Disappointment with Melbourne Boat Show

[seabug]

The one thing that was disappointing with the show was the total lack of improvement in seating .

On boats from tinnies to a $186K cat the standard seems to be a 100 mm(4 inches) of foam or less.

At a time when the population is ageing and older boaters can take days to get over a day on the water this should be totally unacceptable.

Those who are lucky enough to have a NASHCUSH suspension will be disapointed to find that it was not on display and enquiries were met with"I have not seen it for a couple of years."

If anyone knows what became of this modestly priced suspension could you please yet us know.

Also does anyone in the industry know why boats are sold with such poor seats.

Is it because the good seats are not made by boat manufacturers,and they would have to share the profit?

Is it because people have allready outlayed more than they can afford buying a boat?
Or some other reasons.

If the seating on entry level cars was as bad as this then they would never leave the showroom,and they mostly travel on smooth city roads.

So why do fishermen/women ,especially those who go offshore,tolerate such conditions.

Regards
seabug

[Spaniard_King]

Seabug,

I guess it's due to boat manufacturers beleiving their boats ride so good they do not need such superior seating which could blow out the cost of the boat. You would think seating quality could be added as differnet options tho hey!

[charleville]

I have often wondered about this myself - especially the pathetic little bench seats that some boats, that are fairly expensive for their size, have. :(

This especially applies to aluminium boats. It is the bench at the back of the boat that I spend most time sitting on on an outing.

For example, look at this dreadful offering on a premium brand aluminium boat... :(

http://myskitch.com/charleville/skitched-20070717-083655.png


Is that the best that they can do?


.

[seabug]

Hi Guys.
Thanks for replies.

Which leads me to,

Instead of going to 23degree deadrise for a smooth ride and then (as pointed out in "DEADRISE" thread)having the kids throwing up because the boat is so unstable at rest.

Would it not be better to buy a boat will proper suspension seating and a deadrise of say 17-18 degrees.

The cost would be something the same surely.

Except that the boat manufacturer would have to buy in the seats.


Regards
seabug

[Grand_Marlin]

G'day Seabug,

Within the industry, there doesnt seem to be much call for plush seats... most people seem happy with what comes standard.

All the catalogues from all the manufacturers have the same sort of depth to their seating.

A lot of it would be to do with drying if / when wet, and also the thicker the foam, the less durable it is to rough treatment like offshore conditions and they would fail a lot quicker.

If you specifically ask a boat manufacturer to upgrade their seats, I am sure they could / would do it for you.

Unless you ask, you will only get what is on offer.

Cheers

Pete

[sid_fishes]

but you really should not have to ask it should be an option that is offered to you at the point of sale. really we are not getting any younger and most of us suffer from stuffed backs , worn out hips or whatever because of our work committments. i just think that its a cost cutting affair cheers ian

[Splash]

I have often wondered about this myself - especially the pathetic little bench seats that some boats, that are fairly expensive for their size, have. :(

This especially applies to aluminium boats. It is the bench at the back of the boat that I spend most time sitting on on an outing.

For example, look at this dreadful offering on a premium brand aluminium boat... :(

http://myskitch.com/charleville/skitched-20070717-083655.png


Is that the best that they can do?


.

Charleville.

You mentioned "It is the bench at the back of the boat that I spend most time sitting on on an outing..."

I am thinking of removing of my rear bench seat for more room but I am curious about your stement above (rear bench seat). Can you elaborate on why your becnh seat is important to you?

Splash

[Edencraft]

When I worked at Haines Hunter all the seats where made in house and where of a good quality, aftermarket seats are bloody expensive, for a good quality suspension seat capable of dealing with the enviroment that an offshore boat cops your looking at a minimum of 2k per seat including suspension pedestal. Its not really fair to compare the seat in your car with a boat seat, put the car seat in your boat and see how long it lasts. Even aftermarket car seats of a good quality like Recaro cost over a1k and they don't have to deal with the weather and salt.

Now that I work at Riviera I have seen some nice seats and we have just finished a 60ft Enclosed Fly Bridge game boat that has a 15k helm chair, it's going to North America and it has full supension, the facility to remember the setup for 3 different people, it's even heated for those cool winter mornings which I don't know why they need as the hole boat including the enclosed fly bridge has reverse cycle aircon.

[SNAPPERCOFFIN]

Hi Guys.
Thanks for replies.

Which leads me to,

Instead of going to 23degree deadrise for a smooth ride and then (as pointed out in "DEADRISE" thread)having the kids throwing up because the boat is so unstable at rest.

Would it not be better to buy a boat will proper suspension seating and a deadrise of say 17-18 degrees.

The cost would be something the same surely.

Except that the boat manufacturer would have to buy in the seats.


Regards
seabug

Just get a boat with ballist tubes ;D .

Mark

[walruss]

The new Evolution 650 Predator has suspension seats as standard!!

