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...




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...




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 .

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.

Regards
seabug

[snelly1971]

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

Cheers Mick