Installing Pontoon Captain's Chair - HOW TO

Today we're installing the reclining helm chair from Pontoon Stuff with a sliding seat base. This same process is how we install a variety of captain's chairs, including the low back helm chair from Pontoon Stuff as well. We always recommend through-bolting your seat bases (not screwing) to prevent any accidents or long term damage to the deck. Like and subscribe if you're enjoying our content!
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[@juanbostickgp120]

Your videos are the best!! I will be done with my pontoon this weekend because of you!!!! Thank you Brother

[@tomspontoons]

Thank you so much for the kind words, and for watching the channel. It's the best compliment when folks share that our channel helped them make their project come together. So happy to help!

[@hankkofron8414]

Tom's is my go-to site for pontoon jobs. This clip on installing the helm chair is exactly the way to do it. Good Job TOM!!! Tom helped me with the problem listed below and now all is good

[@tomspontoons]

Thanks so much for the kind words!! Happy to help.

[@BuenoToob]

Love the little tidbits that can make the difference between easy install and pain-in-the-butt. Also, appreciate the detail info (#3 Phillips; 1/4" bolt; fender washer, etc.). Since you do this everyday, we should be able to complete any pontoon refurbishing once you've covered everything. Would love more wiring details, as those are the most confusing, especially from the engine harness to dash hookups. No detail is too small. Thanks again!

[@tomspontoons]

Thanks so much for the feedback! We make videos most days, especially when covering new stuff, components, engines, etc. I will keep making an effort to show what we do for electrical and engine rigging!

[@dannymatthews855]

All of your videos are excellent. I have followed your instruction and installed new carpet and furniture on my 24' Harris Heritage Pontoon with great results. . I got my seats from Pontoon Stuff. The customer service was great and the products are excellent. Thank you so much for guiding me through this restoration..

[@tomspontoons]

Thanks so much for watching and for giving that feedback. We love to hear that we guided folks through their project or even gave them the courage to take it on themselves. I'm bias, but great choice in your seats and dealing with Pontoon Stuff. They really are fantastic people!

[@skylark4901]

I must be a little cringy drilling that first hole into that new flooring you just put down! 😆

[@tomspontoons]

Haha! You get used to it, but the first holes in a new floor are always nerve-wracking! Cutting a 3" hole is an entirely different story!

[@RaeganWallace-zs7ln]

I can’t get under my boat to put locking nuts on the bolts. I have a seat just like this. Is there any other way to support this seat? It’s a 1970 SeaRay Weekender.

[@tomspontoons]

There's no access hatch near it in the floor? You could cut one in near where you want to install it. I don't really mess around with anything fiberglass, so I'm probably not the best person to ask. I just know that running screws into the floor without bolts with nuts and washers is potentially asking for trouble if the seat were to ever rip out or tip while someone is driving, especially at any higher speed.

[@TaoOfKathryn]

I have a bench at the helm now and want to change it out for a captain's chair. Is it possible to do this without changing the marine board and carpet? The boat is in great shape and I don't want to do unnecessary work, but I also don't want to ruin it. I understand there would be holes from the bench in the wrong spot after changing it out. What would we need to do to be sure we don't ruin the carpet or board with a different seat?

[@tomspontoons]

You could definitely swap that out, but like you said you'll have holes (silicone those to keep moisture from rotting them faster), but you'll also be able to see on the carpet where the bench was as there will usually be an imprint and even more so a color difference between the carpet under the bench versus the carpet that's been exposed to use and the sun. It's more of the aesthetics that will show versus any issues with the different seat.

[@rperdue99]

Finally reached this stage of my project! (the end) Is there a reason to not have the chair lock in place facing forward in driving position? I noticed you like to lock it facing backward but did not hear a reason noted. Thanks in advance!

[@tomspontoons]

I just had this question from someone else recently. I started doing that because early on it seemed like every customer asked for it NOT to lock or to lock in a different position. They wanted freedom and to be able to quickly turn and stand if need be. Most can be disabled by flipping the paddle/handle down, but once in a while it’ll pop up and lock in. Generally, they’re not easy to swivel when sitting on them with all my weight, so I’m not concerned with them moving unexpectedly while underway.

