Fishing or resting on the water ceases to be a pleasure when after an hour of sitting, the back begins to curl and the legs hurt. PVC It rarely provides comfort, especially when waiting for a long time to catch a cool or pass a distance, which is why experienced boaters first think about upgrading the interior of the boat.
The folding chair solves a lot of problems: it lifts the fisherman above the damp bottom, ensures a proper fit, and often has built-in gear niches, but simply taking any chair with you on a swim is not an option. Boat design dictates its strict requirements for weight, dimensions and method of fastening any additional equipment.
In this article, we will explore why regular tourist chairs can be dangerous on the water, which models are ideal for inflatable boards, and how to securely lock the seat so that it does not leave at the most inopportune moment. Choosing the right equipment is not only a matter of convenience, but also safety on the water.
Why a regular tourist seat is not suitable for a boat
At first glance, it seems like there's no difference between a hiking chair and a boat accessory. operation The main problem is stability on a soft, vibrating and often wet base, and a simple three-legged or light clamshell with narrow legs can easily fall through an inflated bottom or, worse, damage it.
The second critical point is corrosion, and even if you only use the boat on freshwater, humid air and splashes are doing their job. Metallic elements And the cheap chairs rust quickly, staining the sides and clothes, and eventually they can just fall apart under load. Aluminum alloys here beat steel, but they also require high-quality anodizing.
⚠️ Warning: Never use chairs with sharp metal elements on the legs without special plastic linings. When the boat rolls or a sharp movement can pierce the balloon, which will lead to an emergency on the water.
Also worth considering is sailing. The high back of a conventional chair in the wind works like a sail, shifting the boat's center of gravity and making it difficult to steer. small-boat Every gram and every centimeter of height is important for stability.
Key criteria for choosing a seat for PVC boat
When choosing boat-seat You need to focus on specific parameters that are not as important for camping. First, look at the foot foot foot foot foot foot foot foot foot footprint. The wider the bottom-to-bottom contact, the less pressure the PVC material is put on and the more stable the structure. Many fishing equipment manufacturers equip their legs with special "skis" or wide plastic plugs.
The weight of the structure is the second most important factor: the boat already has a limited load capacity, which is divided between the engine, fuel, gear and crew. A heavy steel chair weighing 5-7 kg will significantly reduce the payload. aviationThey weigh no more than 2-3 kg, but can withstand up to 120 kg of load.
The third aspect is functionality and ergonomics, and the fisherman spends many hours in the chair, so having a soft back and adjusting the angle of inclination is critical. cupholders, pockets for sonar and even rod mounts, which turns the chair into a full-fledged workplace.
- 🎣 Frame material: Anodized aluminum or stainless steel is preferred, the fabric is an oxford with water-repellent impregnation.
- 📏 Dimensions: The width of the seat should not interfere with rowing, and the height of the back should allow free passage under the awning or roof of the boat.
- 🔩 Fixtures: The presence of holes or braces for fixing to stringers or transom significantly increases safety.
When buying, pay attention to the presence of removable covers on the seat. The fabric on the water gets dirty faster, and the ability to wash the case without removing it from the frame is a huge plus.
Types of structures: from classics to transformer chairs
The water-motor equipment market offers several basic seat types. folding-chair The cross is the easiest option, compact, cheap and easy to install anywhere in the cockpit, but these models often lack the rigid fixation to the hull of the boat, which forces the fisherman to adjust his legs constantly.
A more advanced version. rotary-staffThey allow you to rotate 360 degrees, which is convenient when catching fish or throwing gear from side to side, and usually these models have a more massive base that distributes the weight of the fisherman over a larger area of the bottom, preventing the cylinders from breaking through.
Special attention deserves handbagWhen assembled, they are a backpack or a bag for things, and when laid out, a full seating position, ideal for those who value minimalism and save space in the trunk of a car, often with pockets for small things, which frees up space in the boat.
⚠️ Attention: Rotary armchairs require a perfectly flat and rigid surface. On a soft inflated bottom, the rotary arm may jam or create a dangerous backlash, leading to a fall.
