Comfort while fishing or waterwalking often determines whether you will return to the same place next season. The standard inflatable jars that come as standard equipment for most PVC boats rarely meet the ergonomics requirements for hours on the water. boat-seatThis system changes the level of comfort and allows you to maintain efficiency even after 6-8 hours of swimming.
The current market offers many solutions, from simple pillows to complex structures with rigid frames and rod mounts. A well-chosen model not only protects the back, but also improves safety by ensuring a stable landing in pitching conditions. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to choose the best option without overpaying for unnecessary functions.
It's a mistake to think that any seat is suitable for any boat. NDMA (low pressure inflatable floor) or sleigh, as well as the type of boards, play a crucial role in the choice of attachment method, and ignoring these factors can lead to the fact that the equipment purchased will be uncomfortable or even dangerous to operate.
Advantages of inflatable seats over rigid structures
The main argument for inflatable models is their versatility and light weight, unlike plywood or aluminum chairs. fly-chair It's a minimal volume in the transport bag, which is critical for owners of compact boats, and the soft design cushions the shocks against the waves, reducing the load on the spine.
The second important aspect is safety: in an emergency, such as when a boat rolls over, the inflatable structure can serve as an additional floating element, and a rigid chair in this situation becomes a dangerous projectile that can damage the side of the boat or injure people in the water.
If you plan long transitions, choose models with high backs - they better support the cervical spine, which often becomes foul when rowing.
And the temperature is also important, because in summer, plastic or metal can get very hot in the sun, making landing uncomfortable. PVC fabricThe seat is made of a comfortable temperature and does not require additional covers, which is especially true in southern regions where the sun aggressively affects equipment.
But soft structures have their own operating specifications, which require more care for punctures and require periodic pumping, because air pressure varies with ambient temperature, but these inconveniences are more than compensated by comfort.
Types of structures: from simple pillows to chairs with backrest
The classification of inflatable seats is broad enough to depend on your personal preferences and fishing style, and the basic option is simple inflatable cans, which are sealed cylinders, often with pockets for trifles, which are cheap but do not provide orthopedic support.
The more advanced level is floppy-chair They have a rigid frame inside or an inflatable body shape base, often with tilt-adjustable backrests, and for those who prefer active fishing with frequent boat movements, there are models with mounts that hold the seat on the bottom.
- 🎣 Pillow banks: The simplest design, ideal for short outputs and an economy version of tuning.
- 🪑 Backrest seats: provide support for the waist, suitable for many hours of fishing in one place.
- ⚓ transom seats: They are attached to the transom, freeing up space inside the cockpit, but limit the view forward.
And we should also mention the models with integrated cup holders and rod holders. functionalitiesBut the extra elements increase the sailing capacity of the structure and require a more secure attachment.
Manufacturing materials and their impact on durability
The durability of an inflatable seat depends on the quality of the material. Most manufacturers use reinforced seating. PVC For the bottom of the seat, which is subjected to maximum load, it is recommended to use a fabric density of at least 850 g/sq.m. Thinner materials are quickly wiped on the slate or bottom of the boat.
Another important parameter is the material's resistance to ultraviolet radiation, which can fade and lose elasticity after the first season of active use in the sun, and high-quality models often have a special coating to protect polymer chains from destruction.
Seams are a weak point in any inflatable structure, and good seats use double welding or high-strength welding. Only models with boiled seams guarantee complete tightness at sharp temperature changes. Adhesive compounds can dry out over time, especially if poor-quality glue is used.
⚠️ Attention: Never use a rubber seat without a protective layer in salt water, and salt penetrates the micropores of the material and accelerates its destruction, causing it to lose its tightness at the most inopportune moment.
To reinforce the structure in places of high voltage (corners, belt attachment), manufacturers often brew additional tapes of the same fabric, which prevents breaks during jerking loads when the fisherman stands up abruptly or sits in pitching conditions.
Methods of fastening and installation in a PVC boat
The right seat fixation is a safety feature, and there are several basic ways to fit, each with its own advantages, depending on your boat's design and personal preference.
