Jockey used as bench?

Hightower · 18 April 2007, 20:52

Has anyone either configued their own RIB or been on one that has two double or triple jockeys side by side as per Double console style. With a double or triple jockey at 90 degrees and placed behind the other two jockeys to provide a narrow bench seat platform?

I figued that a jockey used as a bench in this way would provide two things.

1. Due to a higher seat hieght and the fact that you could brace yourself by straddling the jockey in front of you it would be more comfortable on passengers

2. I do a fair bit of fishing, so it's important to sit in comfort for a longish time facing the Stern. My only concern here might be that a jockey would be too high and too narrow but a foot rest could be built into an A frame.

Downhilldai · 18 April 2007, 20:55

Do you mean the sort of set up used on Atlantic RNLI ribs?

Hightower · 18 April 2007, 20:58

I guess so, but a bit less commercial

Nos4r2 · 18 April 2007, 21:51

How about putting a couple of nicely upholstered swivel based seats on a bench seat mount? Or even making a swivelling jockey seat that can be locked into position?

Hightower · 18 April 2007, 23:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

How about putting a couple of nicely upholstered swivel based seats on a bench seat mount? Or even making a swivelling jockey seat that can be locked into position?

Nice Idea but Sounds a little complicated.

One major factor in a design of seat on a RIB is that it takes so much punishment, it has to be built like a ....You know what!

Still, I'd like to speak to someone that had sat "side saddle" on a jockey.

Nos4r2 · 18 April 2007, 23:16

Your post got me thinking-a lot of the fishing boats that have swivel seats take a hell of a pounding too. How about a pair of seats like the ones in this?

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/SUN816/

Hightower · 18 April 2007, 23:26

Yeh not too bad. But Jockeys are very difficult to beat for comfort whilst underway. Plus I think they would look out of place pearched at the same height as jockeys. Much better to mount them at the height of a traditional Bench seat about 150mm lower than a jockey and that would compromise the comfort level too much.

Jizm · 19 April 2007, 00:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

2. I do a fair bit of fishing, so it's important to sit in comfort for a longish time facing the Stern.

Fishing = long periods of inactivity, I know the feeling well..........

IanE · 19 April 2007, 08:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Has anyone either configued their own RIB or been on one that has two double or triple jockeys side by side as per Double console style. With a double or triple jockey at 90 degrees and placed behind the other two jockeys to provide a narrow bench seat platform?

.... It wouldn't work for me because of the inboard , but how about 4 standard jockeys , and make the backrests on the back jockeys removable, or even reversible.
I regularly fish over the side sitting sideways on the seats main problem is no backrest.

Mouldy · 19 April 2007, 09:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

With a double or triple jockey at 90 degrees and placed behind the other two jockeys to provide a narrow bench seat platform?

Do you mean butting up to the forward facing jockeys to make an enclosed U space? If so, would the backrest of the front jockeys be in the way or are they backless?

I fitted a bench at the rear with a tubular backrest that folds forward for rear facing. I take your point about rough weather, but you can straddle the corner of the bench leaning forward (if it doesn't have raised sides) and take weight on your feet if you feel the boat lift. Feels much more secure than sitting on the tubes! Loads of extra storage as well.

I found a secondhand older version of Outhills' BS18A:
http://www.outhill.com/bench_seating.htm

I'll post a pic at the weekend.

Hightower · 19 April 2007, 13:04

Yes I do mean U shape, but the forward facing jockeys would only have one fixed backrest each, with a portion of seating extending rearward and butting up to the across jockey which in turn would have a reversable seat back going to whole length of the seat base.

Pete7 · 19 April 2007, 13:33

Hmm what you need is probably a blank seat base and some cheap seats to loose fit and try. Know anyone with a bench seat mould for sale? because I might just have a GRP seat base

Pete

Mouldy · 19 April 2007, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Yes I do mean U shape, but the forward facing jockeys would only have one fixed backrest each, with a portion of seating extending rearward and butting up to the across jockey which in turn would have a reversable seat back going to whole length of the seat base.

Sounds feasible - unless the transverse jockey has vertical sides (most are tapered to the seat?) you'll have a gap between the end of the lengthways jockeys and the transverse jockey. Could save your tackle on a hard landing though

Hightower · 19 April 2007, 17:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Hmm what you need is probably a blank seat base and some cheap seats to loose fit and try. Know anyone with a bench seat mould for sale? because I might just have a GRP seat base

Pete

If we haven't already got your neigbours talking Pete, we will after sitting on GRP seat bases and pretending to drive a RIB

Takes me back to my childhood and pretending to drive a car.

I am surprised that no one has ever tried this U seating on a RIB though.

Mouldy · 20 April 2007, 10:23

I was surprised at how comfortable and secure the bench seat feels. It is quite far back and is less prone to bouncing than the forward jockeys. When you do land a bit hard, the impact is spread over a larger area as well.

Hightower · 20 April 2007, 13:08

Well I recon it's mind made up then

I would have liked to have ridden on a transverse jockey bench seat to see what it was like though.

So if anyone knows of someone out there who has a side mounted jockey, please let me know.

RibinSpain · 20 April 2007, 13:20

Hi, slightly different question but I would like to make my single jockey seats adjustable, swing round sideways so I can fish, back to front for picnics. They are currently securely screwed in the floor but I have 2 rails, each jockey seat potentially fitting on each rail.

Sorry no pics as I just thought of it.

Would it be safe to put say 2 or 3 bolts in the rail & secure the jockey seat base, I may need a lining inside the seat base to spread the load. Rail seems strong enough & it´s a single jockey seat. If I take the spanner out with me I can then loosen the bolts & swivel the seats round - hopefully a 2 min job. Rail would probably run 1/3 across jockey seat base.

Appreciate anyone´s views, don´t want to go dunking fellow passengers in the sea!

Hightower · 03 May 2007, 19:39

I've put pencil to paper and come up with this:

Two 1 meter jockeys with a 1200mm wide transverse jockey behind.

The seat backs for the helm and navigator seat are set back a bit to enable the front seat guys a generous bit of room and to enable my two youngsters to sit together beside me.

The rear "bench" has a reversable back rest to enable me to sit facing backwards whilst fishing.

I've been told that having a configuration like this might affect resale.

Would welcome anyones views and Ideas on this type of design.

Hugh Jardon · 03 May 2007, 19:45

on my bench seat the back rest swivels forwards and backwards so you can sit on the bench seat facing rearwards. that would be supremely comfortable for fishing but the engine and a frame would be in the way i suspect

Hightower · 03 May 2007, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jardon

on my bench seat the back rest swivels forwards and backwards so you can sit on the bench seat facing rearwards. that would be supremely comfortable for fishing but the engine and a frame would be in the way i suspect

The engine won't be a problem for fishing, the A frame will. I have something planned for an A frame, should be functional and still look good but shouldn't go anywhere near the sponsons on the transom.