tractor seat base = suspension = happier back!

[Blue_Runner]

After blowing out my back on the memorial day trip I decided something has to change. So I ended up buying a tractor seat for $99 at my local tractor supply. I had to drill a couple extra holes in my existing seat base to mount my own captain chair to the tractor seat base (did not use the tractor seat part), but it was pretty straight forward. Come to find out the factory seat base on my 94 V21 was through bolted, so ended up ordering a plano style tackle locker to install in the dead space below the captain seat - should have done that long ago anyway. Cutting out for the tackle locker allowed me access to the through bolts in order to remove the old base. Lake tested the tractor seat suspension this weekend. Wow. Now it is just a matter of how long it holds up. The seat does sit up a couple inches higher but that hasn't proved to be a deal breaker for me yet. I was worried about that.

At $99 I figure even if I had to replace it every year it will be cheaper than back surgery....lol.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-huAZRdpocAI/V3HpEnx1W9I/AAAAAAAABCM/yVNfU75xsvQMdYDJVPeUurzWZs_aHhaDACCo/s512/IMG_1182.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VIWMJXk86Ok/V3HpD9v87tI/AAAAAAAABCE/mUD9e0ejCmkGBm_T4Q-BE_n77FxP6MMVQCCo/s512/IMG_1183.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XCYXy4VfdMU/V3HpEv79gfI/AAAAAAAABCQ/m8_S6xpo0TIZhbfeECopURHW9KpNNh2mgCCo/s512/IMG_1184.JPG

[chart]

interesting to see how long it holds up

[scook]

Is the suspension hydraulic, pneumatic or just springs?

[Blue_Runner]

I think combination of hydraulic and spring. You can look it up online probably. It came from Tractor Supply, brand is Concentric and the box says Universal Tractor seat with adjustable suspension.

By having the combination of hydro and spring you don't bounce on it....when it compresses it comes up more slowly.

[Blue_Runner]

http://www.landmsupply.com/department/lawn-garden/power-equipment/mowers/replacement-seats/concentric-international-yellow-adjustable-suspension-tractor-seat?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=google_base&gclid=CITGroDwys0CFQetaQodkIQGcg

[tsubaki]

If you happen to be closer to an Agri Supply store, they carry them too!

[Blue_Runner]

For heavy saltwater use it probably wouldn't hold up for many years but I trailer and only hit the salt a dozen or so times per year. The rest of the time I'm on the lake, so I think it will last a few seasons.

There's a couple of bolts I need to replace with stainless that controls the tilt.

The suspension is adjustable for weight between 110 lbs and 265 lbs by turning the knob on top. I got the idea from a couple other people online who went this route instead of shucking out 700 bucks for a commercial model glyde ryde system.

Funny story, I was using my iphone as a flashlight tightening down the through bolts and accidentally dropped my phone through a 2 inch gap into the dead space of the hull that lies between the captain seat and passenger seat! She was waaaaay down in there and none of our hands would come close to fitting in the gap, let alone reaching it if we could. So I found a stiff metal rod, stuck some really sticky duct tape on there and got it out. It was a tense few moments. hahaha

[macojoe]

Great idea!!

[Destroyer]

Funny story, I was using my iphone as a flashlight tightening down the through bolts and accidentally dropped my phone through a 2 inch gap into the dead space of the hull that lies between the captain seat and passenger seat! She was waaaaay down in there and none of our hands would come close to fitting in the gap, let alone reaching it if we could. So I found a stiff metal rod, stuck some really sticky duct tape on there and got it out. It was a tense few moments. hahaha

Yet another of the 1,000,000,000,001 uses for duct tape. :love:

[bradford]

Yet another of the 1,000,000,000,001 uses for duct tape. :love:

Missed opportunity to cut a forward battery compartment in the deck.

I wonder if you could paint the seat base with galvanize in a can and then top coat with rustoleum white?

[scook]

Thanks for the link.

