Introduction
Pontoon captain chairs are a must-have for avid fishermen, waterway adventurers, and outdoor lovers. Captain chairs use a pillowed seat cushion with a mix of soft and dense marine foams. They’re relatively inexpensive, easy to repair, and incredibly versatile. Boat enthusiasts that fancy long trips and extended periods on the water will benefit from some of the plush cushions that will be reviewed further down this article.
Pontoon boat captain chairs come in a vast span of sizes, with various layouts and details geared towards specific tasks. The vast majority of these captain chairs are designed for anglers, and they are comfortable with varying designs and styles.
This article will review 10 of the best pontoon boat captain chairs available on the market, ranging from small and compact models to more extravagant models.
Advantages Of Captain Seats
Captain seats make for great seating and adequate lumbar support. Below are some of the notable advantages of a captain seat.
- Captain seats are easily adjustable and can be reclined depending on the user’s preference.
- Captain offers better lumbar support.
- They are carved for each individual, so there’s more comfort.
- Captain seats are premium-looking aesthetically.
- They allow the third passenger ample space to stretch their legs.
- The back of a captain’s chair is contoured to give ample space for the third passenger.
- They are easily movable to accommodate other passengers.
Disadvantages Of Captain Seats
Although captain seats have a lot of advantages, they still have some cons that are important to note before investing in one.
- Captain seats cannot be tumbled forward, limiting access to the third row.
- They can be pretty expensive.
- The middle space between captain seats is usually wasted because the seats are individually placed.
- Captain seats cannot be folded individually to have better luggage space.
Top 10 Pontoon Boat Captain Chairs
Pontoon captain chairs come in various styles depending on the person’s individual preference and financial capability. The following paragraph will review some of the best pontoon captain chairs.
Leader Accessories Captain Bucket Seats
Leader accessories are upholstered with the finest 28oz marine-grade vinyl. The seat has ultra-plush cushions that adequately pad the chair’s surface. It has an ergonomic design that gives the first mate’s back a proper alignment while supporting the back, which prevents back pain.
It has a backrest cut-out along the chair’s bottom half, allowing air to flow through the seat freely. The adequate airflow will reduce sweat produced during the ride. Leader captain chairs have a flip-up bolster that adds height to the seats so that users can adjust them to their preference. It is available in five colors, featuring stainless steel hardware underneath.
PROS
- The comprehensive color options give the user’s more choices.
- The ergonomic design is helpful to the back.
- It has a high-impact rotational molded seat frame.
CONS
- The sides of the captain seats don’t align properly.
Tempress Elite High Back Helm Seat
Tempress Elite High Back is a premium captain chair with a roto-molded seat that uses 30oz marine-grade vinyl. The marine-grade vinyl is resistant to UV and damage from moisture. It has a reinforced framework that supports heavier weights. The seat silhouette is one feature that sets the Tempress Elite High Back apart.
It has built-in lumbar support, which keeps the lower back in good shape alignment. It also features a cut-out backseat just like the leader accessories captain seats. The captain seat is free to move around because it doesn’t have an extended armrest. It has ultra-plush padding that gives the best responsive cushion.
PROS
- It has built-in lumbar bolster and a rolled cover edge.
- The captain seat is made out of materials built to tolerate the vigor of marine use.
- Tempress Elite captain seat is easy to mount with a backside grab handle.
CONS
- Customers complained of poor packaging upon delivery.
Wise Pilot Chair
The wise pilot chair is an easy-to-adjust pedestal seat with a sleek silhouette. It doesn’t take up floor space, and it has cushioned seats. Although the cushioned seats look thinner than other captain seats, they provide as much comfort with high-density foams. The foams are located just beneath the high-grade marine upholstery.
The wise Pilot Chair armrest isn’t as extensive as bucket seat chairs, allowing the user to move around without any restrictions from the side pads. The seat has unrivaled sophistication because of a single gray logo and sleek stitch work.
PROS
- Wise Pilot rests on a pedestal base that swivels full 360°.
- The design is very sleek.
- The boat’s armrests are not restrictive.
CONS
- The seats fall apart too quickly.
Wise Baja Series
Wise Baja Series has a silhouette similar to the leader accessories captain seats. It has a flip-up bolster that provides excellent support for long trips. This captain seat is upholstered with premium marine vinyl that packs a high-density foam. The block offers responsive cushioning that gives ultimate comfort to the body.
Wise Baja Series bucket seats are ergonomic and made to adapt to the user’s body. It comes with a flip-up bolster that supports the user’s lower thighs or flip-up to give the captain a better height. Wise Baja is also designed to be durable, comfortable, and versatile.
PROS
- It has premium vinyl that is double stitched, preventing wear and tear.
- The premium marine vinyl has high-density foams.
CONS
- The customer service is poor.
Seamander Pontoon Bucket Seat
Seamander will improve the pontoon’s boat interior aesthetics. It guarantees a relaxing and comfortable ride. It has neat foam pad coated with heavy-duty marine-grade vinyl. The Seamander offers its users the opportunity to use low back seating. The seat’s dimension is 19.7-inches in height, 22.2-inches in width, and seat depth is 21.7-inches.
