Bench or Jockey?

neilda · 07 May 2009, 09:28

Probably an obvious answer to this, but I'd be curious to have your thoughts.

If you were buying a RIB purely for leisure and exclusively for use on the Solent in the summer and the choice was either bench seats or jockey seats - which would you go for?

I'd be transporting a 7 year old and an 11 year old a lot of the time.

As I say, I think the answer is jockey every time, but I'm new to this so wanted to check.

Thanks....

Neil

JSP · 07 May 2009, 09:33

What size of hull Neil?
If it's big enough I'd go for both. Jockey seat with a bench seat at the back. Myself I think your kids would be best on Jockey seats.

Andre · 07 May 2009, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilda

Probably an obvious answer to this, but I'd be curious to have your thoughts.

If you were buying a RIB purely for leisure and exclusively for use on the Solent in the summer and the choice was either bench seats or jockey seats - which would you go for?

I'd be transporting a 7 year old and an 11 year old a lot of the time.

As I say, I think the answer is jockey every time, but I'm new to this so wanted to check.

Thanks....

Neil

Neil, yes jockey every time but make sure that each person has a back rest.

neilda · 07 May 2009, 09:41

Good advice - thanks. I just wanted to check that my inexperienced thinking hadn't missed something. Both would be nice.

Are there any issues with doubling up on jockeys (putting two people on one jockey seat where one person wouldn't have a back rest)? Obviously some/most are designed for it.

The size of the boat will probably be 6.5 or 7m.

JSP · 07 May 2009, 10:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilda

Good advice - thanks. I just wanted to check that my inexperienced thinking hadn't missed something. Both would be nice.

Are there any issues with doubling up on jockeys (putting two people on one jockey seat where one person wouldn't have a back rest)? Obviously some/most are designed for it.

The size of the boat will probably be 6.5 or 7m.

Having back rests for each person is safer and more comfortable.
I have a 2 man jockey seat with one back rest at the back. The person sitting at the back holds on to the back rest behind. Would be more comfortable for the person at the rear to be able to hold on to a back rest in front of them but then again they could also smash they're teeth out on it. I'd say a grab handle at the front of the jockey seat is most important.

On a 6.5-7m boat you'll have loads of room to play with.

alystra · 07 May 2009, 16:10

Jockeys when you're travelling, a bench across the stern for when you're just floating. That's my ideal.

HUMBER P4VWL · 07 May 2009, 20:51

we just got two jockeys for driving when rough, with a reversible backed bench behind. Great for storage and floating about with the toddlers. Also good for skiing as by flipping the backrest forward people can watch backwards.

Hightower · 07 May 2009, 21:33

Jockey.....I also have a 7 and 11 year old and find the best way to seat them is the 11 year old sits against the backrest and my 7 YO sits in front of her. That way the older child can put their arms around the younger child and both hold on to the railing in front of them for support.

You don't need much of a chop in the Solent to bash your passengers around. Their arms aren't very long and their faces are only inches away from being buried in to the stainless or gel coat.

If you go the bench route, then please consider getting a high one where your knees are below your hips whilst seated. Anything lower and it's bad back time.

neilda · 07 May 2009, 23:11

Decision made.

Jockey seats only - or both if available.

Thanks for the straightforward advice - I kind of thought it was obvious, but it's good to have the views of those that actually know. I want my kids to be, and to feel, safe/secure.

I'm going to see a well priced Revenger 715 on Saturday, but sadly it has only a bench, frustrating as it looks lovely and is bang on the budget.

Downhilldai · 08 May 2009, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilda

I'm going to see a well priced Revenger 715 on Saturday, but sadly it has only a bench, frustrating as it looks lovely and is bang on the budget.

If the price is right, then why not consider swapping the bench for a pair of jockeys after you get it home? There'd be some value in the second hand bench seat to sell on.

neilda · 09 May 2009, 05:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

If the price is right, then why not consider swapping the bench for a pair of jockeys after you get it home? There'd be some value in the second hand bench seat to sell on.

You could be right. Someone recently mentioned that the Revenger is such a capable boat that the bench seating is not so much of an issue.

Is it a complex thing to swap the bench for jockeys?

Hightower · 09 May 2009, 07:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilda

Is it a complex thing to swap the bench for jockeys?

Not really complex, just labour intensive. At worst you'll be angle grinding the bench seat off and relaminating the jockeys in place, so some knowledge of fibreglassing would be a good Idea. Some seats can be glued to the deck with marine adhesive and a ring of scews around the lip inside or outside the base of the seat pod.

neilda · 09 May 2009, 08:03

Yikes! That's way out of my league.

Words like 'laminating', 'fiberglassing' 'adhesive' and 'grinding' are ones I have managed to avoid.

Downhilldai · 10 May 2009, 19:14

In that case you'll have to pay someone to do it for you. Shouldn't cost a lot.

bedajim · 11 May 2009, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

In that case you'll have to pay someone to do it for you. Shouldn't cost a lot.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F204807

The 5th pic in the add looks like they run cables or the fuel tank pickup in the seat base

could make it more interesting

Downhilldai · 11 May 2009, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedajim

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F204807

The 5th pic in the add looks like they run cables or the fuel tank pickup in the seat base

could make it more interesting

Looks like a tank within the seat base?

And that one has a screwed down seat base, so should be easy to remove.

...................but what about that tank?