What Are the Different Types of Pontoon Boat Seats?

Pontoon boat seats are available in different styles, shapes and sizes, however, there are two basic designs found aboard most pontoon boats: pedestal seats and bench seats. The pedestal seat can be found in both a permanent mount style as well as a more accommodating swivel-type seat often used for fishing as well as for the pilot's seat. The bench-type pontoon boat seats are used to relax and enjoy scenic rides. Offering both comfort and room for two or more passengers, the bench-type pontoon boat seats are also used to store gear in the seat base. The well-equipped pontoon boat is outfitted with both types of seating and in numbers that allow for the maximum number of passengers the size of the boat will safely accommodate.

These boats are used primarily for leisure and taking family cruises on a lake or river. A large boat with a spacious flat deck, pontoon boat seats make up the majority of furniture typically found on board the vessel. Arranged to allow visiting as well as a good view of the surroundings, pontoon boat seats in any design are commonly thickly padded and comfortable as boat seats go. There are often several locations that the pedestal seats can be moved to, allowing for custom seating positions and improved fishing locations on the boat, while the bench seats are usually fixed to a permanent position on the deck.

The captain's seat can be of either design, with the pedestal and bench seating style each providing its own benefits. From the swiveling pedestal pontoon boat seats, a captain can easily turn about and have a clear view of objects in the front and rear of the boat. A bench seat at the captain's position provides room for a romantic couple's voyage with the captain and his first mate as well as a nice platform from which to pass the boat handling skills on to a future captain or grandchild.

The base of the bench pontoon boat seats are equipped to hold such items as life vests and water toys, however, one of the more welcome accessories is an ice chest. By placing the cooler underneath the pontoon boat seats, the ice is shaded from the heat of the sun and able to withstand the warm summer days a little longer. Often a small liquid propane gas tank is stored beneath one of the pontoon boat seats on a vessel equipped with an on-deck gas grill.