I'm in the process of purchasing a pedestal seat for my boat, and I'm not sure what to get.  My current setup is a 15.5' bass tracker with fold-down style seats on about 13" posts.  I almost never sit down while fishing, but I like to have the seat in so I have something to steady myself when I am on the trolling motor or if the boat is rocking around.  It's saved me from going in the drink a few times.  I like the Springfield king-pin posi-lock set up, but it comes threaded or unthreaded.  Will the unthreaded spin in the base, or is there some other mechanism to keep it from doing that?  Also, how important is the seat that you get?  Do you really sit on it, or just kind of lean up against it?  Any insight into what's out there, good/bad quality etc. would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

Welcome aboard!

8-)

I use the hydralic adjustable bicycle seat in my Skeeter. Seldom do I sit on it. Just lean and grab it when I need to keep myself from going over due to waves.

Thanks.  Does anyone else have anything they recommend to purchase and/or stay away from?

The threaded and unthreaded pedestals will depend on your boat.  My Stratos uses threaded pedestals but none of my other boats in the past have.  If you don't have threaded pedestals now, then don't buy threaded pedestals.  I recently bought a "butt" seat for my boat and I went to BPS and had them actually put the pedestal into one of the floor model Trackers so I could make sure it was the height for me.  As far as the seat itself, the only thing I would tell you is don't go too cheap.  You do usually get what you pay for and I have seen some of my buddies seats that have not held up well and others that have.  Got to BPS website and check the reviews on several seats and you'll see what I mean.  I hope this has helped.

You're basically referring to the pin type pedestal bases.  With the threaded type, the pedestal is less likely to come out if you're bouncing down a rough lake.  In fact,  they can have a tendency to seize themselves into the base if they're not removed regularily and the threads and base cleaned.  The straight pin type are easy to remove but have been known to pop out on a rough ride across the lake or going to the lake with the boat on the trailer.

The unthreaded pin type can also experience wear on the bushing in the base over time making the thing wobbly.  

Good info.  Is there any appreciable quality difference between Springfield and Swivel-Eze?  Also, do any of you know where I could just get some 1.77" aluminum tube?  It seems like it is an odd size.

Try these guys. Not sure if they have that exact size, but they have a lot of structural aluminum tubing.

http://www.hollaender.com/?page_id=EC359A3C-0579-7DF3-2BE1D1DDF997D4AE