Suspension seats

[jonp]

Ive just bought two Shark suspension units but haven't yet decided on the seat tops. The shark seats have a pointy front that you can have between your legs while standing but these even for the base model are very expensive and my budget has already blown out. A normal seat is extremely cheap in comparison. Anyone have experience with them ? I have used the seats in other boats years ago but back then I mostly stood while driving.

One seat is over $800 and the other $80.

[beerbelly]

i have recently fitted suspension seating and found . with suspension seats while you are sitting it is much higher than a normal seat in fact you are almost standing your knees are much straighter so you are straddling the seat which i think will be difficult on your cheaper seats

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

i have recently fitted suspension seating and found . with suspension seats while you are sitting it is much higher than a normal seat in fact you are almost standing your knees are much straighter so you are straddling the seat which i think will be difficult on your cheaper seats

I found that when I had mine I had bases made from aluminium to suit my leg length great piece of kit in the rough

[jonp]

I have no issue with the base height and have tried with 3 ins hard foam to represent the height of the cheaper traditional style seat. These seats have the option of a plastic base or an adjustable height metal one, however my question wasn't in regards to seat height, it was the two different styles. Mine also have sliding adjustable tops which allow the seats to face any direction.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Personally I think you will find the second one make the back of your thighs ache also not have the sideways restraint the first one has plus depending on how near your seat is to the steering wheel the first one will be easier to slide past to sit down which I did find awkward on my fixed seats with no movement forward and backwards. Quality would be the next thing you get what you pay for the seat foams will differ again down to comfort the older we get the more important that becomes.

[Fenlander]

I've sat on the $80 seat type many times over the years in craft from 6m upwards, enclosed accommodation hard hulls. Even in the larger sports cruiser situation I would tend to stand up off that seat as soon as it kicked up a bit rough and from your past images I think that's the conditions you operate in.

They usually have fold down backs and the pivot point can be a bit weak for extreme forces.

[jonp]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

I've sat on the $80 seat type many times over the years in craft from 6m upwards, enclosed accommodation hard hulls. Even in the larger sports cruiser situation I would tend to stand up off that seat as soon as it kicked up a bit rough and from your past images I think that's the conditions you operate in.

They usually have fold down backs and the pivot point can be a bit weak for extreme forces.

Yes the conditions I normally boat in are normally on the rough side, far more than I was used to when I lived in the UK. Most of the boats Ive owned and worked from don't have seats, which is all good until you hit the odd wave you weren't expecting to bang so hard. According to various boat seat manufacturers those forces can reach 10g and testing has proven to reduce by 70% with certain suspension seats.

I picked these up secondhand and the condition is like new, so worth giving it a try. I did buy one of these style a few months back which Ive adapted to fit on my live bait tub. Surprisingly it's very comfortable and they also fit the Shark seats perfectly. They are comfortable even when I sit on it backwards, so I might give one a try.

I think my position will be mostly seat supported but my feet will touch the ground with bended knees either at the sides or in front of the seat.

I have several spinal issues (some new) and just hoping this will allow me to stay on the water rather than sell the boat.