Helm Seat advice

[Rich L]

My boat has a low console and hence steering position. This works quite well with the existing bench seat which is quite low but I would like to install something providing greater support for the helm, at reasonable cost and move the bench seat backwards for passengers.

Any ideas? I think most jockey seats sit too high to suit the position of the steering wheel (and would look a little odd).

Are there low level jockey seats? or anything else?

I don't want to change the console which I like.

All suggestions welcome.

Thanks!

[John Kennett]

One of the big advantages of the normal RIB layout of high(ish) console and jockey seats is the ability to stand up and drive.

The only seats that I would fit with a console this low would be bucket seats (assuming that there is enough legroom!). I can't see any point in putting jocky seats in.

Other options are:

1 - live with it as it is
2 - replace the console
3 - flog the boat and buy something different!

If it was me I'd be seriously considering options 2 and 3, but I am abnormally tall and not very tolerant of low consoles

John

[Jono]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

...but I am abnormally deformed and not very tolerant of other life-forms..

John

There ya go, John...... fixed it for ya

[Pete7]

Rich, does she have a built in fuel tank and does it stick up above the deck? if not then you have a flat deck any number of seat and console combinations could be fitted. She looks a nice boat so how about a pair of single console side by side if you have enough room? Would be worth holding on for Ribex and taking a tape measure and your boats measurements along to see what each manufacturer offers. Great way to try out lots of different seats and heights shapes etc.

Personally I, like JK, don't like low seats but Lee does produce a low seat if you wanted.

http://leewaycomposites.homepages.wi...thirdpage.html

Pete

[Rich L]

Thanks Guys!

John - come across any cost effective bucket seats? I do have room under the console.

Pete7 - no, the tank is external so their are many options open. However, the beam is narrow which is a bit limiting. I SHOULD change the console, but not just now thanks! It's a good looking console, just not very practical!

Ribex is a good idea.

[Pete7]

Or keep the console, drop in a pair of low bucket seats and go racing with it next year in the new rib racing series, should be a fast boat if its based on the Shakespear hull

Pete

[Rich L]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Or keep the console, drop in a pair of low bucket seats and go racing with it next year in the new rib racing series, should be a fast boat if its based on the Shakespear hull

Pete

Hmmm - very tempting.... (if I could afford a new engine ) but no connection with Shakespear. She is Olmec born and bred. Does have racing pedigree though. Ask Cookie...

FYI, this is Rubberjoey's version with 'proper' console.

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by Rich L

John - come across any cost effective bucket seats? I do have room under the console.

Adam Younger makes some good ones, and at less than £250 each they're about the same price as a jockey pod! http://www.k4plus.com/shop.asp?catid=3

no connection with Shakespear. She is Olmec born and bred.

Last I heard Ed was a tube maker not a naval architect

I might be wrong, but haven't got the energy for another lengthy "who designed that boat" discussion though!

John

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Personally I, like JK

Awww!

Why not consider extending the console upwards (perhaps to something like rubberjoey's?) by building a simple GRP top which could be bonded, bolted or hinged onto the existing console, which would effectively become the base. Maybe Ed still has the moulds from rubberjoey's taller console, or the moulds from your console, to do something like this? But I suspect that you would be able to work from a template made from the top of your existing console to make something suitable.

Then you could consider any conventional seat, custom or off-the-shelf.

[ADS]

Rich, if you are happy with your current console I would buy some Phantom Evo style seats! I have no idea where you can buy them, but they are the nuts!

Alex

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by ADS

I would buy some Phantom Evo style seats! I have no idea where you can buy them

Phantom Evolution would probably be the best bet! Neil Holmes is a member here (phantom evo) so drop him a line.

Originally Posted by Richard B

Why not consider extending the console upwards (perhaps to something like rubberjoey's?) by building a simple GRP top which could be bonded, bolted or hinged onto the existing console, which would effectively become the base.

Crompton used to make 2 piece consoles a bit like this. They seem to be functional enough, but man they were ugly!

John

[Louise]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

They seem to be functional enough, but man they were ugly!

You've only got to look at me to know that Richard chooses functionality over looks!

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Crompton used to make 2 piece consoles a bit like this.

The Solent console is made in a similar way, and the other one to look at would be the Osprey 2-man console fitted to a Vipermax.

[Rich L]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Last I heard Ed was a tube maker not a naval architect

I might be wrong, but haven't got the energy for another lengthy "who designed that boat" discussion though!

John

Ahem....Ed & Joe (Rubberjoey) amongst others designed & moulded the hulls..... and as far as I know they are good boys - ask their mothers....

The Hull was briefly marketed by Aquaflyte.

Thanks for the links

[ribraff]

Years ago, before Olmec, Joe(rubberJoey), a guy called Bob and I decided to start a rib manufacturing company, we started with the boat 6.1 model which Rich L has, after a while we decided to become a tubing specialist, the partnership was disbanded, i took on Olmec and Joe and bob have the molds for the 6.1, under Olmec we farmed them out to a couple of rib manufacturer's who built them under their own name (Aquaflyte).
Sorry for the long winded history!

[John Kennett]

In which case I am happy to stand corrected!

John