have the sliders now but have not tried them yet.
Thanks for the comment.:)

RR.

[rowmanholiday]

RR,
I too also like your front seat set up. A couple of questions, and forgive me if they are stupid ones. Are the seats mounted to the deck in any way. If so, how do you adjust them for a single front passenger? If not mounted, how do you keep them from being unstable or moving around?

Thanks in advance.

[River Ranger]

They are not mounted to the floor,so you can slide them any where you like.If I have only one passenger I only use one seat ,and you can imagine how much room I have then.
As for them moving around,they don't.I have never had them slide yet,even without a passenger in them.I do keep them straped down for travel and launching as I assume they would tip then.
Most of the time I only have one passenger so a bench would only take up space I would rather have for walking around.

RR.

[hunt2much]

Here's mine!... Arm rests all the way!

I like the bench only for storage purposes only. Life jackets, throwable and 3 pc breakdown oar when not in use. I almost went with the 2 boxes and level floor for all the space gained, but decided to go more traditional. Both have their advantages.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/new_seat_fronts.JPG

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/new_seat_backs.JPG

[TYEE-FISHER]

hunt2much,

That is one sweet set up. How long ago were these seats purchased? Just wondering if this is the current style Willie still uses? Very nice! :)

[hunt2much]

The boat is an 2005, and I had the seats made in early spring 2006 sometime. The boat was built for my dad and then he passed away less than a year... So right after i sold my 2002 willie and sold the OE seats in my Dad's 2005, I had them made and installed at wille's. One suggestion, for 1/3 to 1/2 the cost, buy the Cabelas super deluxe big man seats($80) with arms +($35). And get the swivels, and the aluminum slide plates from Willie and have them "delete" the factory seats (Shhhh...this will give you a credit on your invoice!) Have the seats delivered directly to willie with your name too and have them install them before you pick it up. Talk it over with willie boats first too of course. Unless your like me and want to pay a lot of money for "Willie boats" embroidery! if you want any more pics or have any other Q's just ask.

Oh yeah, and these are NOT OE seats. The $20 cheap molded plastic fold down with built in padding seats are OE. These seats were considerably more. But they are less than a year old and should be a current style they use.

Matt