Two front deck seats

What is the minimum distance two seats need to be apart in order for both people to comfortably fish? My little Tracker doesn't have a wide front deck and I'm a big guy so I don't know if I have room to pull it off. I have the options of moving the seats back, which would give me more room, but it would increase the distance to the TM but I think I have enough cable to move back, plus I'm going to upgrade before spring.

My plan this winter is to trick my Bass Tracker out to be a all season, all technique crappie rig. I plan to get a i pilot link TM, install rod holders front and back and try to squeeze two seats onto that deck.

I guess one cheek hanging over the water will make me pay more attention. :)

If I'm not mistaken most are around 34" apart. I no longer have it but this is how my Bass Tracker was set up. Just before I sold it I did away with the double seat base. I added 2 individual mounting plates to the deck it self. I mounted them back from the bow a few inches behind the center seat post. This seemed to work better for me. Fairly easy to do as the front deck unscrews easily. Good luck hope this helps.Attachment 280244Attachment 280245Attachment 280246

I would recommend you look into a Millennium Side Kick dual seat bracket. It will let you vary the distance between the seats and the distance back. I and my clients love mine.


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If the deck on the tracker indeed comes up easily like crumpdoc says then I would go with double seat bases, at least 31 inches apart. I have a sidekick for my small boat and the only issue is when slid all the way together at 30 inches (base to base) you have to face the stern, climb in the seat and swing to the outside over the sides of the gunwales to face forward. If you don't think mounting double seat bases will be easy enough, then look into a low profile double seat mount, that way you can still get into the seats with out climbing over the tubing frame and enter the seats from the middle. Again, this is my opinion based off my experience in a small aluminum boat with a narrow deck 52" wide, my deck is riveted down and mounting double seat bases would require using fast rivets to secure.

Also, keep in mind the further you move your seats back the further your rod holders will be in the boat, meaning if you fish 14 foot rods and 3 feet of rod is in the boat then you only have 11' of rod out away from the boat and TM.

Thanks for all the replies. You all have given me plenty of food for thought. I haven't taken the deck out of my boat so I don't know how easy they are to remove. I'm quite certain that it's just screwed down to the aluminum frame underneath. I think on a Tracker that the front deck is plywood and the rear deck is aluminum.

Crumpdoc, the pictures are awesome, thanks for that.

I think it looks great


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Individual floor seat bases is the way to go. A little winter project, that really isn't expensive, nor too time consuming. The feeling of not having to worry about center bars, supports, allows for a safer and better fishing platform.
As for the width, the wider the better. Also, you want to fish comfortably and safely, so don't fret it. Longer rods can be purchased to make up for the inches of comfort that you have gained!!

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"2 buckets and 2 big guys" makes an effective template ...

Don't forget to spin both ways to see where your knees bind during testing ...

And "knees binding" means against rod holders, rod butts, other "big guy", etc ...

Rickie

Having two seats up front is awesome but I wanted to mention something; when you install your two new bases into the deck, don't just screw them down thinking they will hold you. Last weekend I was thrown into the water when my seat base broke loose from the deck. 53 deg water on a 27 deg day is COLD! It was hard as heck to get back into the boat so thank God I was wearing my PFD at the time and had help climbing back in. After I got dry and warm back at camp, I reinforced the base by drilling 3/4" holes for each screw location and using large toggle bolts through the deck. All the rocking back and forth combined with the moisture from carpet etc seeping into the screw holes finally took it's tole so don't make this mistake, do it right the first time. Here's a pick of the broken base...

Attachment 280293

I just got done putting in two bases into a tracker. Mine is 99 model, 15.5 foot. The front deck screws off no trouble. I would take the others advise with templates to see where you want to sit at.

Are the screws just down each side or are there screws in the center as well? I haven't looked closely yet but I don't remember seeing very many screw heads.

Thanks for the post and advice Mitserv, because I had considered screwing the bases in from the top. I'm gonna fall in the water one of these days, but I'd like for it to be accidental, not from my lack of effort installing a base.

Rickie, I've got 2 buckets, so I'll just have to borrow one big guy. Good idea. I may end up having to split my boat down the middle and add a foot or two. :)

Thanks to you all for replying to my thread with much needed assistance.

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Originally Posted by FurFlyin

Are the screws just down each side or are there screws in the center as well? I haven't looked closely yet but I don't remember seeing very many screw heads.

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You were correct earlier in your statement that the screw run through the deck and fasten to the aluminum frame. The screws are down the sides as well as in the middle contouring the frame work of your storage. You will have to "part" the carpet and look closely. Definitely very doable. Removing the deck and bolting down the bases is the only option to get it done right. I'm 300+ lbs and had no issues.

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Originally Posted by crumpdoc

You were correct earlier in your statement that the screw run through the deck and fasten to the aluminum frame. The screws are down the sides as well as in the middle contouring the frame work of your storage. You will have to "part" the carpet and look closely. Definitely very doable. Removing the deck and bolting down the bases is the only option to get it done right. I'm 300+ lbs and had no issues.

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Thanks. I'll definitely go that route. I'm in the 290lb range so I don't want to mess this up.

You mentioned a new i-Pilot TM, I have the Minn Kota Terrova. I can operate it from anywhere in the boat with the remote. I don't have a foot pedal, doubt I will ever buy one. Only reason would be if I was standing and bass fishing.
you can move back to have the spacing you need, without worry about the TM.

Before you cut any holes, look underneath and make sure your not on top of a cross member. The plates extend through the deck about 2.5"

I have two bases that I put in my ranger. Now I wish I had bought the Side Kick to use, the reason being that if I sell my boat most people would not want the three seat bases in the boat, and it may make it harder to sell unless they are a die hard crappie fisherman like the rest of us.

I use to be hesitant to make modifications to my boat because of future resale value. Finally said to heck with it, it's my boat. Been modifying it like I want it and enjoying it much more.

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Originally Posted by Lane47

You mentioned a new i-Pilot TM, I have the Minn Kota Terrova. I can operate it from anywhere in the boat with the remote. I don't have a foot pedal, doubt I will ever buy one. Only reason would be if I was standing and bass fishing.
you can move back to have the spacing you need, without worry about the TM.

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Glad you pointed that out. I didn't think about it. Thanks

CrappieFlopper, I don't think it will take away enough value to matter on my boat. Actually I see it as a plus, and not just for crappie fishing. It would be great for a dad to take his young son out bream or catfishing. Have them sitting right beside you... Now a sho nuf Lake G green trout weekend warrior tournament fisherman might not want three bases, but I think everyone else would be okay with it.

Will not hurt fish ability just a little different t look.:fish