Comfort on the water is not just a whim, but a prerequisite for safe and productive fishing or outdoor activities. Many boat owners often underestimate the importance of a quality seat, relying on regular inflatable cans or hard plywood shops that quickly leak their backs. However, modern materials allow you to equip the boat with a light and reliable seat that will not weigh the structure and absorb moisture.
Plastic chair in the boat It's a popular solution because it's durable and unpretentious to use. Unlike wood that rots or metal that corrodes, quality plastic can withstand aggressive water environments, ultraviolet light and temperature extremes for years, and choosing the right model can turn a walk into a full-fledged pleasure process, saving the strength to fight the trophy.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what types of plastic seats exist, how to properly mount them on different types of boats and what to look for when buying. Polypropylene and ABS plastic The main materials that will be discussed, and each has its own unique properties that affect the final result.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Plastic Seats
The biggest advantage of plastic products is their absolute water resistance, so you don't have to dry the seats after every trip or worry about them swelling from the water. Polymer materials They are inert to salt water, gasoline and oil, making them ideal for use in PVC boats and boats, and the surface of these seats is easy to wash and does not require special treatment with varnish or paint.
But plastic has its own specifications to consider: in cold weather, the material can become harder and less pleasant to the touch, so the use of additional covers or linings is often necessary. It is also important to pay attention to the quality of the plastic itself: cheap models can be fragile at a break in severe frosts.
The weight of the structure is another important parameter: Plastic is lighter than metal, but heavier than inflatable elements; when you install several seats, the total weight can significantly affect the carrying capacity of a small vessel; however, the balance between strength and mass in modern models is optimal.
- 🌊 Complete water resistance and no rotting, even in constant contact with water
- ☀️ High resistance to ultraviolet radiation and fading
- 🧼 Easy care: just rinse with water from a bucket or hose
⚠️ Note: When buying, pay attention to the labeling of plastic. For street use and boats, only frost-resistant polypropylene is suitable, capable of withstanding temperatures up to -30 C and below without loss of strength.
Types of materials: polypropylene against ABS plastic
There is a wide range of seats on the market, made of various polymers, and two types are the most common: PP (polypropylene) and ABS (ABS plastic)Polypropylene is highly chemically resistant and elastic, and it's easier to mold, so it can create ergonomic shapes with ribs. flexiblewhich will be more likely to bend than crack.
ABS plastic, in turn, is tougher and tougher to tear, but less resistant to impact at low temperatures, often made of frame elements or bases for rotating mechanisms, has a more glossy and smooth surface that is easier to wash, but can be slippery in wet form, the choice between them depends on which part of the structure you make or buy.
For all-wheeled seats, inflatable boats are most often used polypropylene, and its structure allows you to introduce special additives that increase resistance to sunlight. Only polypropylene seats are recommended for direct contact with PVC sides, as they do not have sharp edges that can damage cylinders.
Can plastic seats be painted?
The usual paints don't hold well on polypropylene because of its greasy surface. Dyeing requires a special primer for plastic (adhesive primer) and acrylic enamel. However, it's better to choose products that are painted in bulk, because any chip of paint on the plastic will be visible and will become a source of destruction of the coating.
Design features and types of fastenings
The design of the seat has a direct impact on comfort and safety. Simple models are rigid seat on legs that are inserted into the pockets of the sides or attached to the sleighs. More complex options are equipped with rotary mechanisms that allow you to change direction without transplanting. The turning chair. It requires a solid base, usually an aluminum or plastic slab fixed to the bottom of the boat.
Fastening is critical. Inflatable boats, you can't drill cylinders, so you use special brackets that hook to tanner boards or hinge bars. For metal boats, drilling is allowed, but the holes need to be carefully sealed. It's important that the legs of the seat have wide supports or rubber tips so that the flooring is not damaged.
Some models are equipped with height adjustable racks, which allows you to adapt the landing to the height of the fisherman or specific fishing conditions. centre You should always stay low.
