Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 28
Do-it-yourself
Boat
Suspension
Seats
by Ross Robertson
photos by the author
Fishing is hard work. No, really it is. A day on the lake with
waves and sun does wonders for relieving stress, but it can wear
you out at the same time. On larger lakes, the constant jarring
from rough water can actually cause severe discomfort that
often lasts for days. This is why many years ago I started using
suspension seats in all of my boats. These modified marine seats
originated from school buses but have been modified to work in
boats. The spring ratios are different, and many of the parts and
pieces have been swapped out for stainless steel to avoid rusting.
Fortunately, Smooth Moves Suspension Seats are readily available with many different hardware packages to adapt to nearly
all boats and seats.
Prepping
Your back is often the first to let you know that you are a
candidate for these seats, but a few quick steps will ensure that
your boat can accommodate them.
1. Space
The suspension seat itself will take up additional space. Make
sure you have several inches of clearance behind the seat, so the
seat can be swiveled around or slid forward and backward.
2. Beefing up
The suspension seat takes out so much shock that the
original pedestal is typically the weakest link. Most standard
boat seats come with a 23/8-inch diameter pedestal. Smooth
moves recommends increasing this to a 27/8-inch diameter
pedestal, which they have available in several heights.
28
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • July/August 2013
3. Set Back
The suspension bracket causes the seat to sit farther
forward than the same seat and pedestal without a
suspension bracket. If this is the case in your boat, you can
use a setback plate that will utilize the same holes as the
original pedestal and require no additional drilling.
Once you have determined that you have enough room
to accommodate the suspension seat, it will only take you
about an hour to install the seat. All of the hardware is
included from Smooth Moves with different pedestal and
set back plates available depending on your boat’s exact
needs. A few tools are needed including a #3 Phillips,
a 7/16-inch and ½-inch socket and wrench and allen
wrenches. Loctite is also recommended but not required.
The install
attaching
1. Start by adapter
the seat
plate to the bottom
of your boat seat.
The open track
should be angled
upward towards
the back of the
seat. Four bolts will
secure it.
PFBC Facebook: PaFishandBoat
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013
Straight Talk
Contents
Smallmouth Bass After Dark
Tying the Mouse
Your Fishing Field Guide
One Walleye Pattern Does Not Rule Out Another
Reflecting on the Water
Wading Smallmouth Bass Streams
A Weather Watching Primer for Anglers and Boaters
Notes from the Stream
Onboard Tools and Gadgets
Pennsylvania Anglers Needn’t Go Far to Enjoy Great Fishing for Bass
Do-it-yourself Boat Suspension Seats
Powerboating and Camping
Targeting Big Summer Bluegill
Float-Tube Basics
Bass Fishing Tips from Pennsylvania Pro Anglers
Lower Susquehanna River Flathead Catfish
Deep Water Bluegills by Boat
Summer PLAY Newsletter
Fish-For-Free Benefits New Anglers
The Lampreys: Still Hangin’ Around
Living on the Edge: Trout are Key to Endangered Mussel’s Survival
Currents
Angler’s Notebook
Fishin’ from the Kitchen
Cast & Caught
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - CT1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - CT2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Straight Talk
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Smallmouth Bass After Dark
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Tying the Mouse
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Your Fishing Field Guide
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - One Walleye Pattern Does Not Rule Out Another
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Reflecting on the Water
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Wading Smallmouth Bass Streams
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 18
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - A Weather Watching Primer for Anglers and Boaters
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 20
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 21
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Notes from the Stream
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 23
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Onboard Tools and Gadgets
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 25
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Pennsylvania Anglers Needn’t Go Far to Enjoy Great Fishing for Bass
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 27
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Do-it-yourself Boat Suspension Seats
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 29
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Powerboating and Camping
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 31
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Targeting Big Summer Bluegill
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 33
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Float-Tube Basics
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 35
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Bass Fishing Tips from Pennsylvania Pro Anglers
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 37
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 38
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 39
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Lower Susquehanna River Flathead Catfish
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 41
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Deep Water Bluegills by Boat
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 43
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 44
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Summer PLAY Newsletter
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 46
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 47
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 48
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 49
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 50
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 51
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Fish-For-Free Benefits New Anglers
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 53
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - The Lampreys: Still Hangin’ Around
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 55
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Living on the Edge: Trout are Key to Endangered Mussel’s Survival
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 57
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Currents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 59
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 60
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 61
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 62
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Fishin’ from the Kitchen
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Cast & Caught
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - Cover4
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