Last updated: August 20, 2026
Tempress is one of those brands whose seats you have probably sat in without noticing the name, because they turn up as original equipment on a lot of aluminum fishing boats and small center consoles. The company has been building marine seating and hatches since the early seventies, and the current lineup splits cleanly into three families that suit three different kinds of boating.
The confusion for buyers is that the model names describe features rather than sizes, so All Weather, NaviStyle and ProBax sound like trim levels when they are actually different seats for different jobs. This guide sorts out which is which and how they mount.
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Quick Answer
Which Tempress boat seat fits your deck?
- All Weather: the workhorse folding seat for open aluminum boats and utility hulls.
- NaviStyle: more shaping, lumbar curve and tapered sides, with a no pinch locking hinge.
- ProBax: posture focused shell for people who sit for long stretches.
- High back or low back is the second decision, and it changes how the seat sits under a cover.
Bottom line: All Weather for a fishing boat, NaviStyle for a boat you ride in, ProBax if back support is the priority.
How Tempress Builds Its Seats
Tempress states that its seats are built on polypropylene plastic shells with marine grade foam and vinyl in the twenty eight to thirty ounce range, using stainless steel screws and rivets. That combination is the reason these seats show up as factory equipment: a polymer shell cannot rot the way a plywood substrate can, and stainless fasteners do not bleed rust down the seat.
The vinyl weight matters more than it sounds. Heavier marine vinyl resists cracking at the seams and stitch lines, which is where nearly every boat seat fails first once the sun has been working on it for a few seasons.
Bolt Pattern and Mounting
Tempress publishes a universal five and a quarter inch square bolt hole pattern under its seats. That is the same pattern most standard swivels and slides are drilled or slotted for, which is why these seats generally drop straight onto existing hardware.
Measure your own plate center to center anyway before ordering. Older boats collect mismatched parts, and a slotted swivel plate is the easy fix if your pattern is a fraction off. Our seat mounting guide covers how to measure and what adapters exist.
The Three Families Explained
All Weather is the utility line: a straightforward folding seat with durable vinyl, aimed at open boats that live outdoors and get used hard. NaviStyle adds shaping, with subtle curves for lumbar support, tapered sides for lateral movement, and a hinge Tempress describes as a no pinch design with automatic locking. ProBax is the posture line, built around patented seating technology intended to support the spine over long sitting sessions.
Each family is offered in high back and low back versions, and that choice is about visibility, cover clearance and how much shoulder support you want rather than about quality.
High Back or Low Back
A high back supports the shoulders and is more comfortable on long rides, but it blocks sightlines behind you and tents a trailerable cover if it does not fold. A low back keeps the deck open and visibility clear, which is why casting decks and small tillers usually run low backs.
If the boat is stored under a cover all winter, confirm the seat folds and folds flat. A seat that only half folds still pushes the cover into a shape that collects water.
Picks by Situation
Aluminum Fishing Boats and Utility Hulls
This is the All Weather case. Durable vinyl, a folding shell that comes out or lies flat for transport, and nothing fancy to break. It is the seat that suits a boat that gets loaded, unloaded and rained on.
Boats You Actually Ride In
NaviStyle is the step up for a boat where people sit for the whole trip. The lumbar curve and tapered sides make a real difference over a couple of hours, and the locking hinge is a genuine improvement over a plain friction fold.
If Your Back Is the Deciding Factor
The ProBax line is built around posture support rather than plush padding. It is the option to look at if long sitting sessions are uncomfortable, though persistent back pain is a conversation to have with a clinician rather than a purchase to make.
Protecting the Investment
Tempress also sells fitted covers for its own seats, which is the cheapest way to keep the vinyl out of the sun between trips. A seat left uncovered on an open deck ages several times faster than one that is covered.
The Lineup at a Glance
| Family | Shape | Best on | Notable detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Weather | Simple folding shell | Aluminum and utility boats | Durable vinyl, easy to replace |
| NaviStyle | Lumbar curve, tapered sides | Runabouts and center consoles | No pinch hinge with auto lock |
| ProBax | Posture focused shell | Long sitting sessions | Patented posture technology |
| Low back versions | Cut down backrest | Casting decks, tillers | Keeps sightlines and cover profile low |
What to Watch For
The most common regret with any folding marine seat is buying a high back for a boat that gets covered. The seat is fine, the cover is fine, and together they trap water in a tent shape over the seat back. Check the folded height against how your cover sits before deciding.
The second is assuming vinyl color is purely cosmetic. Dark vinyl gets noticeably hotter in direct sun than light gray or tan, which matters on an open deck in summer more than most people expect at the point of ordering.
Tempress Versus the Sling Alternative
Tempress builds conventional padded seats, which means comfort in chop and a look that fits most boats, at the cost of foam that can eventually take on water if the vinyl is breached. The sling seats from Millennium trade that padding for a fabric that drains instantly.
If your boat lives uncovered and gets rained on constantly, the sling approach has a real advantage, covered in our Millennium review. If you want cushioning and a factory look, padded is the right call.
Frequently Asked Questions
What bolt pattern do Tempress seats use? Tempress publishes a universal five and a quarter inch square bolt hole pattern under its seats, which fits standard swivels and slides. Measure your own plate center to center to confirm.
What is the difference between NaviStyle and All Weather? All Weather is the simpler utility folding seat. NaviStyle adds lumbar shaping, tapered sides and a no pinch hinge with an automatic lock, aimed at boats people ride in rather than fish from.
What is ProBax? It is Tempress’s posture oriented seating line, built around patented technology intended to support the spine during long sitting sessions rather than simply adding foam.
Are Tempress seats good quality? They are built on polypropylene shells with marine grade foam and vinyl and stainless fasteners, which is why they appear as original equipment on many production boats.
High back or low back for a small fishing boat? Low back keeps sightlines and cover profile down and suits casting. High back is more comfortable for longer rides but needs to fold flat if the boat is covered.
Will a Tempress seat fit my existing pedestal? Almost always, since the pattern is the common marine square and most pedestals accept a standard post. Measure the pattern and check the post diameter your base takes before ordering.
The Bottom Line
Pick the Tempress family by how you use the boat rather than by how the names sound: All Weather for utility hulls, NaviStyle for boats you ride in, ProBax if support through the back is the deciding factor. Then choose high or low back based on sightlines and how your cover sits. Compare the wider field in our boat seats guide, look at the sling alternative in our Millennium review, and check what holds the seat up in our pedestal guide.