Sooner or later, every inflatable boat owner comes to the conclusion that swimming on an inflated balloon or hard floor while bending under the weight of his own body is a dubious pleasure. Long transitions or waiting for a stick for many hours require the basic comfort that only a quality chair can provide. The market offers many options, and it is easy for a beginner to get confused with the abundance of shapes, fabrics and attachments.
Before buy a PVC boat seatIt's important to understand what kind of operating conditions it's designed for, whether it's high-speed planing, a quiet fishing trip in the reservoir, or a family trip with children, and the design and type of fixation that you choose, and not only can you get the equipment wrong, it can also create a dangerous situation on the water, disrupting the balance of the vessel.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the nuances of choice, look at popular models and help you make an informed decision. You will learn why cheap counterparts often fail faster than you can get to the shore, and on which ones you can make a decision. specification It is worth paying attention first of all when ordering.
Criteria of choice: what to look at first
The main enemy of any equipment on the water is an aggressive aquatic environment combined with ultraviolet light. boat-seatThe fabric must not only be tough to tear, but also resistant to fading, mold and decay. Often manufacturers use Oxford or a special marine plywood coated with varnish or plastic.
The second critical parameter is the mounting system, and the PVC boat has soft sides, and you can't just put a board on them, so you need to have a can (crossbars) or a special mount in inflatable tubes. There are no universal anchorages: if the boat is narrow, wide seats can shift the center of gravity and make the boat unstable.
Also worth considering is the carrying capacity. If you plan to fish fully equipped, with anchor and gear, the safety margin should be substantial. Cheap models often have thin aluminum tubes that can deform under load in dynamics, especially when passing a wave.
- 🛡️ Frame material: Anodized aluminum or stainless steel is preferred, since the ordinary metal quickly rusts.
- 🌊 Wet resistance: Upholstery should dry quickly and not absorb water, otherwise the chair will become heavy and will dry for a long time at home.
- ⚖️ Weight of construction: For small boats, every extra kilogram counts, so look for a balance between strength and lightness.
⚠️ Attention: Never use homemade wooden seats without special impregnation and protection. In constant humidity, they will quickly gain water, become heavy and may begin to rot, soiling the bottom of the boat.
Types of designs: from simple cans to rotary seats
The range of seats for inflatable boats is huge, and it can be difficult to choose the right option. bankIt's functional, but it's not comfortable, especially if you're fishing for a few hours, and to make things better, many water-engines are thinking about upgrading immediately after buying a boat.
A more advanced option is box-seatThey have a dual function of being a seating place and a storage tank for gear, tools or personal items, and they're a great space-saving solution, because in a small boat, every square centimeter of gold weight, there's usually a partition or a free cavity inside the box.
For those who appreciate maximum comfort, there are full-fledged turn-chair They can rotate 360 degrees, which is convenient for catching fish or firing different sectors of water, but they require a hard floor (NDF) and a stable platform, because they have a high sailing speed and a center of gravity.
The soft overhead seats, which are a cushion with mounts that fits on a standard jar, are a compromise for those who don't want to mess around with bulky installations but want to add a little softness.
Fixing systems: safety above all else
The safety of the fixation is a matter of your safety, and the boat is constantly jerking and pitching and vibrating on the water. buy a PVC boat seatMake sure that the model you choose has a reliable adhesion system with the sides or banks. Slipping the seat at a critical moment can lead to falling overboard or damage to the balloon.
There are several basic types of mounts, the most common being inflatable cylinder stops, which are plastic or rubber protrusions that rest against PVC fabric, and it is important that these stops are wide and do not have sharp angles that can damage the material of the boat when it is compressed.
Another option is to attach to the banks (cross-bars) with belts or special clamps, which are more static and do not depend on the pressure in the cylinders. Removable anchorages They are convenient because they allow you to quickly dismantle the seat, freeing up space for overnight stays or transportation of goods.
☑️ Checking of the attachment reliability
When installing, always check the integrity of the boat's fabric in the contact areas with the attachments. If you notice any scuffs, use the safety pads immediately or change the position of the seat. Damage to the water tank is always stressful and risky.
Materials of manufacture: durability and comfort
The durability of a seat depends on the materials it's made of. The frame is most often made from an aluminum profile or a pipe. Aluminum is lightweight and doesn't rust, but it's soft. Steel is stronger but heavier and requires a perfect coating to keep it from corroding. Sea plywood - classic material for the seats themselves, but it is afraid of prolonged contact with water, if not covered with high-quality varnish or fiberglass.
