i heard of someone using tractor seats for there boat as air ride seats. I was wondering if anyone else has seen or heard of such a thing?

Farm tractor seats, Im not familiar with the current models. I have seen a spring aluminum seat, that I believe will eventually crack and break. Its built in the shape of a U laying on its side. Box style bases are probably the best mounting mechanism.

There are other strut type posts that either use air or gas and may or may not have a secondary coil spring. Those units are taller and often set up to use on bass boats.

Air seats for commercial trucks are capable of doing the job, but sharp jolts can bottom out the seat, which is a slaming motion on the spine.

Unless youre a guide, Id look at the third option. Its very high tech, but cheap. Go to your Les Schwab tire store and order an 8 inch inner tube for the smallest trailer tires or wheel barrows. Inflate it about half way. It will keep your tailbone off the point of impact. If you have an extremely large build, get a 10 or 12 inch.

Truck seats come in many different ways...........all cost a bit. You would want one that height adj is seperate from the ride stiffness.

They make reasonably decent seats for boats. Compare truck / boat see what fits. Most large truck dealers have display models you can look at.

Stop by the Wooldridge plant...................


Air ride seat

Here's another option. I put this seat system in my walleye boat in 2005 and it was the best rigging investment I have made. This is a great seat system and reasonably priced. Took less than an hour to install a pair in my tourney boat and Brett is a great guy to work with to get exactly what you need..

http://www.smoothmovesseats.com/


Good seat systems are a great thing..RJ in Montana

what about corrosion? How long are these seats lasting in a boat that sees saltwater often?

The suspension mechanism on those smoothride seats look just like the tractor seats which cost about $100.00 each. Glyde Ride seats are very similiar as well.
A couple years ago, I saw a boat where the guy took the tractor seat suspension mech and bolted a different seat to it. he said they worked great and for the price you can replace them 3 times for the price of the smoothride seat suspensions.

Here's a link to a page describing how one guy installed the tractor seat suspensions in his boat.

http://www.dwfonline.com/Articles/poor_mans_glyde_ryde_seats.htm


steve

No doubt the tractor seat system from Northern Tool or other implement retailer is going to be cheaper..and if thats what you are looking for is the "cheapest" method to get some suspension then the Smoothmoves or GlydeRyde systems are not for you. However, if you are looking for a seat system that has proven itself in extreme marine conditions with thousands of marine customers (between the two companies) and is going to be supported and designed to be easily installed in your boat using the same hole patterns and OEM standards that boat manufacturer's use then the Smoothmoves or GlydeRyde systems should be considered. They are both similar in design and function but differ when it comes to price, the Smoothmoves will put you out about $250-$300/side while the GlydeRyde system will set you back about $400/side. One upside to the GlydeRyde system is that they do make a stainless version and it may be an even better option for you guys that spend a lot of time in the salt..I think these run somewhere in the $500-$550 range per side.

thanks for the info everyone I need something that wont rust up on me so the hydo glide looks the best. thanks

check out the stabi craft site and see what they use, a gas charged piston pedestal system. looks pretty sweet to me, leaves more room in the boat and I would think it weighs considerably less than the other systems.