Skippers Seat just doesn't work

[Neo]

Hi All,

I'm looking for ideas to modify the skippers seat, because.....

# It rubs and jams against the OB cowl when the OB is up and turned to one side
# It's too big and wobbly when it's hinged open
# It's heavy enough to be dangerous when closing
# The back rest is far too low to be useful... need a higher back but don't want to add to the weight

So I'd like to change the seat some how?... Made cut it horizontally in two hales with two hinged sections??

Anyway just wondering if anyone else has any bright ideas?

All the best.
Neo

[kadet]

Been considering tossing mine as well and making a wooden one with a storage box but have not got any further than dreaming at this time.

[Seapup]

Currie's Mod

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1769





My

[DaveC426913]

Nice swim platform!!!

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[bobbob]

Hi All,

I'm looking for ideas to modify the skippers seat, because.....

# It rubs and jams against the OB cowl when the OB is up and turned to one side
# It's too big and wobbly when it's hinged open
# It's heavy enough to be dangerous when closing
# The back rest is far too low to be useful... need a higher back but don't want to add to the weight

So I'd like to change the seat some how?... Made cut it horizontally in two hales with two hinged sections??

Anyway just wondering if anyone else has any bright ideas?

All the best.
Neo

All agreed. I'd add a fifth point which is that whenever I need to fling it open in a hurry, I always almost lose the seat cushion overboard...

[Ixneigh]

On my M I fixed the seat so it's the same level as the other seats. This makes the backrest higher. I also made the back rest separate from the seat. So one can remover either or both as needed. The backrest part uses the original hinge but the seat part is a flat panel that fits in the resessed area flush with the other seats.
My other option was to increase the hight of the back rest, but I decided it would alter the look of the boat too much for my likings.
There is no way to make this unit two pieces without a lot of work if you want it to look good. I made mine from scratch out of glass, foam and plywood. I still have the old seat somewhere.

I like the lower seating position as it's more comfortable in rolly conditions since your sitting lower. It does affect forward vis slightly. I like the flat even seating. More comfortable to lounge at anchor.

The raised seat did have one plus, when heeled dramatically it provided a position to wedge your rump section into.
Ix

[DaveC426913]

All agreed. I'd add a fifth point which is that whenever I need to fling it open in a hurry, I always almost lose the seat cushion overboard...

I have solved this, and made a new feature in doing so.

My seat cushion (actually, the back cushion) has a clip on the zipper that runs a 6-foot line to a carbiner which clips onto the stern lifeline.
Not only do I not lose the cushion, even in winds, but it means I can leave the cushion unattached so that it can come with me when I move around behind the helm.
I often lounge in the high corner, with my head in the pushpit, and the cushion makes a great head pillow.

(This is not my boat; this is Googled)

[dlandersson]

Skippers seat on the X is the same level as the other cockpit seats. Jus' sayn'

[81venture]

I took the rear seat completely off our as I found a lot of problems with it

1. It was cumbersome and heavy...and was just a matter of time before someone was knocked out when it fell, or a finger lost being pinched off.
2. I am short, and unless I stole a booster seat from a restaurant (I thought of doing this actually) I can't see over the front sitting down..its way too low
3. I also find when sailing and motoring I stand, and prefer to, most of the time...#2 and being short has much to do with this

So I removed it. It's sitting in the barn for future use/sale....

I actually like the openness of the rear with out the seat. I think the boat looks more "yacht-like" without it. It's also easier to get on and off the boat with either the swim ladder or at the dock.

I took an old teak ski-locker cover off my hoarding pile, and trimmed the edges down so that if we are sitting at the dock or anchor and desire a seat there I can pull it out of storage and it fits perfectly. just has no back

Next project is to put in a cockpit floor as I have seen some do to get rid of that inch step down behind the pedestal....

[Neo]

Thanks for the replies guys, these are very helpful.

I'm especially interested in the but knowing what mods have been done to the might be useful too.

Keep em coming
Neo

[DaveC426913]

1. It was cumbersome and heavy...and was just a matter of time before someone was knocked out when it fell, or a finger lost being pinched off.

Am I the only one that has a safety clip that prevents the seat from falling?

I actually like the openness of the rear with out the seat. I think the boat looks more "yacht-like" without it. It's also easier to get on and off the boat with either the swim ladder or at the dock.

Don't you find it noisy with the kicker?

[81venture]

I suppose a safety clip would prevent that of course....

I just didn't like it....and it doesn't seem to be any noisier with or with out the seat

[captronr]

A friend of ours was fed up with his X's seat and sawed 4 inches left to right out of the seat, then had the "lip" re-glassed to the seat back professionally. He, like me, got tired of trying to slink behind the pedestal with his knees/feet getting twisted up.

I haven't done mine yet, but it is a mod I'm considering.

Ron

[Gazmn]

I have an , & I have a ladder on the Portside transom. So... I switched the hinge to the Starboard side to clear up the back while entering from the water or the trailer - port side Clear rear entry
I also cut off the horizontal part of the Capt's seat. I can still lean against, or sit on the top of the modified "transom seat" when closed

It gives a nice amount of reclaimed foot room behind steering wheel.
This is an old pic but it gives you the big picture...

[kurz]

Hi Gazmn
How are you happy with the hydrophoil?

I bought one but didn't mount already!