Cloth upholstery is also important: Cheap dermantine cracks in the cold, and sticks to the skin in the sun; quality manufacturers use special PVC fabrics or dense polyurethane-impregnated oxford, which is easy to wash, does not absorb fish mucus and blood, and also dries quickly.
The seat filler is another important aspect: the low density foam quickly tracks and starts to crumble, and you'd better choose models using dense polyurethane foam or combination materials that retain their shape even after many compression cycles.
| Materials | Pluses | Cons | Term of service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea plywood | Durability, availability, maintainability | Heavier than aluminum, afraid of chipping varnish | 5-7 years |
| aluminum | Lightness, corrosion resistance | High price, can bend when overloaded | 10+ years |
| Plastic (ABS) | Not afraid of water, light, cheap | Breaks in the cold, less durable | 3-5 years |
| Fiberglass | High durability, any design | High cost, complexity of repairs | 10+ years |
How to care for the materials of the seat?
After each fishing, be sure to rinse your seat with fresh water, especially if you've been in a salty pond. Metal elements can be wiped with silicone grease to protect against oxidation, and the fabric cleaned with a mild soap solution. Do not use aggressive chemistry that can destroy the protective layer of fabric or varnish.
Ergonomics: How to Sit Comfortably for a Few Hours
Fishing or boating is often all day long. Sitting on a hard surface for 4-5 hours in a row is a test for the spine. boat-seatThe anatomical shape of the seat helps to distribute body weight correctly and reduce the load on the tailbone and lower back.
The backrest is a must for comfortable fishing, it allows you to lean back while resting or waiting for a bite, the back should have a sufficient angle of inclination and be firmly fixed so as not to bend under the weight of a person, some models are equipped with adjustable backrests, which allows you to adjust the angle to suit yourself.
Seat height also matters. A seat too low is inconvenient for handling gear, too high is dangerous because it raises the boat's center of gravity, and the optimal height of the board above the water when you land should allow you to work freely with oars or fishing rods without losing balance.
⚠️ Attention: Avoid buying chairs with tall, soft armrests for narrow boats, which can interfere with rowing, grazing the sides and limit maneuverability, which is critical in an emergency.
For added comfort, use special orthopedic pillows or gel-filled covers that do not take up much space in the backpack, but significantly reduce back fatigue during prolonged shaking on the wave.
Installation and maintenance: extending the life of the equipment
The right seat installation is a guarantee of its long service. Before installation, make sure that the cylinders of the boat are pumped to working pressure. On the under-inflated sides of the mounts can shift and rub against the fabric, causing premature wear. Always follow the instructions of the boat manufacturer regarding the permissible load on the cans.
Seat maintenance doesn't require complicated procedures. The rule is dry storage. After every outing, even if the seat is visually dry, make sure to dry it at home in a straightened form. Wet cloth folded into a case is the perfect environment for fungus and mold to develop, which destroy the threads and fabric.
Regularly check the fasteners: bolts, nuts and screws, they have the ability to unwind from constant vibration. Use a thread lock or periodically tighten connections. If you notice rust on the metal parts of the frame, clean it and coat it with anti-corrosion compound.
Regular drying and checking the fastener are two simple steps that will double the life of your seat.
In winter, store equipment at room temperature; extreme temperature changes and cold storage can make plastic brittle and fabric brittle; and properly stored, you can meet the new season with your gear ready to go.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can I use a car seat in a PVC boat?
Theoretically, you can adapt the mounting system, but it's not recommended. Car seats are heavy, have a complex mechanism that is afraid of water and salt, and also a high back, which increases sailing and the risk of tipping the boat. boat-seatIt's easier and safer.
What load does a standard seat carry?
Most high-quality models are designed for a load of 120 to 150 kg. However, always take a safety margin of at least 20-30%. Dynamic loads on the wave significantly exceed the static weight of the person.
What is the difference between a boat seat with an inflatable floor and a boat with a floorboard?
For inflatable floor boats (BBBs), footing area is critical. Narrow chair legs can push the bottom or shift. Therefore, for BBBs, it is better to choose seats with wide bases or those that are attached directly to banks, bypassing the bottom. For unit boats (hard floors), any type of fastening, including rotary pillars, is suitable.
Can I make a seat myself?
Yes, many craftsmen make plywood and timber seats, but it's important to use moisture-resistant plywood (PSF), grind all the faces carefully and cover them with multiple layers of yacht lacquer or epoxy, and homemade options are often heavier than factory ones and less ergonomic.