For many beginners, the question of what a boat seat is called may seem trivial, but in a professional environment, the accuracy of terminology often depends on safety and legal literacy. In everyday life, this detail is simply called a “seat”, but technically and structurally there are several types, each of which has its own unique name and purpose. Understanding these differences is necessary not only for proper communication with sellers in stores, but also for competent operation of the craft.
The main confusion is between the terms "bank" and "cockpit", and between removable elements and fixed structures. What's the name of a boat seat? Depending on the type of design, we'll look at the design and materials, and you'll learn why some models are banned by GIMS inspectors, while others are considered the standard of comfort for long-distance crossings.
We will focus on ergonomics and safety, because an improperly selected or installed seat can cause injury or even tipping over the vessel on the wave, and we will analyze modern solutions for inflatable and metal boats, so that you can choose the best option for your tasks. The term "bank" is applied exclusively to cross boards in inflatable boats, whereas "cockpit" is a notch in the deck of a boat.
Bank: a classic solution for inflatable boats
The most common answer to the question, what is the name of sitting in an inflatable boat, is bankHistorically, the term came from the sailing fleet, which called a transom board thrown over the sides of a lifeboat. In modern inflatable boats, PVC Bank serves not only as a seating place, but also as a critical element of rigidity, bursting the side and preventing them from collapsing inwards under pressure from water or passengers.
Structurally, the bank is an inflatable or rigid jumper that is attached to the sides using special pockets, licros or a system. LiquigripHard cans are often made of moisture-resistant plywood or aluminum profiles with anti-slip coating. It is important to understand that using homemade wooden boards instead of regular cans can be dangerous, as they may not withstand the stress of breaking cylinders.
Modern cans are often equipped with soft pads or removable cushions to improve comfort. However, it is worth remembering that any additional softness increases sailing and can shift the center of gravity. For fishing on banks, special fastening systems for rods or sonars are often installed, turning them into multifunctional jobs.
- 🛶 Classic wooden jar with linoleum coating is a budget and reliable option.
- 💨 Inflatable can-float - light, does not sink when overturned, but is less stable.
- ⚓ Aluminum profile with soft mat is the modern standard for premium boats.
⚠️ Warning: Never use items that are not designed for this purpose as they may slip off the mounts at a critical moment, which will result in a loss of stability of the boat.
Cockpit and deck seats in rigid enclosures
If you own a metal boat or a plastic boat, the terminology changes dramatically, and there are rarely removable crossbars in these vessels. cockpitThis is a recess in the body, limited by sides and bulkheads, and the seats in the cockpit can be built into the shell structure (formed) or be separate modules.
Unlike cans, cockpit seats often have backs and armrests, providing comfort when exposed to water for long periods of time, can be stationary, welded or glued to the bottom, or removable, mounted on special sleds. Metal boats are characterized by the use of aluminum frames with stretched textiles or soft foam wrapped in vinyl skin.
A special class of rotary seats are those mounted on a pedestal, which allows the operator to turn 360 degrees, which is critical when driving a motor or trolling, but the installation of high seats requires careful calculation of the stability of the vessel so as not to overturn on a turn.
When choosing equipment for a cockpit, it is important to consider the corrosion resistance of materials: aluminum alloys must have anodized coating, and steel must have a quality powder paint. Otherwise, constant contact with salt water or simply high humidity will quickly lead to the destruction of the seat frame.
Fixed seats and hazel-seats
Special attention deserves stationaryIn the context of boats, these are specialized products that can withstand dynamic loads, vibration and ultraviolet, which are divided into captain's (high backs and head restraints) and passenger ones. The key difference is the way of attachment: only on bolts through reinforced inserts in the bottom or on special cabinets.
The hand-held seats are a brilliant solution to save space, especially in small boats, and they're basically a crate with a soft lid that serves as both a storage area and a seat, often placed along the sides or on the bow of the boat, and they allow you to compactly accommodate life jackets, anchors, fuel tanks and other equipment.
The material for upholstery of these seats is a special marine viniliskozh, which does not rot, is easy to wash and is resistant to salts. The filler is most often high-density foam or modern polymeric materials that do not absorb water. It is important that the lid of the runduk open easily, but firmly fixed in the open position, so as not to flap your fingers on the wave.
☑️ Choosing a boat seat
When installing stationary seats, you need to strictly follow the manufacturer's recommendations for weight distribution. Shifting the center of gravity too high or too far at the stern / nose can make the boat snarky or, conversely, roll.
