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worrell

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So we have the 2020 Bennington salt, water series. I realize that the bottom opening of the gate on the front of the boat is there if you use a trolling motor, my concern is a small child slipping through there when the boat is moving. Should I just put an ice chest in front of that?

My second question is about the four swivel fishing chairs. I’m so bummed that you cannot sit in these while the boat is moving so I feel like that’s four wasted seats. Should I put beanbag chairs in if we have about 10 people on the boat and where should I place the beanbag chairs? As I mentioned- I’m nervous about that bottom opening of that front gate.
 
Pics for reference about the opening on the front gate and about extra seating since the swivel chairs are useless while the boat is moving
 

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I don't know your model very well but those are legitimate concerns. However - any swivel seat anywhere on any boat is going to be dicey if you've got a bumpy ride (waves, wake etc). I have one amidship and I've thrown a full grown adult man out of it hitting some wake. Bench, lounge or fixed captains chairs are really the only stable seats I'd put my kids in while running.

As far as the front gate goes - you don't need to overthink it, it's an opening and as such kids should be instructed to stay away from it while running. If they're that small they probably should an adult nearby anyhow to keep them from doing something dangerous. Blocking the hole is fine but who is keeping them from standing up or hanging over the fence?
 
If it was me I’d price out a new gate, or I’d rig up a piece of black starboard and hang it on the like a French cleat. A strap around the starboard and gate would keep the wind from blowing it while underway. Basic but it would so the job.
 
Potomacbassin’ said:
I don't know your model very well but those are legitimate concerns. However - any swivel seat anywhere on any boat is going to be dicey if you've got a bumpy ride (waves, wake etc). I have one amidship and I've thrown a full grown adult man out of it hitting some wake. Bench, lounge or fixed captains chairs are really the only stable seats I'd put my kids in while running.

As far as the front gate goes - you don't need to overthink it, it's an opening and as such kids should be instructed to stay away from it while running. If they're that small they probably should an adult nearby anyhow to keep them from doing something dangerous. Blocking the hole is fine but who is keeping them from standing up or hanging over the fence?
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Thank you for your reply- I ordered some replacement 9 inch poles to make the seats lower and I believe to lock the swivel hoping we can still use those fishing chairs. I’m just not to use those while the boat is moving and if it’s Coast Guard approved or not . As far as the children, they are old enough to know better the youngest is seven. I was just concerned if they were sitting on a beanbag chair and it slid that they could go out that gate opening so that’s why I believe we’re just going to put an ice chest there and tie strap it down. Does that seem like a reasonable idea or do you have any other suggestions?
 
You may consider an adjustable height pedestal vs a fixed! I don't see how anything would slide forward unless you are WOT at 40mph plus and do a full stop/reverse thrust. Cooler - it will slide towards the rear when going forward - combo of speed and tilt - maybe a rubber mat would help - though if not trolling, like the idea of some King/Star Board bolted on - problem solved. Always think resale....
 
A ton of people, myself included, have had those chairs in fishing boats that typically go faster than your pontoon. I wouldn’t have a problem using them.
 
worrell said:
Thank you for your reply- I ordered some replacement 9 inch poles to make the seats lower and I believe to lock the swivel hoping we can still use those fishing chairs. I’m just not to use those while the boat is moving and if it’s Coast Guard approved or not . As far as the children, they are old enough to know better the youngest is seven. I was just concerned if they were sitting on a beanbag chair and it slid that they could go out that gate opening so that’s why I believe we’re just going to put an ice chest there and tie strap it down. Does that seem like a reasonable idea or do you have any other suggestions?
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It's all about your particular circumstances - how small your kids are, how well they listen, how frequently they horseplay while running, how fast you are going and how erratic conditions are. None of us can put ourselves in your exact situation to know, so I would just use your best judgment. When my kids were younger I captained with an iron fist until they proved they weren't total idiots and got experience being on a moving boat. As they got their sea legs I could trust them more and nowadays the older one drives the boat.

Making the kids aware of the hazards of boating and building up that experience is IMO way better in the long run than any obstacle could provide.
 
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