[@hankkofron8414]

Love this video, it is the first I've seen that answered a lot of my questions. Especially drilling the holes to the deck smaller for one man tightening underneath. Original chair was damaged by a rodent during the winter. I order a new setup and everything arrived with no instructions. I am still puzzled about how to make adjustments on the seat - The pedestal shaft has some hardware on top that I don't understand. Do you have an email I could ask you a specific question ?

[@tomspontoons]

Glad this video was helpful, and happy you found my email address! I've sent you a reply and I'm sure I can help you troubleshoot that seat base.

[@davidallen9526]

Why would you put the locking position to the rear as opposed to the driving position?

[@tomspontoons]

I used to install them to lock facing forward, but I had numerous complaints about the seat getting stuck facing forward and being a pain to swivel easily/quickly to sit or stand. For instance, if needing to get up from the helm quickly to catch a dock on the port side, and being stuck facing forward, needing to reach down to release it in order to swivel. As those mechanisms age they tend to lock in all the time instead of staying in the unlocked position.

[@davidallen9526]

@@tomspontoons Tom, thanks for the quick response. Appreciate the reasons you have changed from forward locking. Nothing like experience to gain knowledge! Great explanation man. Given the age of the video I hadn't expected a reply for who knows how long. You staying on top of your channel like this speaks volumes of your ethics. Have a good weekend sir!

[@tomspontoons]

@@davidallen9526 I always tell folks that I plan to keep responding to questions and comments as long as I can afford the time. I think it really helps to grow the channel and if we can do that it'll give me even more time to devote to it to make it the best it can be in terms of content and responsiveness. As long as I can keep up with the projects we do that pay the bills then I will keep up with KZbin too! Thanks for watching and for the kind words!!

[@BBKConstruction]

That’s a pretty sweet boat! Is that custom upholstery with two corgis on that seat. I spotted the Easter egg!

[@tomspontoons]

Indeed this boat is SWEET! Custom upholstery and embroidery can make for awesome customization!

[@user-oq9hw6jr7g]

Great videos! I am looking for the shock used on the sun deck seat can you help me out here? Thanks

[@tomspontoons]

Thanks! I don’t have a video on those gas struts, but I’ll make sure to make one on the next sundeck we install coming up this week. The main thing is just leaving room for it to close without the gas strut stopping it. I err on the side of caution there!

[@jasonhudak21]

Hi! Is there a link for all of these parts included with the chair? Like the mounting parts along with the Swivl-Eze Pedestal w/ Seat Slider as well? Thank you!

[@tomspontoons]

All of our seating components can be found on PontoonStuff.com …I will work on getting links in the description for these sort of things!!

[@jasonhudak21]

@@tomspontoons awesome thanks for the quick reply!

[@tomspontoons]

No problem! Happy to help!

[@jasonhudak21]

@@tomspontoons do you recommend any well-sounding stereo system for the pontoon? Like what center console to get or speakers?

[@tomspontoons]

@@jasonhudak21 I’ve had great luck with the sound and price of the Deckmate stereo and speakers. We do all Bluetooth setups because they don’t tend to have moisture issues like the CD player and removable face styles. Lately we’ve installed some of the Fusion stereos and they’ve been great too for the price!

[@robbienardelli4272]

Any alternative part numbers or suggestions due to pontoon stuff not having these specific mounting items in stock? Thank you

[@tomspontoons]

I’ve had to resort to Amazon at times when Pontoon Stuff is out of stock. Or google search “sliding boat seat pedestal”.

[@robbienardelli4272]

@@tomspontoons Thanks man, and is 5X12 mounting pattern pretty standard with most of the sliding boat seat pedestals?

[@tomspontoons]

@@robbienardelli4272 any of those longer style sliding seat brackets will fit the Pontoon Stuff helm chairs. I’ve used at least 4 different brands over the last couple years and they’ve all worked well.

[@robbienardelli4272]

@@tomspontoons Thanks for all the help man, much appreciated!

[@tomspontoons]

@@robbienardelli4272 that’s what I’m here for!