Seamander Pontoon Bucket Seat has a soft-to-the-touch vinyl that is marine grade and UV resistant. The UV-resistant capability of the seat ensures that it will look fresh for a long time. On top of the Seamander seat, there is a high-density plastic roto-molded frame that keeps the seat intact.
PROS
- The Seamander is a plush and elegant captain seat.
- It has a seven-inch backrest and a 22.2-inch wide seat.
- The seat is soft to the touch marine grade.
CONS
- The Seamander captain seat is not mold resistant.
- The seat is relatively smallish.
Moeller Marine
Moeller Marine is proof that a premium-looking captain seat doesn’t need to cost a fortune. The product offers a good balance between function, comfort, and affordability. It is made using marine-grade vinyl, which has a smooth feel that is non-abrasive to the skin. The seat stability is ensured by the UV stabilizer the seat possesses. The material also provides adequate protection against cracks.
Moeller Marine has a double-wall design that adds to its durability. The white color option of the seat portrays class, elegance, and pristine when installed on the pontoon boat. The molding of the arm is precise, with a 13.5-inch backrest.
PROS
- The seat is foldable and luxurious.
- It has a neat white design which gives a classic and minimalist outlook.
- It has a UV stabilized marine-grade vinyl seating platform.
- The price is more affordable than most in its range.
CONS
- The installation instructions are confusing.
- It is narrow.
MSC Bucket Pontoon Boat Seat
People searching for an elegant and comfortable captain seat should consider the MSC pontoon seat. The chair hugs the user’s body perfectly and has a recliner backrest. The arm of the chair flows from the bucket side seat top allowing users the opportunity to rest their arms comfortably. MSC Bucket also has high compression seats similar to those on leading brands.
It uses marine-grade vinyl instead of ordinary material for the seat cover. It is important to note that the product features excellent mildew resistance and UV treatment. These features improve the seat’s life and ensure the health and safety of its users.
PROS
- The seat cover is UV, mildew resistant.
- It has a robust roto-molded polypropylene seat frame.
- The elegant design of the seat improves the boat’s aesthetics.
CONS
- It is narrower than most pontoon captain seats.
- There are issues with hardware missing upon delivery.
Wise 8WD120LS
Wise 8WD120LS makes the piloting of a pontoon boat much easier due to its comfortable build. It is designed for leisure boaters with its simple design, similar to other overtone pontoon chairs. The padding is high-density and high-compression, which supports the back. The padding is excellent for relieving pressure and guarantee optimal comfort.
One doesn’t have to worry about the color fading and mildew formation. It comes with advanced mildew stoppers that adequately prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms. The seat is protected from ultraviolet light because of its UV treatment. Wise 8WD120LS has a solid polypropylene structure that utilizes a unique injection molding system.
PROS
- It has high compression and high-density padding.
- Wise 8WD120LS has a marine grade and UV resistant vinyl cover.
- The seat frame can withstand high impacts.
CONS
- It is not mold resistant.
- The price is on the high side.
NorthCaptain S1 Deluxe
NorthCaptain is an excellent choice for those that want to use their boats for fishing purposes. The materials used in making the seats reflect superior quality, ensuring that seats will last long. NorthCaptain comes with an injection-molded plastic frame that can withstand high impacts while providing a weight capacity of 200 pounds.
NorthCaptain S1 Deluxe cover of UV-resistant polypropylene, which can repel damage in the sun’s heat. The seats have two aluminum hinges with a collapsible design. This allows for easy folding of the chair. It has a high back design which is very comfortable and supports the back.
PROS
- NorthCaptain S1 Deluxe comes with two seats.
- It has a high-impact molded plastic frame, which offers excellent relief.
- The cushioning is quite comfortable.
- It is easy to mount.
CONS
- The screws are prone to rust.
North Captain T1 Deluxe
NorthCaptainT1 Deluxe is another excellent and high-quality boat seating option. It comes with two seats, which means that people would get more value for their money. The seats can also be installed in separate locations. North Captain T1 has dense foam padding, which is thick and very comfortable. So, even if one sits for a long time, they won’t feel the strain on their backs.
It remains compressed even when frequently used, unlike other lower-quality seats. The seat is foldable and collapsible for when it’s not being used. North Captain Cover is made using marine-grade vinyl, making it an excellent choice for heavy-duty boaters. The fabric is durable, easy to clean, and stylish.
PROS
- The dense foam padding improves the comfort of the seat.
- It offers excellent value for money.
- The package includes double seats.
- It provides multiple mounting options.
- The seat’s cover is made using marine-grade vinyl.
CONS
- The foundation is made out of plastic.
Conclusion
One of the enjoyable aspects of going on a boating trip is having a plush and comfortable chair that will support the back throughout the journey. Pontoon boat captain chairs are made of the best marine-grade vinyl materials that keep the back in perfect alignment while allowing air ventilation. Even better, pontoon boat captain chairs are generally inexpensive and readily available.