When you are jumping the starter,do you have the key turned "on"Did you get it figured out?????I don't about the seat thing...that's not right.....have you just jumped across that switch????Also.have you jumped across the clutch switch and pto switch????If it had been under water,all electrical items would be suspect....you know key switch,solonoid,starter.....anything.I'd start at key switch and all connections and switches....then solonoid and starter.Just take some time to figure out.jc