Rib users views on Rib seats and consoles?

Ribshop · 12 March 2010, 19:11

After countless requests for consoles and seat pods Rib Shop are now getting close to the launch of our first stage of seating for Ribs and open boats. Our first range will consist of single and a double jockey seat, a double jockey console and a double bench seat.

What we would really like to hear from you guys is the good, bad and the ugly of the seating and consoles you are currently using.
Are your seat pods to high, to wide or to hard?
Is your steering wheel in the right position?
Do you prefer left or right hand throttle?
Any of you thoughts on how to make your dream seats and consoles would be really useful.

chewy · 12 March 2010, 19:25

Dry storage and lots of it.

ashbypower · 12 March 2010, 19:27

Left hand throttle, good storage, lift up hinged seats with catches, good space on console for instrumentation, Single console and seat...

PeterR · 12 March 2010, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Dry storage and lots of it.

I agree so box type i prefer instead of the external flang ;Console with atached jockey and the console wiht enough room for gauges and fishfinder also sat nav is suitable for up to 5.5 rib

jambo · 12 March 2010, 20:06

What i would like would be really waterproof pods with hinged seats because you cannot get enough of dry storage on a rib.
J

Ribshop · 12 March 2010, 20:10

Thats great, so dry is storage is important, it involves a bit more work to produce a jockey seat with a sealed base but it sounds like it is the way forward. What about heights and comfort?

Hightower · 12 March 2010, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribshop

Thats great, so dry is storage is important, it involves a bit more work to produce a jockey seat with a sealed base but it sounds like it is the way forward. What about heights and comfort?

you don't need a seat pod with a solid base to make things water proof during installation, just make sure it's glassed into the deck or Sikaflexed and screwed.

As a safety point, I would like to see a standard seat back with winged supports and rear grab handles either side (on the wings) as opposed to the Rib/chest crunching handles right in the middle. Makes getting into and out of the seat easier too.

Oh and an easily movable back rest that supports the helmsman/woman when standing up and sitting down.

You might like to give some thought to the younger members here too. Jockeys are really good at supporting an adult, but for a child they are too high and need some thought to a reliable way of supporting their feet.

chewy · 12 March 2010, 20:27

The XS/BMC console I have is a nice setup apart from the front been curved.

Sealed base shouldn't be too hard, do the consoles have a flange on?

Ribshop · 12 March 2010, 20:35

Hightower, the idea is for people to self fit so I can see the point of the sealed base. What ideas would you have to help the little ones?

Chewy, if they have a sealed base this will act as the fitting flange so will all be internal facing.

willk · 12 March 2010, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

You might like to give some thought to the younger members here too. Jockeys are really good at supporting an adult, but for a child they are too high and need some thought to a reliable way of supporting their feet.

Moulded tapered recess with footplate for 'lil legs on back jockeys or a nice cheap pair of m-bike ally flip down foot rests.

Nasher · 12 March 2010, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribshop

What ideas would you have to help the little ones?

Having been there with my kids a few years ago, I know how bad it can be for them on a jockey seat when they can't reach the deck. I made up some adjustable stirrups in the end which made a huge difference.

Recessed molded footrests would be the way I'd go now, so they don't stick out and catch the legs of the big people.

Nasher.

PeterM · 12 March 2010, 21:15

A good bench seat that becomes a leaning post type set up - reversible to make it more 'sociable' when at rest would be fantastic. I love the set up on my big boat for this - if only it was reversible....... and the storage under neath is dry and handy.

The bench seat at the back of my boat is one of the comfiestseats I've sat in & being at the back doesnt move around much even when rough.

I think Hightowers set up is 1st class.......

chewy · 12 March 2010, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribshop

Chewy, if they have a sealed base this will act as the fitting flange so will all be internal facing.

A normal external flange should seal ok, its the access to the locker thats the problem. Depending how wide the RIB is a side hatch isn't always the best, a hinged seat is harder to seal.

Ian M · 12 March 2010, 22:09

Consoles that are stylish but not too wide to allow access to the forad deck. Enough room inside for a twin battery set up, oil tanks etc and storage room for gear. Styled to get your knees under when sitting behind it, and wide enough to provide protection at speed. Solid construction. Provision for a windscreen for those that want it, but does not look the pits if no screen fitted. S/S surround essential with screen. Plenty of access for instrument installation, but console access ie hatches etc. above tube height so that when stuffed there is less chance of water ingress. Consider internal fittings for batteries etc? Most difficult for me was trying to arrange for separation between batteries, switching etc and fuel lines - considered it impossible in my layout, but could be a valuable feature!
Jockey seats: sealed at base with hinge and closure catch to seat base. Consider bare seat base (in fibre glass would be a nice feature!) without upholstery to give customer chance for selecting their preferred style etc. Keep jockey pods as narrow as practical to minimise trampled feet when used in a side by side arrangement. Hightowers suggestion for backrests good; his wingbacks and handles work well.
Provide guidance on seat/console spatial separation for differing height/arm length for self builds.
Provide a range of S/S backrest designs to cater for varying tastes/heights. Design pods for both side and rear mounting of backrests. Offer range of gelcoat colours.
Provide range of mouldings for fuel fillers, fire extinguishers etc.
All above my opinions only of course.

biffer · 12 March 2010, 22:30

read most of the posts and i'm thinking, where have you guys been, what you are suggesting happened four or five years ago!!!!!!

Downhilldai · 12 March 2010, 23:19

It never fails to surprise me how many RIBs have consoles without a small storage 'glove box' type locker for your wallet, car keys, tide tables, H/H VHF, etc. It needn't be very big, but an extremely useful feature.

Hightower · 13 March 2010, 09:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

It never fails to surprise me how many RIBs have consoles without a small storage 'glove box' type locker for your wallet, car keys, tide tables, H/H VHF, etc. It needn't be very big, but an extremely useful feature.

Yes Brad! Very handy

Hightower · 13 March 2010, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribshop

Hightower, the idea is for people to self fit so I can see the point of the sealed base. What ideas would you have to help the little ones?

Chewy, if they have a sealed base this will act as the fitting flange so will all be internal facing.

The only trouble with self fit is that people will tend to Sikaflex and screw the thing down. I would be wanting to give the widest footprint I could, to give stability to the pod and thus I would be looking for an external flange for my fit. Again if it was to be glassed in then an external flange would be easy to work with. As for bottoms, well thats the deck in many cases

As for children then you could always make the pods slightly shorter and supply different height seat bases that are interchangeable.

On another note and regarding a bench seat. I have been on many a low bench seat and is terribly uncomfortable during a lumpy passage if not darn well dangerous. The solution to this is to build a higher bench in line with the height of the jockeys. Passengers will feel much safer and much more comfortable with this.

Hightower · 13 March 2010, 10:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Moulded tapered recess with footplate for 'lil legs on back jockeys or a nice cheap pair of m-bike ally flip down foot rests.

I know what you're saying, but you always seem to walk into the dam things when in use and if your childs legs came off during a jump then sratched legs spring to mind. What you want is something soft like Nashers Stirrups

Tim M · 13 March 2010, 11:10

I prefer jockey seats that aren't sealed; in the past I've drilled drain holes in the bases to allow water to escape. No matter how hard you try and keep a jockey seat sealed water will somehow get in there, and its very difficult to get out when it does!

On the seat front, not too wide - I like to be able to stand without my feet miles apart.

Centre mounted throttle is my preference. I've seen consoles with mouldings that allow a side-mounted throttle box to be mounted in the centre of a console. Looks very tidy. It wouldn't be too hard to make a small mould that be fixed into a hole in the centre of a console to allow you to do that.