Keeping minitoon seat from flying out while towing

[wasabi_VA]

The seat in my Bassbaby has an aluminum frame with 'feet' that are moderately snug in the groove they sit in. This has worked fine while transporting the boat in the bed of my truck since there isn't a lot of wind pulling at it. But soon I will switch to transporting it on a new trailer I'm building and feel I need to secure the frame down a little better. What have others done? I see a lot of Pelican/Bass Hunter style boats have a similar style seat arrangement and hope someone has come up with a simple yet effective way to secure it better in the boat.

 

I am trying to avoid putting yet another strap across it as I'll already have a couple straps holding the boat on the trailer. I'm thinking of something that secures those feet a little better...or something that locks them down, but can be released as needed when I want to move or remove the seat.

Here's a pic. For me I use only 1 of the seats. The base fits into that channel, but I feel wind blast from trailering would blow it out even with the seat folded and snapped.

 

[Fishing Rhino]

Use a C clamp at each end of the boat where you clamp on a trolling motor.  Then, turn the seats so they face backward. Run a ratchet strap tie down from the bow to the stern with the strap between the seat backs and the seat.  Hook the ends on the C clamps.  Tighten it down, then fold the seat backs down, so the wind cannot grab them.

[wasabi_VA]

Thanks, that would work.

 

I'm trying to think of a little fixture or method that would clamp or otherwise apply pressure over the area circled in red. Maybe some kind of spring loaded hook. I thought of a turnbuckle or bungie cord going down to a small hook on the floor, but prefer to not block the area under the seat as I stow stuff there while fishing.

 

I could use a tight bungie or turnbuckle and go from the center of the seat (underneath) to the side to a little pad eye. Don't know...still trying to think of the easiest and least fiddly method....

 

 

[Fishing Rhino]

You could eliminate the C clamps by putting an eye bolt at each end.  They could be placed where they would not interfere with a trolling motor.  In addition to securing the seats while towing the trailer, they could be used for an anchor, or docking the boat.  

 

That would leave you with only the ratchet strap to to secure and release the seats.

Another option would be to use carry handles in place of the eye bolts.  They'd make it easy for two people to move the boat around on dry land.

[kenmitch]

Have you thought about using a marine grade Velcro product? 

[WRB]

Conduit straps that fits the seat bracket tube, stainless steel self taping screws and 3M 5200 sealant, the seats aren't going anywhere. Bungee straps to hold the folding seats down keeps them out of the wind.

Tom

[Pond fisher]

I just run my 2 straps above the seat base rails and have never had a problem. If you are using two straps, why not run them over the seat base?

 

Ken

[wasabi_VA]

The seat base is recessed and the strap won’t hold it down.