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Boat seatsEnjoying a trip out on the waters in your boat is an exhilarating experience. However, you?re obviously not going to spend all your time on the boat in a standing position! So to make your experience an enjoyable one you need comfortable and sturdy boat seats.
Match the seat to your boat
It is necessary to have the right type of seat as per your requirements. For example, a boat for a pleasure trip out on the waters will have seats that are back to back and that can be easily converted to a flat seat for lying down. Fishing boats, too, have their own specific types of boat seats. If you are planning to throw a line in salt water, you should opt for seats with good padded cushioning and firm back rests. Other types of fishing boats have seats only for standup purposes, while yet others have seats that can turn around on the pedestal. Then there are swivel seats and reclining seats?the list is infinite, so we?ll have a look at just some of the variety of seats available and their costs We?ll begin with the seat for the one who is at the helm: the Captain.
Helm Seats / Seats for the Captain
The most expensive boat seat for the spot at the helm has a price range of $950 to over $2000. In this price range you can get a boat seat made from ballistic nylon filling and extremely thick foam padding. The backrest is high with special lumbar support. In addition, the seat also has a headrest. The higher end of the price range is for leather seats. For a lower price range of $340 to $500, you get a seat without the headrest and sufficiently comfortable cushioning. For both categories, you can opt for fixed arm rests or flip-up arm rests.
Passenger Seats
? It is a good idea to install a back-to-back seat (also called a sleeper seat) when you have two or more people aboard. Special hinges in the seats enable the seats to be placed flat in a lying-down position to form a bed. It generally costs above $200. If you wish, you can raise the height of such seats by installing what is called a base box. This cost about $30.
? Another type of boat seat is the jump seat, which, however, cannot be used as a freestanding seat. It is essential to have it resting against an immovable section of the boat. A jump seat costs about $130 to $150.
? If you often take a group of your friends for a spin in your boat, go in for the boat seats that have a group formation. These are bench type seats and provide for comfortable seating for a minimum of four persons; you can also get seats for six and eight people or even customized for larger groups. Some manufacturers have come with an innovative design, wherein the seats even have cup holders in the armrests and reasonably roomy storage space beneath the seats. Such seats can be pretty expensive, costing more than $700 and upwards.
Bucket Seats
As the name implies, this type of seat is bucket-shaped. Good quality vinyl and molded plastic is used in the basic types, with fine foam for the cushioning. Cost: less than $200. These types of seats can often be seen in sailing vessels used solely for the purpose of an enjoyable trip on the water. They come with closed or open back rests.
Now available are also the more sophisticated type of bucket seats that are designed with special suspension systems. This supposedly helps the boater to evenly distribute body weight, thereby preventing pressure on a particular spot. It comes with a flip-up bolster, that enables you to get extra height, say when you are docking and need to look over the bow. The cost of such seats is generally over $400.
Seats for Fishing
When you throw out a line to fish, and you prefer to be in a standing position, you can opt for the stand-up seat. It can cost less than $40, and is the most inexpensive type of boat seat! Of course, most fishermen would rather have a comfortably cushioned boat seat. A basic one made with a plywood foundation and vinyl would cost less than $60, while one of better quality comes for about $75. Of course, the really high quality branded ones can cost over $200.
Boat Seat Accessories
? When you are not out on the water, you keep your boat well covered. The seats, too, need to be covered, to prevent it from cracking and fading, as well as to protect it from mildew and water. For this purpose, you can buy a boat seat cover for less than $20. Whether you need a cover for a fixed seat or for a bucket seat, there are a variety of sizes to choose from.
? In a similar manner, you need to cover the armrests of your seat with individual slip-on covers. It costs about $60 to $65.
? To keep yourself / passengers secure in rough weather, you should install boat seat belts. A good quality retractable one could cost about $50, but it is worth the safety!
? When you take a break and want to lean back, the headrest comes handy! If your boat seat does not already have one, you can get one added on for less than $90. Firm aluminum brackets enable it to be installed easily. Preferably, though, place the order for a headrest at the same time as the seat itself, so that you get the right fit.
? If you have an immovable, firmly placed boat seat and wish to have a more adjustable one, you can install a pedestal with swivel abilities to the seat. Costing about $65 to $70, this pedestal has a sturdy base and the height can be easily adjusted to suit your requirement.
Checklist for Buying A Boat Seat
? Whatever type and size of boat seat, just keep in mind that it must comply with the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) Safety Standards.
? The boat seat should ideally be practically unbreakable, strong and durable.
? The material of your boat seat should not be the type that will gulp in liquids and moisture easily.
? The outer surface of the boat seat should not be susceptible to fading.
? Other than the actual seat, you need to carefully check the hardware parts, if any ? the nuts and bolts should be corrosion-resistant.
? If you don?t want one stark color for the entire boat seat, at the time of ordering you can request for different colors for the main body panel, the center panel, and the edges.
? Confirm the shipping charges. A boat seat that is bulky could cost you an additional $10 or more!
? Do check the warranty on your boat seat.
? Last, but equally important: Buy from a creditworthy source!
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