Leaning Post or Flip Flop Seating..?

[kraw2]

I need input on what seating to use. Most of the time older guy's like me will be using the boat but I like the leaning post with cooler underneath.

What do you think?

[gran398]

One vote for leaning post

[akbridge]

I prefer the look and function of a leaning post.  I have a flip flop cooler.  It works well, has plenty of storage, and is comfy to sit on except in rough seas.  One nice thing about a leaning post is the rod holders off the back.  That is hard to get that with the cooler and still keep it functional in both directions.  I would go with a leaning post if money wasn't an issue.  But you can generally find a flip flop cooler used on Craigslist fairly cheap.

[CTsalt12]

I love my flip flop seat.  Only complaint is that sometimes its too low to see over windshield, but I usually stand up when going full throttle where I need full visibility anyway.  Personally I'd go cooler seat over leaning post for comfort and utility.  Leaning post has rod holders but how many of
Those do you really need?  You probably have 2 in stern and a couple on each side of console
Anyway.  A cooler provides a Ton of Storage dry or not, much more than a leaning
Post compartment, though I guess you can put a cooler under it.  You'll also find being able to sit with a backrest facing the rear of boat when fishing or hanging out is really nice.

[Capt. Bob]

Worst of all worlds.

Bimini top
Flip back cooler and...
Rod holders

[Skoot]

Id say leaning post!

I think thats a really good idea with the rod holders on the back of the the flip-flop seat.

[flounderpounder225]

Leaning post seating for me, gets you up high when you want to sit, easy to stand in front of, and cooler goes underneath, and the guy down on the West Coast FL, is buliding them for about the same price as the high end cooler flip/flop seating, last time in TMC Ronnie quoted me around $375 I think for the nice stainless frame cooler seating, the Leaning post guy is around that same price?

[Georgie]

Been struggling with the same question for my 18 wellcraft and my father's 170.   I vote leaning post for rebuilt/updated boats and cooler seat for classic/vintage look, unfortuantely that doesn't really help you much b/c your rebuilt beauty is a straight-up combination of both!  Functionality is nearly the same, though bad knees or back might push someone more towards seat vs. post (my father has a bad back and HATED the leaning post in his 170 and ultimately "pirated" my pedestal seats from the 246CCC   ).  Either way, I'd recommend it have rod holders that don't conflict with the bimini.  Leaning posts that have flip-up cushions w/storage compartments are also really nice!  There's NEVER enough storage on a boat.

[daniel123]

I faced the same dilemma with the 1998 200 Osprey I bought last spring, which had a stock flip-flop. After fighting with my son for backrest position when trolling while I drove (facing forward) and he watched baits/rods (facing aft), I settled it by going with a leaning post. Since I have a Fishmaster T-top, which I like and was able install myself, I went with their leaning post ($795). I yanked the flip-flop, filled the holes in the sole with 5200, and installed the learning post the next afternoon. I like the height/visibility it gives me while underway and, by inserting the portable backrest, I can still hop up on it and use the flip-down footrest and back to relieve my knees and spine. I also like being able to use a portable cooler -- which nests under the leaning post -- to bring perishables (food or bait) aboard and offload without transferring everything back and forth to a built-in cooler, and the launcher-style rod holders and two cup holders are handy, as is the storage compartment under the flip-up seat pad. That said, I now have a stock Aquasport flip-flop seat (with a torn seat cover) for sale. Actually, I have a (well worn but serviceable) stock flip-flop seat from the 1971 170 I rebuilt last year as well, if anyone is interested...

[kraw2]

Thanks for the input. I'm going with fsmarine.com. His prices are very good and he was very nice to talk with. Leaning post it is..!

[Capt. Bob]

Id say leaning post!

I think thats a really good idea with the rod holders on the back of the the flip-flop seat.

The cooler seat was standard on the 86 170. It's the type you have to lift out and rotate 180 degrees for the "flip" that made it very sturdy and building the rear rod rack was easy back then. I can't remember ever turning it around so it worked out great. I have ridden in a friend's 210 Sea Pro with a leaning post and it was very comfortable.

I'd vote for a post also.

[seabob4]

What Pete's 225 has is the killer...



Flip the base up, contoured leaning post.  Flip it down?  Cushy seat, and has a fold up foot rest.  Yeah, it's a bit big for the smaller boats, but the concept...

[Fletch170]

Kraw,

 I have the 32" Mini from Birdsall. I have the under seat storage option. It fits perfectly on the 17, and fits a nice size cooler underneath. The quality is awesome, IMO, worth the moolah.

http://www.marineproducts.net/products/ ... ncher.html

[kraw2]

My local tower shop agreed to make one for 450.00. 30" with white pleated vinyl, welded foot rest, 0 degree rod holders with grab bar and a welded bar on the bottom to hold the cooler stable. The bar is low enough to lift the cooler in and out and I have the non slip pads to go under the cooler.
 He said the straps just don't last long. He said with the little boat you couldn't walk behind the LP with angled rod holders. Makes sense.

He also makes strorage bags the hang on the leaning post.