[Blue_Runner]

ROLMAO Bradford, I pondered the thought of that phone becoming a permanent part of the boat! The phone light was still on but was facing down. There was a faint glow in there.

As far as painting it, while it would look a whole lot better I don't think it would serve much of a purpose. The internal parts, spring, adjustment, etc. are probably what's going to go first. I will just clean really good and hit it with some lube here and there. If I end up really liking it I'll replace it as necessary as long as it lasts a few seasons. Don't really want to spend $100 per year on it.

Macojoe, thanks - do you mean the tractor base or the duct tape :haha:

[macojoe]

Both! :nice:

[jvitiel]

That's a great idea. Where do your feet land when using it? Flat on the deck? Toes only?

[Blue_Runner]

The travel is only 3 - 4 inches, but to your point, the seat sits a good bit higher than it did --- pro = I can see over the windshield, con = steering wheel a little too low and something needed for feet). I have an insulated fish bag I put there so my feet can touch, otherwise it is my toes. I may get a foot rest.

Tested at the beach over the 4th. Still VERY happy with it. My wife said she could see it moving up and down on about every wave even the smaller ones. Over the course of a solid 8 - 10 hour day fishing and running hard I think it is going to make a huge difference.

Washed it really good at the car wash. I'll spray it with some CRC 656 when I get home.

[jvitiel]

I'm really liking that. I hate my current seat. Despite the looks, do you think that the tractor seat that came with it would work decent on the boat?

It looks like it comes both armless seats and with arms on the mfg's website but the one with arms is all I can find for sale..

[Blue_Runner]

it is armless (IMHO) and yea, the arima boat people used the actual tractor seat.
This is the same seat I bought. Can't comment on comfort of it, but there's suspension under it so WTH!?!

Link:
http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=305009

[jvitiel]

Great. This is looking really good. Thanks for the Arima thread. I just ordered a blue one from L&M and will try and install it on my adjustable swivel pedestal.

Updates to come and thanks !

[jvitiel]

Ok the seat came and I installed it. Will try it on the water tomorrow. So far looks good. I bent the arms in a bit and its actually more compact than my old one and swivels no problem.

The pedestal is at its max height in the pics and my line of vision above the windshield falls half way between the bow and the top of the bow railing - which is plenty. The two footrests feel a little too low right now so I will try lowering the seat some tomorrow.

I haven't even tried it yet but I already love it. Great find - thanks Blue_Runner!

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh592/jvitieljvitiel/IMG_20160715_112505_zps1pjcn6xn.jpg (http://s1253.photobucket.com/user/jvitieljvitiel/media/IMG_20160715_112505_zps1pjcn6xn.jpg.html)

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh592/jvitieljvitiel/IMG_20160715_112515_zpsn0feb0sa.jpg (http://s1253.photobucket.com/user/jvitieljvitiel/media/IMG_20160715_112515_zpsn0feb0sa.jpg.html)

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh592/jvitieljvitiel/IMG_20160715_112521_zps4medi5eq.jpg (http://s1253.photobucket.com/user/jvitieljvitiel/media/IMG_20160715_112521_zps4medi5eq.jpg.html)

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh592/jvitieljvitiel/IMG_20160715_112537_zpskn6jxnur.jpg (http://s1253.photobucket.com/user/jvitieljvitiel/media/IMG_20160715_112537_zpskn6jxnur.jpg.html)

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh592/jvitieljvitiel/IMG_20160715_112548_zpsmyj6rhlb.jpg (http://s1253.photobucket.com/user/jvitieljvitiel/media/IMG_20160715_112548_zpsmyj6rhlb.jpg.html)

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh592/jvitieljvitiel/IMG_20160715_112613_zpsudut5rdj.jpg (http://s1253.photobucket.com/user/jvitieljvitiel/media/IMG_20160715_112613_zpsudut5rdj.jpg.html)

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh592/jvitieljvitiel/IMG_20160715_112637_zpsnfkwrkkl.jpg (http://s1253.photobucket.com/user/jvitieljvitiel/media/IMG_20160715_112637_zpsnfkwrkkl.jpg.html)

[Blue_Runner]

Hey it looks really good, nice job! Let us know how it goes. I haven't had a good ocean test yet. It will probably be a few weeks. I broke one of my vhf antennas (brand new) backing under the lean-to and also my fuel vent got smashed agains the dock.- so I've got some repairs to do first.