[snelly1971]

Hi Alan....I can see your point...but how many people really do sit down whilst driving.....Unless your in something like a semi displacement hull which travels along at 15 -20 knots in comfort then i cant see the real beniit of expensive seating....even travelling offshore in a state of the art cat is going to send some shudders up you spine if you are fully seated...I only use mine whilst trolling or just as a bum rest whilst driving....

Cheers Mick

[wessel]

Demographics in your target market is very important.

Go ask Harley Davidson. They have to re-invent a brand completely now to cater for a buying crowd that is only leaving University now and will only look at their products in another 15 to 20 years. Their current buyers are getting spread a bit thin on the ground.....
If you are a boat manufacturer you surely will have an option where those who have more free time on their hands and a bit of cash on the side to indulge in a past time they never had time for while employed fulltime to get the kids through uni type of person.

I can already see Col have a Lazyboy recliner as an option. Add a proper onboard toilet that flush at the press of a button and does not work on some pump handle mechanism and you have both parties sold. He will make millions;)

Not sure what you will call a boat like that??? Comfy Crapper? Soft Landing? Shaken not Stirred? Bottoms Up? Down the Shute?

Sorry, past my bedtime...

Wessel

[seabug]

I would not have to be very expensive.
*hitwort*s have got 5" gas suspension pedestals for $240 approx.

Hi COKE,
How did you fix your seating?

Regards
seabug

[seabug]

Hi Alan....I can see your point...but how many people really do sit down whilst driving.....Unless your in something like a semi displacement hull which travels along at 15 -20 knots in comfort then i cant see the real beniit of expensive seating....even travelling offshore in a state of the art cat is going to send some shudders up you spine if you are fully seated...I only use mine whilst trolling or just as a bum rest whilst driving....

Cheers Mick

Hi Mick ,
Is yours a suspension seat?

If so what brand?

And,
Give yourself another 35 years and see if you change your mind.;D ;D ;D

Regards
seabug

[snelly1971]

Another 35 years an I will be still going Strong...They build us Tonka Tuff down here...LOL

Cheers Mick

[KGW3]

Snelli's point is valid... I rarely sit down while driving, as I need to get good long vision so as to not hit anything. In runabouts and half cabs most drivers stand. Ocean going boats need good seats.

[seabug]

Another 35 years an I will be still going Strong...They build us Tonka Tuff down here...LOL

Cheers Mick


Thats what I thought 35 years ago.

Regards
seabug

[Splash]

Any one have rear bench seats in their boats? If so, do they get used often?

Splash

[charleville]

I am curious about your stement above (rear bench seat). Can you elaborate on why your becnh seat is important to you?


Yep - sure....


I am almost exclusively a bait fisho. If I am anchored up, the bow will be pointing into the current. My style of fishing when anchored is usually to cast an unweighted bait (eg whole pillie) up current and a little bit out from the boat and let the bait drift down the current sinking slowly down and then it surfaces again as it reaches the down-current limit of the line that I have out. That means that the bait actually travels down and up most if not all of the water column.

So my typical fishing experience when anchored will be to do that all day or night. It is therefore very comfortable to sit on the back seat and just keep tossing it upcurrent and retrieving it and tossing it out again over and over again. :)


I do jump out of the seat when I need to fight a solid fish though. :)


I actually caught the jewfish show below by fishing in this manner one night at Mud Island. Matter of fact, I was so buggered after the fight that I netted the fish and when he was secure in the net, I had to sit down for a while on the back seat to catch my breath whilst holding on to the landing net handle with him still sitting in the water. :) He was buggered too so it was no big deal to hold him there. I was just hoping that no sharks would pinch him and I was lucky in that regard. I hasten to mention that I am almost always a solo fisho.


I usually stand when at the helm when underway, though.

.

[Grand_Marlin]

I sympathise with yu guys with ailments ... I am not quite there yet, but working on it ;D

I like how the comment was made that the thinner seats are used due to "cost cutting"

Cost cutting is driven by the consumer ....

Why?

How many people approach a boat builder / trailer manufacturer / upholsterer and ask for the best of everything, no expense spared please?

Not many....

Normally the first question is "how much"

A large number of the boating fraternity are driven by cheapness ... not value for money, just cheapness ... usually at the expense of quality.
Some people's budget just wont allow it, which is fully understandable.
On the other hand, I have worked for some very wealthy people who wouldnt replace 2 rusted screws valued at 50 cents... thats just the way some people are.

Most people (me included) look for good value for money .... something that will last for years, but isnt made of gold, so to speak.

The same boat could be worth 50 grand in basic trim, 75 grand in value for money trim and 100+ grand in best of everything trim.

Then there are the minority who want the best of everything, no expense spared.
It is not uncommon for these people to spend half the purchase price again, just in toys & luxuries...
30 grand electronics packages, icemakers, aircon, plasma tv's etc etc etc.

So, my point again is - each to their own ... if 75% of the market accepts the standard fitout, then majority rules.

As I said first up .... if you want it, you can certainly have it ... just ask ... but be prepared to pay for it.

Cheers

Pete

[Splash]

Thanks Charlie. Good point. Where do u keep your ice box then?

Splash