Adding a Seat for trolling

[Thrasher]

I was curious if any of you have added a seat to troll from. I have a 2008 21' Seahawk and for the last year, I have just sat atop the rear fish box on the tiller side. With the offshore bracket and the T-8, it tends to create a rather sore back at the end of the day. Since the T-8 tiller has an offset tiller handle, making sharp starboard turns you have reach way out over the port side as well.

I have an fixed extension which is nice for general trolling, but making the sharp turns it is kind of a pain. The tiller extension and lack of seat need some definite refining and was curious what others have done.

Ideas? Input?

Thanks

[stevo]

You can get a tiller extension with a universal type joint in it, allows you to steer and operate the tiller throttle at virtually any angle.

[Thrasher]

I picked up a tiller extension with the u-joint in it, however for what I was looking for I was less than happy with the results.

[goatram]

There is a bar that you can connect between the main to the T8 and then use your helm to control the kicker. cost around $50 for it and the required brackets. Been there with the old boat, my Seahawk was already set up. I did add a cable throttle control to change the speed from the helm also. there is a remote that works as well but I had the cable and control already.

[Thrasher]

There is a bar that you can connect between the main to the T8 and then use your helm to control the kicker. cost around $50 for it and the required brackets. Been there with the old boat, my Seahawk was already set up. I did add a cable throttle control to change the speed from the helm also. there is a remote that works as well but I had the cable and control already.

I have the steering tie bar as well...tried that....

It's much easier to man the down rigger while sitting right near it, not to mention, I feel as if I can navigate a better troll pattern right from the tiller.

I know, I know...all sounds like personal problems... ;)

[Kokonuts]

I have the steering tie bar as well...tried that....

It's much easier to man the down rigger while sitting right near it, not to mention, I feel as if I can navigate a better troll pattern right from the tiller.

I know, I know...all sounds like personal problems... ;)

I have the same problem on my boat. Ive picked up a folding boat seat with the swivel base. I am going to mount it over the out board motor well, but I have to have a piece of Alu. welded in for the base. Sorry but not much help right now!

[fishkisser]

I just sit on my doghouse ...
don't they make some deck chairs that you can move around ? ...
Or you could always put in a pedestal seat that you could remove if not needed ...
Without some pictures I have no idea what your setup looks like , but good luck ... Barney

[Gundog]

The answer for me was not cheap TR-1.
Mike

[Thrasher]

I have a lot more hours to log before I can even think about that setup.

[honker1]

Have to admit, I am lazy when I fishing. Did the catch in the back for many years, but now it takes to long to heal. I went with the PowrTran for steering and last week I got a good deal on a Panther T-4 if my PowrTran ever goes out. Now I get to sit up front with the wife and relax. Only need to push a button for left/right or throttle speed.:throb:

[Hawk JJ]

http://shopping.msn.com/results/boat-seats/bcatid5625/forsale?text=category:boat

I hope that link works. I bought 2 brown comfortable pedestal seats with armrests years ago. They were about $70 each. The seat in the link looks similar to mine. (back folds down)


I have a 1994 16' lunker Alumacraft boat (with steering console starboard side). I mounted one of these seats on the middle of the rear bench & sometimes use it to control the tiller of an electric trolling motor with an extension. Works great for what i wanted.

The other seat i mounted on the middle of the front bench cover above a storage area. Then i mounted a Minnkota Edge 50lb thrust bowmount foot control electric trolling motor. Works Great for my needs. I have two deep cycle batts in boxes midway aft.

Best of Luck in your search Pard................................:D

[AlseaAssassin]

I mounted an adapter plate made by Action boat products on my stern that allows you slide your seat mount in and out. It's a pretty slick set up since I don't have to keep the seat on there when I cover the boat and I was able to use an existing seat I already had. If your gunnel is wide enough I highly recommend this setup.

If you can wait until next weekend I'll get some pics up for you.