[reelapeelin]

Lookin good, Blue...:party:

[Blue_Runner]

Thanks Oz..

My repairs are compounding. Lost a leaf spring two weekends ago. Got that fixed but was unable to acquire the parts to replace the other 3. Planning to order online on wednesday. My spare tire tread decided to pop loose. Same thing happened to one of my tires on the trailer a while back. Seems like a Maxxis tire defect if you ask me.....good looking tread and it just pops loose? Was surprised to see this happen on the spare which isn't even under load.
I carry 2 spares anyway, but down to 1 now makes me uneasy on a long tow.

[jvitiel]

So here is an update on my seat installation.

Over all its real good. I have the weight adjustment set to minimum even though I'm about 195lbs. It bottoms out occasionally which is no big deal and I like the softer ride. If I went into rougher waters I would probably tighten it up but I haven't needed to yet. The foot rests work well and it never feels awkward.

The mechanism seems to be holding up in the weather pretty nice - although it's under a car-port most of the time.

On the downside, the seat itself isn't great. It's compact which is good and allows it to swivel - but the blue vinyl gets hot and although it's durable and reasonably comfortable, it looks pretty dorky. I may swap it out but haven't seen something I like better yet.

The whole assembly is also heavy - maybe 25lbs. more than the plain seat I have on the port side.

Finally I think I will probably paint the black mechanism grey. I'm not a fashion plate but it's a bit much as it is.

Still, all in all a good mod. If you want a soft ride at a nice price this may be a good option to consider.

[bradford]

Good info.

[Blue_Runner]

I concur with your assessment. I dialed mine up a bit above the minimum because of the bottoming out potential. I figured on the right wave set bottoming out might hurt my back more than not having the suspension in the first place because of the momentum build up and inertia involved in the sudden bottoming. But as you know, adjustment is as easy as turning the knob so no real need to find that one setting for all situations.

After 1 use in salt I'm seeing a little bit of rust bleeding onto the fiberglass seat base. Something I expected, but it isn't terrible yet.

I still haven't done a 50 + mile one way trip yet. That will be the real test. I've got most of my repairs done, but still have to replace 3 trailer leaf springs/u bolts. Ordered the parts online, got them last week, taking boat off trailer and planning to repair over the next few days.

Then a matter of finding a suitable weekend weather window to head out.

[Blue_Runner]

Got my trailer leaf springs replaced a couple weeks ago. All went very smoothly. in disassembly of the old leaf springs 90 percent of the u bolts and bolts broke off fairly easily which made it a breeze.

Me and my buddy just got back from a weekend fishing trip. We fished Saturday and Sunday (yesterday). In all we spent over 20 hours on the boat, burned nearly 200 gallons of fuel and covered 250 + miles on the water. Tractor seat base was a real back saver. I'm a little sore all over just from all of the work that went into the trip, but my back feels fine. Had it not been for the seat base I'm pretty certain my back would be completely screwed right now.

Only one negative I encountered. That is since the seat moves up and down I would bump my right knee on the wheel and sometimes shifter. Not hard, but the kind of bump that starts to hurt a little over time. Adjusting the seat helped. At one point I wrapped a towel around my knee. LOL No biggie.

Report & pics will be put up this evening or tomorrow in the Fishing section.

[jvitiel]

Wow. That's a lot of runnin'..

I find that my knee bumps into the shifter too. It is annoying. I may glue a piece of closed cell foam to the offending part of the shifter.