Methods of fastening a chair in a PVC boat
Safety is paramount. A chair floating on the bottom of a boat, when braking or swelling, can cause injury or damage to equipment. seat-holding It has to be solved before it even comes out into the water. There are several proven fastening methods, each of which has its own advantages.
The easiest way is to use the staff liner-pin Or stringers, if they're designed by the boat, and the chair is simply tied to them with slings or carbines, and it doesn't require drilling the hull and it retains a warranty, but it doesn't always provide a rigid fixation, and the chair can be a little bit "cruising."
A more reliable option is the installation guide The chair is mounted on these rails with special sliding mounts, which makes it easy to move the seat along the side, changing the position for fishing, and just as easy to fix it at the right point, the installation of the rail requires accuracy and the use of special glue for PVC.
For plywood floorboard (hard floor) in the boat can be used bolt-jointPlywood drills holes, and the chair is screwed tightly, which is the toughest option, but it's not mobility-enabled and requires floor drilling, which is not always desirable.☑️ Checking the seat anchorage
Comparative specifications of popular models
To make the choice easier, we have compiled a comparison table of popular models that have proven themselves among water-engines, which will help determine the priorities of weight, comfort or functionality.
| Model | Frame material | Weight, kg | Max. load, kg. | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing Chair FC-100 | aluminum | 2.5 | 120 | Backpack bag, cup holder |
| Norfin NF-2102 | Steel | 4.2 | 140 | Back adjustment, wide legs |
| Alaska Lux | aluminum | 3.1 | 130 | Turning seat, pockets. |
| Tonar 2126 | Steel/Plastic | 3.8 | 120 | Budget option, compactness |
And as you look at the table, you can see that aluminum models are winning in weight, which is critical for carrying gear to water. Steel variants tend to be cheaper and can withstand more weight, but require more careful maintenance.
For small inflatable boats (up to 3 meters) optimal aluminum bag seats weighing up to 2.5 kg For boats from 3.5 meters with hard floorboard can be considered more massive structures with a steel frame.
Care and extension of service life
Even the best equipment requires maintenance, especially in an aggressive aquatic environment. After every fishing trip, especially in salt water, the chair must be rinsed with fresh water. The salt, drying on the fabric and metal, crystallizes and begins to corrode the material, and can also damage the material. PVC coating boats in transit.
The only thing that you need to dry is completely decomposed, and if you remove the damp fabric in the case, you inevitably get mold and an unpleasant smell, which will be difficult to get rid of later. siliconeIt is not washed away by water and protects against corrosion.
When stored in winter, make sure that the fabric does not get direct sunlight - ultraviolet destroys the structure of polyester filaments. Also avoid storage in unheated garages with sharp temperature changes, which can lead to loss of elasticity of the seat fabric.
The secret to repairing torn fabric
If the seat fabric is torn, don't rush to throw away the chair, buy a piece of reinforced PVC fabric (used for stretch ceilings or awnings) from the construction store and glue it on the inside with a special PVC glue (for example, two-component polyurethane) that will restore strength better than any thread.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I attach the chair directly to an inflated balloon without floorboard?
Point pressure of the legs of the chair on the thin shell of the cylinder can lead to its deformation or rupture. Be sure to use a hard base (plywood floorboard, slate mat) or chairs with a very wide support area, specially designed for such conditions.
Which chair is best for winter fishing?
Insulation and stability are the most important for winter: choose models with high legs to sit higher above the cold surface of ice or snow, and always with waterproof fabric (Oxford 600D and above). Metal frame in the cold can become brittle, so it is better to avoid cheap alloys.
Do I need to remove the chair while driving for an outboard motor?
Yes, it's a safety rule. When driving for an outboard motor, all foreign objects must be securely secured or removed, and a free-standing seat may be displaced by a wave or maneuver, block the control, or throw the fisherman overboard.
Can a folding chair hold a full person (130-140 kg)?
Most standard models are designed for 100-120 kg. For people with a high weight, you need to look for specialized reinforced models (often labeled as XL or Heavy Duty) with a thick-walled tube frame and reinforced stitching of seams.