tractor seat base = suspension = happier back!

[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!

[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...

[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.