Sea keeping ability.

Adam Brimage · 06 June 2010, 17:11

I have a zodiac pro 550 open, with the swivle seats for the helm. I find these seats useless when the weather get rough ! because when the going gets rough i am standing up, would it have any effect getting rid of the helm seat and just stand. We only go out for a few hours at a time.

Bam Bam · 06 June 2010, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Brimage

I have a zodiac pro 550 open, with the swivle seats for the helm. I find these seats useless when the weather get rough ! because when the going gets rough i am standing up, would it have any effect getting rid of the helm seat and just stand. We only go out for a few hours at a time.

Hi Adam, you may find it difficult in a rough sea if you remove the seat and dont have anything to stop you from going backwards when you hit the lumpy stuff or pile on the throttle. I'm sure that having a seat is handy at times so cant you find some way of locking the seat in a forward position maybe by drilling a hole through the section where the seat connects to the support and using a pin or bolt?? Only an idea, maybe a picture of the seat swivle may give us a better idea. There is always the option of replacing the seats with a back bolster as fitted to some of the 550's or if you have space a jocky seat.

Adam Brimage · 06 June 2010, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bam Bam

Hi Adam, you may find it difficult in a rough sea if you remove the seat and dont have anything to stop you from going backwards when you hit the lumpy stuff or pile on the throttle. I'm sure that having a seat is handy at times so cant you find some way of locking the seat in a forward position maybe by drilling a hole through the section where the seat connects to the support and using a pin or bolt?? Only an idea, maybe a picture of the seat swivle may give us a better idea. There is always the option of replacing the seats with a back bolster as fitted to some of the 550's or if you have space a jocky seat.

Yes sorry i didnt explain properly. The seat is locked in position, it is just very low down and doesnt really support your legs in anyway. I am goin to try and raise the seat a few inches to try and get the support higher up your legs. And i have looked at alternative seats and for a single jockey seat it is around £500.

Adam Brimage · 06 June 2010, 19:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bam Bam

Hi Adam, you may find it difficult in a rough sea if you remove the seat and dont have anything to stop you from going backwards when you hit the lumpy stuff or pile on the throttle. I'm sure that having a seat is handy at times so cant you find some way of locking the seat in a forward position maybe by drilling a hole through the section where the seat connects to the support and using a pin or bolt?? Only an idea, maybe a picture of the seat swivle may give us a better idea. There is always the option of replacing the seats with a back bolster as fitted to some of the 550's or if you have space a jocky seat.

Here are some pictures of the seats on the boat.

Poly · 06 June 2010, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Brimage

have looked at alternative seats and for a single jockey seat it is around £500.

you could do it much cheaper with a DIY option.

chewy · 06 June 2010, 20:00

Can you not just raise the base plate the seat is mounted on?

Adam Brimage · 06 June 2010, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Can you not just raise the base plate the seat is mounted on?

I have decided that tomorrow in work i will take the seat post in with me, and weld in a 6" section into the post. hopefully this will raise the seat enough.

chewy · 06 June 2010, 20:44

I was thinking more or rasing all of it 6" so you don't put any extra strain on the post and seat itself?

Adam Brimage · 06 June 2010, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

I was thinking more or rasing all of it 6" so you don't put any extra strain on the post and seat itself?

If you raise the base and put something under the base, the strain will be on the bolts and deck, the shear stress on the bolts will cause them to bend and maybe crack or split the fibreglass.

Mollers · 06 June 2010, 21:47

Rather than spend money trying to turn it into something that it's not, why don't you flog it and buy something a little more 'hardcore'.

Nos4r2 · 06 June 2010, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Rather than spend money trying to turn it into something that it's not, why don't you flog it and buy something a little more 'hardcore'.

I'd go along with that.

I know another pro 550 owner who's having the same problems in the rough and after we had a good look over the boat, flogging it and buying another one is definitely the easier option.

Adam Brimage · 07 June 2010, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Rather than spend money trying to turn it into something that it's not, why don't you flog it and buy something a little more 'hardcore'.

i already have something more 'hardcore' i have a humber ocean pro 6.3 with a 150 suzuki. Excelent boat for the rough stuff but i still love the zodiac :/

Mollers · 07 June 2010, 10:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Brimage

... but i still love the zodiac :/

IMV, your still making a mistake chopping the Zodiac about, which could knock the resale value. But hey, it's your boat, get the grinder out.

Adam Brimage · 07 June 2010, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

IMV, your still making a mistake chopping the Zodiac about, which could knock the resale value. But hey, it's your boat, get the grinder out.

Yes i was thinking that to, but the seats and posts are corroded to bits, so if i was to sell the boat i would probably replace the seat posts and seats anyway. Also i wont be selling the zodiac for a while so its worth it so thats i can get some use out of the boat.

Downhilldai · 07 June 2010, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Brimage

... Also i wont be selling the zodiac for a while ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Brimage

Could i interest you in a zodiac pro 550 open. with a 90hp jhonson?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Brimage

I have a 5.5m zodiac pro 550 open, with a 90 hp jhonson. If the right price was offered would be quite happy to sell.

Adam Brimage · 07 June 2010, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Hummm yer I no I kind of contradicted my self there :/ I spoke to my dad and he said that's because we got the boat for a very good price, he said it may be worth seeing what people would offer for that boat

mhb100 · 08 June 2010, 20:54

The latest Zodiac pro open 550 now has a bolster seat replacing the original captains styled seats. I did see these advertised on the web somewhere as accessories (and cheaper ones from the states), so i'd recommend checking this option out first.

Mark

Adam Brimage · 08 June 2010, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhb100

The latest Zodiac pro open 550 now has a bolster seat replacing the original captains styled seats. I did see these advertised on the web somewhere as accessories (and cheaper ones from the states), so i'd recommend checking this option out first.

Mark

Yer i have seen these seats/rests, and they are very expencive :/

spartacus · 08 June 2010, 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Brimage

Yer i have seen these seats/rests, and they are very expencive :/

The 'captain's chairs' on the Pro 550 are impractical - for the reasons you have already given. Fine for cruising in the Med, but a different story in the rough stuff. Knowing Zodiac, the bolster won't be a cheap option, however it would transform how you use your boat. The new Open Pro 550+ range look fantastic. I've seen an older style 550 that was retubed and it looked like a completely different boat.

Picture of the bolster taken from a Zodiac Open Pro 650. Ladies not included!

martini · 08 June 2010, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartacus

Ladies not included!

Oh bugger...