Your thoughts

JSP · 21 May 2009, 20:34

I've been trying to think how to add more seats to my RIB for ages now.
At the moment it has a (so called) 2 man jockey seat. I find with an adult sat at the back of it I have to stand.
One idea is to put the double jockey seat in front of the console and put a single Jockey to were it was. Only concern with this is the rougher ride anyone sat at the front of the double Jockey.
Would like more seating for family cruising. Space is very limited on seariders as you'll know and money is even more limited.

Any suggestions/ideas most welcome.

Very rough measurements attached.

Chris · 21 May 2009, 21:24

I've alsways seen the Searider as a two seater. I think you have hit the nail on the head. If you try to add more seating you will compromise the ride and comfort of all the passengers IMO.

JSP · 21 May 2009, 21:38

That's what's bothering me Chris, the only thing is were the original seating was is not far off were I'm thinking of putting the seats.

chewy · 21 May 2009, 21:52

Have a look at this thread mate, might be of some help?

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=19826

JSP · 21 May 2009, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Have a look at this thread mate, might be of some help?

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=19826

Cheers mate, read that thread many times. Great re fit isn't it? Would mean a total refit for me too which I may think about next winter.

chewy · 21 May 2009, 22:09

Can't you fit two jockeys behind your console and offset your steering?

Found a use for my spare jockey moulding... had it upside down and full of water today to run the engine.
Currently got the console upside down on the dogs mats (so it doesn't get scratched) in the front room doing some glassing, only smells a tiny bit honest!

JSP · 21 May 2009, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Can't you fit two jockeys behind your console and offset your steering?

Found a use for my spare jockey moulding... had it upside down and full of water today to run the engine.
Currently got the console upside down on the dogs mats (so it doesn't get scratched) in the front room doing some glassing, only smells a tiny bit honest!

your wife must REALLY love you mate

The top of the console is allot thinner than the lower part, no room to offset. Just wish I was handy enough to build a new console top.

chewy · 21 May 2009, 22:19

Struck a deal of she can watch what she wants on TV and I'll do my console.

Can't you fit anything in front of the console?

JSP · 21 May 2009, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Struck a deal of she can watch what she wants on TV and I'll do my console.

Can't you fit anything in front of the console?

She'll be high as a kite if your glassing

chewy · 21 May 2009, 22:27

Yep we both are, had the back door open to get some air through but she was cold so had to close it, house stinks, console looks ok though. Had to put a little bulkhead in to seperate the under seat storage from the head of the console.

AndrewH · 22 May 2009, 11:09

John

Is there any chance that with the console slid forward a little that you'd be able to fit a bench seat behind. It might be a little cosy for two on the bench seat, but at least you've then got seating for nominally 4 (2 on the jockey, 2 on the bench)? Depending on which bench you choose this may also give you a bit of storage space as well

JSP · 22 May 2009, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewH

John

Is there any chance that with the console slid forward a little that you'd be able to fit a bench seat behind. It might be a little cosy for two on the bench seat, but at least you've then got seating for nominally 4 (2 on the jockey, 2 on the bench)? Depending on which bench you choose this may also give you a bit of storage space as well

Hi Andrew,
console is built into the deck (well the bottom part anyway) so would mean a full refit. Again maybe something for winter.

I've decided on keeping the 1.5 person Jockey seat where it is and fitting another double jockey in front of the console.
River cruising I can have two people up front and maybe someone sat with me behind. Going into the rough, max one person in front sat right in front of the console, they will have the same kind of ride as myself then. And the other person sat behind me. Only problem is, I'll have to stand all the time.

Thanks anyway Andrew

AndrewH · 22 May 2009, 13:31

No Worries John

I know that when we had a Ribtec 535 the bench+jockey option was about the best possible compromise between ride comfort and seating space. I'd guess your SR5.4 is similar in size.

I also spliced some ropes with caribiner (sp?) that clipped onto the metalwork of the jockey seatback to stop the kids sliding sideways. Let me know if you need any photos

JSP · 22 May 2009, 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewH

No Worries John

I know that when we had a Ribtec 535 the bench+jockey option was about the best possible compromise between ride comfort and seating space. I'd guess your SR5.4 is similar in size.

I also spliced some ropes with caribiner (sp?) that clipped onto the metalwork of the jockey seatback to stop the kids sliding sideways. Let me know if you need any photos

Kids only ever come out when cruising rivers. But have been arguing with myself if I should have some kind of harness or something to keep them in. The obvious worry is them not being able to get out of the boat in an emergency.
Would love to see photos'.

Seariders have a narrow beam with deep V, so very limited.

Top banana · 22 May 2009, 15:28

maybe an idea if you are moving seating around to fit a permanent fuel tank,91ltrs maybe. with portables for longer trips.

JSP · 22 May 2009, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top banana

maybe an idea if you are moving seating around to fit a permanent fuel tank,91ltrs maybe. with portables for longer trips.

That is something I want to do, sadly a new tank is out of my budget at the moment. BALLS!

Bigmuz7 · 22 May 2009, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Struck a deal of she can watch what she wants on TV and I'll do my console.

Kwality

well done that man .. marital harmony at work

chewy · 22 May 2009, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

Kwality

well done that man .. marital harmony at work

Thank you, did the flow coating this morning and the house still stinks!

John I wouldn't want people attached to the boat incase it all went a bit flip flop.
When I was a kid I went on a RYA RIBdown Poole and that had a matress jammed between the console and tube, you'd struggle to "pop" out of that.

HUMBER P4VWL · 23 May 2009, 07:45

We just had the bench seat on our searider 5.4.with the offset console. We regularly sat three across the seat. Bums slightly off the edge towards the tubes at each side and it was cosy, but worked very well with the little one in between two adults to keep safe. We used it off anglesey, so it wasnt just river cruising.

(Great boats though, miss ours already, just so chuckable and responsive)

JSP · 23 May 2009, 08:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

John I wouldn't want people attached to the boat incase it all went a bit flip flop.
When I was a kid I went on a RYA RIBdown Poole and that had a matress jammed between the console and tube, you'd struggle to "pop" out of that.

That's what stops me. If I had the brains I'd have a bar to keep them in like you have on fairground rides that would auto lift up if the engine stops and a tilt switch to auto lift up if the boat went up side down. That coupled with an eject seat for when the little gits get bored after 2 min