The most common option is to attach slings and carbines to the crumbs or rings on the sides, which makes it easy to adjust the seat position or remove it if necessary, but with a strong boltan, you can swing, which can be uncomfortable.
☑️ Checking of the attachment reliability
A more rigid fixation provides the installation of lyctrose This is a special slider that allows you to move the seat along the side without unfastening the mounts, which is ideal for boats where the mobility of the fisherman is important.
For hard-floor boats (plywood or aluminum), suction cups or sleds are possible, but this method is less common for inflatable seats and more often used for rigid structures. It is important to ensure that the chosen installation site does not block access to cylinder valves.
| Type of attachment | Difficulty of installation | Mobility | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slings on pouch-handles | Low. | High. | Medium |
| lyctross sliders | Medium | Medium | High. |
| Fastex belts | Low. | Low. | High. |
| Velcro straps (Velcro) | Low. | Low. | Low. |
When installing, always check whether the sharp attachments (metal buckles, carbines) of the boat cylinders are not touching. At the points of contact, it is recommended to use protective linings or apply fabric to eliminate the risk of puncture.
Maintenance and repair of inflatable seats
For an inflatable seat to last, it needs to be taken care of. After every fishing trip, especially in salt water or dirty water bodies, the structure should be rinsed with fresh water, which will wash away the aggressive salts and abrasive particles that can damage the material when folded.
Drying is a mandatory step before packaging. Even a small amount of moisture inside the cover or between layers of tissue can lead to mold that destroys the polymer structure of PVC. Dry the product should be in the shade, avoiding direct sunlight, which can cause uneven air expansion and deformation of the seams.
How do I seal a puncture in the seat?
For repairs, use a special remix kit that comes with the boat. Degrease the surface around the puncture with acetone or alcohol, apply glue to the patch and the site of damage, let it dry for 5-10 minutes, then press tightly. Full polymerization takes 24 hours.
Keep the seat spread out or loosely rolled up, avoiding sharp clamps, and long-term compressed storage under pressure from other things can cause microcracks in the fold.
Check the pressure in the chambers regularly. A pumped seat on a hot day can burst, and a poorly pumped one can quickly lose shape and stop performing its functions. The optimal pressure is usually indicated in the product passport and is about 0.2-0.3 atmosphere.
Rating of popular models and manufacturers
There are many brands on the market, from domestic manufacturers to eminent Chinese factories, and the leaders of the segment are companies specializing in PVC materials, such as: frigate, hunter and BadgerTheir products are of high quality seams and use of proven materials.
The budget segment is represented by a variety of versatile models, which are often sold as pool or beach accessories. They may be cheaper, but their resource in real fishing is much lower, the savings in this case can come out sideways.
When choosing, you should pay attention to the availability of warranty and the availability of remixes. Popular brands usually supply spare valves and patches, which allows you to extend the life of the product. For models "nouneim" to find a suitable valve can be difficult.
The best investment is a seat from the manufacturer of your boat, as it is guaranteed to fit in color, material and attachment methods.
In conclusion, a quality inflatable seat is not just comfort, but an important element of equipment that affects the pleasure of the process.
Can I use a regular inflatable cushion instead of a special seat?
Technically, it's possible, but it's not recommended. Conventional pillows don't have fastenings, they slide over wet surfaces, they don't have the necessary stiffness, and specialty seats have an anti-slip coating and anatomical shape.
What pressure should be in the inflatable seat?
The optimal pressure is 0.2-0.25 atm. the Seat should be elastic, but when pressed by hand to bend 1-2 cm Pumping is dangerous by rupture of seams in the sun.
Are the inflatable seats compatible with electric motors?
Yes, most models are compatible. All that matters is that the seat is positioned properly so that it doesn't interfere with the engine and access to the tiller. There are models specifically designed for electric fishing.
How to cleanse the seat of fish mucus and blood?
Use warm soapy water and a soft sponge. Avoid aggressive chemicals and solvents that can damage the protective layer of PVC. After cleaning, be sure to dry the product.