[106gunner]

I was curious if any of you have added a seat to troll from. I have a 2008 21' Seahawk and for the last year, I have just sat atop the rear fish box on the tiller side. With the offshore bracket and the T-8, it tends to create a rather sore back at the end of the day. Since the T-8 tiller has an offset tiller handle, making sharp starboard turns you have reach way out over the port side as well.

I have an fixed extension which is nice for general trolling, but making the sharp turns it is kind of a pain. The tiller extension and lack of seat need some definite refining and was curious what others have done.

Ideas? Input?

Thanks

I've got a 16 smokercraft ospey with a 50hp main and a 8hp kicker. My butt go so sore from sitting on the gunwales that I bit the bullet and bought a Troll Master. http://www.troll-masterpro.com/ (http://www.troll-masterpro.com/) Now I sit up front and control the kicker from the Captain's seat. Cost a few bucks but man was it worth it. Check it out. You can install it yourself. Good Luck! (Father's Day isn't too far off :wink:.

[AlseaAssassin]

Sorry guys I forgot to get the pics but I'll try to remember this weekend!

[Gundog]

I've got a 16 smokercraft ospey with a 50hp main and a 8hp kicker. My butt go so sore from sitting on the gunwales that I bit the bullet and bought a Troll Master. http://www.troll-masterpro.com/ (http://www.troll-masterpro.com/) Now I sit up front and control the kicker from the Captain's seat. Cost a few bucks but man was it worth it. Check it out. You can install it yourself. Good Luck! (Father's Day isn't too far off :wink:.

How much are those units?

[No Reservations]

around 200.00

[106gunner]

How much are those units?
Gundog,
Trollmaster has a couple of different units, but Steelhead is right. They run a couple of hundred (+). But is it every nice to be able to control the trolling speed from up front. Not to mention that you don't have to spend all your time sitting in the rain. If you have a top up that is.They're is also got a "burst" speed element which will give you about 70% of the max troll speed for short spurts for turning or motor mooching, whatever. I wouldn't leave home without it.

[Dinikin]

Need to get Troll Mastaaa

[Gundog]

That seems like a very good value. I have the TR-1 but seldom do I use it much differently than the basic functions that unit has. I do occasionally run mine in reverse when holding on anchor but you could do the same with that unit but the direction would be backwards. The TR-1 has a lot of functions that I never use for my fishing needs. The TR-1 will hold a heading and make corrections though. I guess it depends on your needs that sounds like a good unit for the cost if it works good. It would sure beat hanging on the tiller handle IMHO.

Mike

[honker1]

I saw the figure of $200. But by time you purchase the steering system and then purchase the throttle system you will be closer to $800. I've been using this system for 3 years, and I won't leave home without it. It's almost like having someone else along just to run the boat.:twocents:

[106gunner]

I saw the figure of $200. But by time you purchase the steering system and then purchase the throttle system you will be closer to $800. I've been using this system for 3 years, and I won't leave home without it. It's almost like having someone else along just to run the boat.:twocents:

honker1: You're right. The upscale model with steering +, gets spendy. I checked out Cabella's today. The basic unit, the Trollmaster-02, is $269. That's the unit I have. It doesn't have the steering unit but it sure beats sitting on the gunwales.

[AlseaAssassin]

Well better late than ever I guess but here's my solution to my aching back. After spending three seasons sitting on a throwable cushion I decided to install a trolling seat. I figured I wanted something that was comfortable (let's face it you'll be running that kicker for at least 4 hours a trip), easy to install, won't interfere with my boat cover, and most importantly still have the ability to quickly manuver my kicker (If you fished the close confines of Drano you know the TR-1 is not an option). So I ended up buying two Action quick seat releases and mounted one on my seat pedistal, the other on the transom. The transom mount required a 1/4" aluminum backing plate that I cut several inches larger than the release foot print. This way I won't stress the aluminum in the transom when I lean from one side to the other (I tested it without the backing plate and it did flex the aluminum transom). Pretty easy install, took me about half an hour. One unexpected benefit was that it elevated my ars off the transom so I can actually see over the windshield dramatically improving my visibility. Hope this helps and if you have any questions feel free to ask.

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

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

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

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

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