Suspension Seating

Martin · 26 January 2007, 20:46

Hello

I need to find some form of suspension seating. My wife had a bad back and had an operation recently on her lower back and after three months is now ready to go back to work.

The even better news us that she is keen to try to get to some calm Solent boating

However I want to replace the bucket seat with some form of suspension seat. I am aware of Ullman Jockeys which I am sure are very effective and equally as expensive.

Are there any alternatives to consider, if not I will bite the bullet and buy an Ullman seat if it keeps her safe from injury.

Martin

Poly · 26 January 2007, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin

Hello

I need to find some form of suspension seating. My wife had a bad back and had an operation recently on her lower back and after three months is now ready to go back to work.

The even better news us that she is keen to try to get to some calm Solent boating

However I want to replace the bucket seat with some form of suspension seat. I am aware of Ullman Jockeys which I am sure are very effective and equally as expensive.

Are there any alternatives to consider, if not I will bite the bullet and buy an Ullman seat if it keeps her safe from injury.

Martin

I think redbay have someone elses seats. Try PMing AndyGee on here - I *think* he has them in his redbay.

Matt · 26 January 2007, 21:30

Obviously I don't know what specific problem your wife had, but is it worth considering bucket seats instead? While they don't give (as much) direct vertical cushioning, they do have a lot more support overall meaning she won't need to rely on her back muscles to hold her in place as much.

Richard B · 26 January 2007, 21:35

...or even the best of both worlds... a suspension bucket seat? One of the best examples is installed on Sir Charles Blois' RIB which recently performed very well in the Red Sea RIB rally. I do believe that his seats are a one-off though.

Nos4r2 · 26 January 2007, 21:58

How long is it for? Temp or permanent?

It might be worth seeing if a Renault Midliner truck seat air suspension unit from a breakers would be usable They are a totally self-contained unit with a built in dial/pressure adjuster.

Endeavour · 26 January 2007, 22:00

Ullman Compact 750

£1650 each

Hightower · 26 January 2007, 22:10

This could be a neater design. There's a Vid of a guy in suposed rough water (think he's faking it a bit) but it kinda gives you and Idea.

http://upnorthoutdoorstv.com/boatchair384.wmv

Website: http://www.smoothmovesseatmounts.com/

And it's only $270

Hightower · 26 January 2007, 22:15

So who's gonna buy one then? It really looks quite cool, if a little flimsy.

Poly · 26 January 2007, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

think he's faking it a bit

from what I could see of the water there was very little waves and the boat never moves relative to the horizon - which all suggests he was jumping up and down not going over big waves...

Hightower · 26 January 2007, 22:29

http://www.glyde-ryde.com/

http://www.seatshop.co.uk/

http://www.seatshop.co.uk/ssprice.html

http://www.aeroform.co.uk/crewseats.htm

Here's a few more.

Hightower · 26 January 2007, 22:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

from what I could see of the water there was very little waves and the boat never moves relative to the horizon - which all suggests he was jumping up and down not going over big waves...

It does give you an Idea though Polwart. Just need everything in stainless steel.

jwalker · 27 January 2007, 00:47

Martin, our seats are these. They are also fitted with a 4 point harness which I thoughly recommend. The seat is capable of looking after someone who can't look after themselves. It's adjustable in all sorts of ways to give support to various shapes of occupant. However, it isn't the sort of thing you'd want to leave exposed to the elements full time. Covers would be pretty much essential. And for marine use you'll need double dampers fitted rather than a single one because they'll heat up when travelling over a bumpy sea for a while.

Paul Beaurain · 27 January 2007, 07:03

Hello JW

Just to clarify, the KAB seat you have has 12 V power feed (up through floor?) and integral compressor and 4 point intgral harness?

Is it yours an open rib or is the seat protected from elements by cabin?

Kab seats I have seen may be a base model ie no power required and no integral harness/belt

thanks
Paul

John Kennett · 27 January 2007, 07:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

This could be a neater design. There's a Vid of a guy in suposed rough water (think he's faking it a bit) but it kinda gives you and Idea.

http://upnorthoutdoorstv.com/boatchair384.wmv

Website: http://www.smoothmovesseatmounts.com/

And it's only $270

That looks interesting, so I emailed them for more details.

The price is just for the suspension bracket, and doesn't include the seat or the pedestal. I reckon it could work on a RIB though using bucket seats and a low GRP mounting pod. They have 6" of fore and aft adjustment too which would be a bonus.

Oh, and Polwart was right about the video: "I read the post`s you linked and yes to be honest the day we had a film crew with it was not the roughest so we did what we could to show how they work. We will be shooting a new segment as soon as we can get it done."

John

Clive · 27 January 2007, 09:01

Hi the suspension seats shown earlier in this thread are nothing more than tractor seats with a pivot base i can get these seats for about 50 quid!!brand new
but if everyone is paying over a grand for them i will sell them for ooo say 800 quid let me know how many you want

Clive · 27 January 2007, 09:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

So who's gonna buy one then? It really looks quite cool, if a little flimsy.

hi hightower these re not flimsey at all i have had one on my tractor for 5 years and no trouble you can also adjust for indevidual weight of occupant.
my tractor has no cab so the seat is fully exposed an d after 5 yrs still no rust

donutsina911 · 27 January 2007, 09:12

just for info, JBT Marine are now doing suspension seats - may be worth pm'ng RIVA

Hightower · 27 January 2007, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clive

hi hightower these re not flimsey at all i have had one on my tractor for 5 years and no trouble you can also adjust for indevidual weight of occupant.
my tractor has no cab so the seat is fully exposed an d after 5 yrs still no rust

I meant these ones: http://www.smoothmovesseatmounts.com/

Is that the ones you have in your tractor?

RIVA · 27 January 2007, 09:32

Yes we have been involved in design and testing a jocky suspension seat.

It’s been used commercially for about two years now on passenger ribs and works well, we are looking at fetching it into Europe this year or next. Anyone @ Cape Town boat show this year would have seen it
It is concidriblely less to buy than others in the market place.

The only down side is the volume at the moment does not exist to make it a viable import

I will let you know if we decide to fetch it in

J

Hightower · 27 January 2007, 09:45

But you have some seats to play around with in the Solent? I might be interested in seeing one of these seats. Could be a nice addition to my next boat.