Materials and Ergonomics: What to Sit on for Hours
Comfort on the water is not a luxury, but a necessity, since an uncomfortable landing leads to rapid fatigue and reduced reaction. boat-seat The seat must be too soft, or the feeling of “connection” with the boat disappears, which is important when passing waves.
Frames are made of a variety of materials. Aluminum is lightweight and does not rust, but expensive. Steel is strong and cheap, but requires perfect corrosion protection. Plastic (composites) is becoming more popular due to the ability to create complex shapes and absolute inertia to water. Wood in its pure form is rarely used, usually only as a basis for soft elements, and requires careful varnishing.
Fabric solutions such as slings or stretched fabric on the frame provide quick water runoff and drying. This is ideal for boats that often draw water or are used in the rain. However, for long transitions, hard sling surfaces can be tedious, so removable soft liners are often used.
| Type of material | Advantages | Deficiencies | Where applicable |
|---|---|---|---|
| aluminum | Lightness, corrosion resistance | High price, complexity of repairs | Boats, premium boats |
| Steel | Durability, low cost | Weight, risk of rust | Metal Boats |
| PVC/Plastic | Moisture resistance, flexibility | Less stiff, may fade | Inflatable boats, chairs. |
| Wood (plywood) | Availability, maintainability | It soaks up moisture, it rots. | Banks, flooring. |
Material choice depends on budget and operating conditions. For salt water, aluminum and special marine alloys remain the leader, and for freshwater and seasonal use, high-quality composites and processed steel are quite suitable.
Fixing and safety: GIMS standards
The issue of safety when installing seats is regulated by the technical regulations and GIMS rules. fixationThe seat must not displace, break off or deform in sudden maneuvers. For inflatable boats, it is critical that banks do not rub against cylinders with sharp angles, otherwise this will lead to the wiping of the fabric and an emergency.
There are strict rules on the number of people on board, which are directly dependent on the number and type of seats. The inspector can prohibit access to the water if he sees homemade structures that do not correspond to the carrying capacity of the boat. For example, placing a heavy chair with a driver on the nose of a small boat can be considered a violation of operating rules.
Special attention should be paid to fasteners. Bolts should be made of stainless steel, nuts - self-contacting or kerneled. The use of conventional ferrous metal is unacceptable due to the rapid destruction of the thread. All protruding parts of the fastener should be closed with plugs so as not to tear clothes or life jackets.
What happens if you break the rules of attachment?
In the event of a sudden braking or hitting a wave, an unsecured seat can become a heavy projectile, capable of causing serious injuries to passengers or piercing the side of the boat, and a person who loses support can fall overboard.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to attach seats to the inflatable elements of the boat with ropes or tape - only regular fixation systems guarantee safety.
Tuning and modernization of seats
Boat owners often seek to improve their regular seats, and the tuning market offers many solutions. slider This is especially true for boats where the driver is sitting alone and needs to control the motor or fish on board.
The addition of footrests significantly improves comfort and reduces stress on the spine during prolonged shaking. The stands can be adjustable or stationary. Also, upgrades often involve upholstery: replacing factory foam with memory foam material does wonders for back comfort.
And the functional additions, too, are the built-in cup holders, the pockets for the little things, the spinning arm mount in the arm of the chair, and all these little things make a simple seat a full-fledged fishing or captain's workplace, and the key to tuning is not to overload the structure and keep the boat balanced.
When installing new seats, use Teflon lubricant for threaded joints – this will prevent bolts from boiling and make it easy to remove the seat in the future.
Competent tuning can extend the life of a boat and make rest on the water much more pleasant. However, any changes in the design that affect stability or unsinkability should be well thought out. Experiments with the buoyancy of seats (for example, using empty canisters inside rundooks) can only be justified within the reasonable limits.
A properly selected and installed seat is the key not only to comfort, but also to the safety of the entire team on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a car seat in a boat?
Technically possible, but not recommended: Car seats have no corrosion protection, their metal will quickly rust, and the upholstery will rot from moisture, and they are heavier than specialized marine counterparts and may not have the necessary safety certificates.
What is the name of the seat you can sit on?
Depending on the design, this place can be called "dadewood," "solar platform," or simply "sleeve," and on large boats, it's often a piece of deck furniture that can be transformed from a sofa.
Do I need to register the installed chair in the GIMS?
However, if the seat installation changes the passenger capacity or load capacity of the vessel specified in the documents or changes the design of the hull (drilling new holes in the metal), this may require changes in the documents or re-registration.
How to treat a wooden can so that it does not rot?
The ideal option is to use a yacht lacquer in several layers with intermediate grinding, you can also use special wood impregnations designed to contact water, or paste the jar with a self-adhesive film with anti-slip coating.