Instructions for mounting a seat in a PVC boat
Installing a plastic chair in an inflatable boat requires care so that it doesn't damage the delicate material of the cylinders. The first thing you need to do is to determine the placement. It has to be symmetrical to the diametrical plane of the boat, so that you don't disturb the differentiation. If you have one seat, you'd better place it on a central bank or use a special rack that rests on the bottom.
The installation process depends on the type of attachment. For models with a focus on the side, you need to make sure that the contact points are not sharp corners. It is often recommended to put pieces of dense fabric under plastic legs or use regular pockets if they are provided for by the design of the boat.
If you're placing a rotary chair on a platform, make sure the platform is securely anchored. Movements when catching fish can be sharp, and a poorly secured seat can tip over with the fisherman. Use stainless fasteners, as regular steel rusts in one season.
☑️ Pre-installing check
⚠️ Warning: Never use sharp-ended PVC screws that pass through the cylinder material or internal partitions to anchor the boat seat, and this is guaranteed to cause leakage and speedy failure of the boat.
Overview of popular models and manufacturers
The water accessories market offers many solutions, and domestic manufacturers have distinguished brands specializing in PVC boat products, such as: Flagship or Motor.Their products are adapted to the size of popular boat models and often have an optimal value for money. Imported counterparts may offer more complex designs, but their price is often unreasonably high due to logistics.
Special attention should be paid to the versatile fishing seats, which can be used not only in the boat, but also on the shore, they are often equipped with a gear box at the bottom, but for the boat it is better to choose specialized models without unnecessary protrusions that can catch on gear or clothing. ergonomics The backs play a crucial role in long-term fishing.
When choosing a model, pay attention to the maximum load specified by the manufacturer. Plastic tends to tire during cyclic loads, so the safety margin should be significant. Geometry is also important: too deep a seat bowl can make it difficult to get up, especially in a cramped boat.
| Model | Materials | Type of attachment | Weight (kg) | Max. load (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVC Comfort seat | Polypropylene | In the pockets of the sides | 1.2 | 120 |
| The rotating fisherman chair | ABS plastic + steel | On the platform. | 4.5 | 150 |
| A folding mini chair | Polyethylene | On the floor/slob | 0.8 | 100 |
| Tranza seat | Polypropylene | On the transom. | 1.5 | 130 |
To improve comfort in hot weather, you can use special ventilated capes on plastic seats, which prevent the skin from sticking to sun-hot plastic and improve air circulation.
Care and maintenance of plastic elements
Despite the plastic's high resistance, proper care will extend its life and maintain its appearance. After each trip, especially on salt water, the seats must be rinsed with fresh water. The salt, when dried, forms crystals that can over time act as abrasives, damaging the glossy surface. Mud and fish mucus are easily removed with a soft sponge with neutral detergent.
Plastic chairs are better stored assembled, in a dry room protected from direct sunlight. Although the material is resistant to UV radiation, constant exposure to the scorching sun in the off-season can lead to gradual fading and reduced plasticity. In winter, it is not recommended to leave plastic in severe frost without load, although modern brands can withstand low temperatures.
Periodically check the places of fasteners and connections. Plastic can walk a little at temperature expansions, so bolts and screws sometimes require lifting. If you notice microcracks in places of greatest tension (usually at the base of the legs or back), it is better to replace the element in advance so as not to be in an unpleasant situation on the water.
Regular fresh water rinsing is the only care required for a plastic seat that guarantees its long service and neat appearance.
Can I use a plastic chair in a boat?
Garden seats often have sharp angles that can damage the PVC sides of boats, and they can be too heavy or bulky for limited space, and specialized models do not have these drawbacks.
What is the maximum temperature of a plastic seat?
Most high-quality polypropylene seats retain their properties in the range from -40 °C to +80 °C. At temperatures above +80 °C (for example, if you leave a boat under a polycarbonate awning on a hot day), the plastic can begin to deform under load.
How to clean a plastic seat from traces of gasoline?
Gasoline does not dissolve polypropylene, but it can leave greasy stains. Just wipe the surface with warm water with the addition of dishwashing agents. The use of aggressive solvents (acetone, 646) is not recommended, as they can make the surface matte or sticky.