Add seating in front of consoles on a bass boat?

[BigBassB]

Has anyone added padding just in front of the consoles on a bass boat for some extra seating space?  I was thinking about adding some buttons and adding a removable cushion to add additional seating for my kids when needed.  Any reason why this wouldn't work?  

[A-Jay]

Not for ANYTHING but idle speed.

MAJOR SAFETY concerns.

I would not reccomend it.

A-Jay

[T-Billy]

^^^THIS^^^ 

[Jig Man]

7 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Not for ANYTHING but idle speed.

MAJOR SAFETY concerns.

I would not reccomend it.

A-Jay

X2.  It would be an accident looking for a place to happen.

[BigBassB]

If you look at the some of the older boats, this is how they were set up.  Is this why that has changed?  

 

[Jig Man]

It changed because the lack of deck and storage space.

[WRB]

Bass boat front deck has a shallow gunnel depth and unsafe to sit on the deck and ride with the boat under power.

If you can have a kid sit with their feet inside cabin on the floor next to the console facing backwards with a handle to hold onto could work. Most boats have a number of passengers the boat is safe on the serial number tag information. 

[MN Fisher]

Think about sitting them on a tonneau cover and driving down the highway...same type of danger of falling off...and at high speeds, water is HARD.

 

As Tom says, have them sit as low as possible facing backwards if you take them with...and obey the capacity label.

[gim]

I have on rare occasion had someone who was fishing with me ask if they could stay seated in the folding chair on the back deck. I told them “only if you want to idle across the lake.”

 

They always move down into the **** pit after I tell them that.

[GaryH]

Talk about a bad idea.. please do everyone a favor especially your family and forget this idea. Look at a fish and sport if you want more seating space.

[Deephaven]

The Ranger reatta includes cushions.  It is definitely deeper than a bass boat, but still not particularly deep.  I let people sit on the rod lockers on my boat, but there is a great railing to hold onto and feels safer than sitting in the seats.

[Vilas15]

25 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

The Ranger reatta includes cushions.  It is definitely deeper than a bass boat, but still not particularly deep.  I let people sit on the rod lockers on my boat, but there is a great railing to hold onto and feels safer than sitting in the seats.

Reata is a "deep V" multispecies boat for sure. There are some fish n ski's that are more bass boat style. OP needs something like a Nitro Z19 sport.

[schplurg]

Back in the day my Dad built big block v-drive and jet boats, you know the old Schiada 19' molds where your entire body from your hip up was above the gunwale and if you sat in the back your legs were right next to the headers.

 

My Dad told me once he and I were riding along in a drag boat he built. He said we did about 100mph (the boat did 106) and he was holding me on his lap in the front seat. He said, "I'd be arrested today if I did that" I basically grew up in these boats.

 

I did see someone fly out of a boat at the Delta once, but there are some gigantic waves if you hit the shipping areas.

 

But ya the OP sounds like a bad idea, same as these old boats do now  

 

Edit to add:

I was in another boat he built and we did about 100 on Trinity Lake. 100 mph in a boat is SCARY. I remember the tach bouncing around like crazy between 8 and 9 grand. Not sure if it was a 454, I think 455.

[slonezp]

On 10/7/2021 at 6:19 PM, gimruis said:

I have on rare occasion had someone who was fishing with me ask if they could stay seated in the folding chair on the back deck. I told them “only if you want to idle across the lake.”

 

They always move down into the **** pit after I tell them that.

I watched a guy in a bass boat, in a folding chair, fall off the front deck, into the drink, from a boat wake.

[gm4511]

If your kids and wife want to go along more, it could be time to consider a multi-species model.  There are many companies selling them so you should be able to find something you all like. 

 

I love the Reata and Angler series from Ranger, but they were too heavy to tow with my suv.  I went with an aluminun Ranger 1782 VS.  I can seat 4 comfortably and 2 more kids can sit on the edge of the back deck with their feet inside the cockpit.   

 

 

 

 

[TnRiver46]

I sat in front of the console  on my boat yesterday while my wife drove. But it’s a center console 

[Smalls]

On 10/7/2021 at 2:35 PM, A-Jay said:

Not for ANYTHING but idle speed.

MAJOR SAFETY concerns.

I would not reccomend it.

A-Jay

Along with being dangerous, it may also be illegal depending on your state. 

[slonezp]

I've been researching hybrid bay boats and many have optional forward facing bow seating with flip up back rests. The cushions are level with the top cap and have either raised or recessed grab rails. That being said, I wouldn't be running 60mph with bow riders.

 

Look up haulover inlet on YouTube and check out what happens to the riders on the bow. Some people are just plain stupid.