Seat height

[Keith 1]

Hi.
I have a zodiac futura with the seat rails that lock into the flooring . And bench type seats. There rather low down especially the steering
Has anyone been able to modify these as to bring them up a lot higher . !!!!!

[Peter_C]

The higher you go the more top heavy the somewhat narrow MKII boat will be. Want a bigger taller boat? Get a larger RIB.

Personally, I prefer a tiller for an MKII, and sitting on the tubes. Much more deck space available, but I scuba dive.

[Keith 1]

Hi Peter.
It's not the ride height that I'm after it's for leg room that I want just for a more comfy ride.
I don't want a larger boat or even have room for one.
Think I will try and fabricate something with wood if it works see if I can get something welded up

[Pikey Dave]

How about a child’s booster seat? Or similar. The principle being, raise the effective height rather than the actual height.

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by Keith 1

Hi Peter.
It's not the ride height that I'm after it's for leg room that I want just for a more comfy ride.
I don't want a larger boat or even have room for one.
Think I will try and fabricate something with wood if it works see if I can get something welded up

Just how much higher are you thinking? We used to say use a phone book or two to sit on, but those days are long gone. If you are talking over 30cm, that will change your center of gravity, but how much effect may be largely determined by the conditions you boat on. Much less height and I can't see it being useful. They are set low for a reason, as you want to sit with your butt near tube height. What about moving the steering up and allowing your legs to go under? Unfortunately that also means your legs are no longer shock absorbing, and the hits are transferred into your back.

Take the helm and move it completely out of your way. Sit in the seat and see if it works for you as is with nothing else in the way. If so move the steering to fit your seat position.

To find out seat height knock out a wood box taller than you want and keep cutting it down (Tablesaw makes short work of it) until you find a comfortable height. Depending on seat design, as we haven't seen a picture of "your boat" there are a few options. You might be able to just make a couple wood boxes to raise the seat(s) up. Passenger seat may be left at current height?

How to raise the helm is unknown as we don't know which version you have. The version with the side bench and fiberglass console is probably the easiest to raise.

Look at the photos from this boat for ideas. This type of helm and seats could easily be boosted with a wood box. The seat was raised about 1.5 phone books, and has a nice back for comfort, along with plush butt padding.
https://onlineveilingmeester.nl/en/a...c-mk2-futura-s

[Fenlander]

My Aerotec as standard only came with the forward seat and in the ten years we've owned it I've moved from a tube sitter to appreciating a seat for the helm (tiller). I set the boat up in the garage and with anything I could find trialled a seat height. I found a position about 2" higher from the floor than the existing forward seat with a very firm 2" cushion that you hardly sink into made things very comfortable and that's where I fixed the rearmost extra seat. That apparently minimal 4" lift over the other seat was enough to make it perfect.

[Keith 1]

Well these are all good ideas. But. .
I was thinking of the front seat with the steering wheel attached.
Futura owners must notice that when afloat and pushing forwards the only place your legs can go is either to the left or kind of tucked under your bum / or sitting on the tube.the first 2 quite uncomfortable. On the tube is not bad but it's steering is a bit annoying at that angle. So trying to raise the steering bench up is more what I'm thinking . Maybe it isn't possible .

[prairie tuber]

Why not do this? Use a 20L NATO jerry can (not the garbage old steel one, but the current standard one that is made of thick polyethylene by Sceptre) for your fuel tank, Create an aluminum cradle frame for it. At the top of that frame (which is to be just slightly higher than the top of the jerry can have a hinged board with with semicircular padding on top, thus creating a jockey seat. Have a hand rail at the front on the right side for your right hand to grip, and operate a tiller with your left hand.
This more upright position with be far better for your back when in choppy conditions
My thinking is that a steering wheel positioned one foot above the floorboards on a 14' boat is every bit as useful as a chocolate tea pot