Seat Pod vs Bench

smokie · 03 October 2003, 16:42

I presently have a 14ft Zodiac with tiller motor and am thinking of getting a 5m rib.

My questions are in regard to seating:

1. Is the 1 person seat pod comfortable enough for a multi-day cruise compared to a bench seat?

2. With a 1 person pod, can you stand at the console and lean on the back rest similar to a bolster?

Red Fox · 03 October 2003, 19:54

If you only fit a one seat pod, where is anyone else going to sit? I have a double seat pod and it allows more room to walk around and it is easier to get past when moving from bow to stern, a side by side seat would need to be climbed over. As for leaning back whils standing, I don't see why not as long as the back was high enough, but then again, why have a seat if you want to stand and lean?

gingercoastie · 03 October 2003, 20:02

I haven't tried any multi day cruises yet, but I can tell you thatm pod seats let me sit or stand and while standing I can use the back rest to lean on.

Quote:

why have a seat if you want to stand and lean?

why not have both?

Keith Hart · 03 October 2003, 21:09

Jockey type seats are the way to go if you want to go out in anything but flat calm weather.

Keith Hart

Dirk Diggler · 03 October 2003, 21:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Keith Hart
Jockey type seats are the way to go if you want to go out in anything but flat calm weather.

Keith Hart

Why?

thewavehumper · 03 October 2003, 21:36

I can answer that for you Dirk, cos the jockey seats let you take some of the strain of the landing in your knees as opposed to your spine!

See you tomorrow!

wavelength · 03 October 2003, 22:06

The only place for a bench is in the back garden so that you can sit and watch someone mow the lawn for you. Bloody awful things in a rib , particularly when spread across the tail end making it stern heavy and a nightmare in a head sea.

Keith Hart · 04 October 2003, 10:12

Why Dirk? Safety, comfort, security.
In any RIB with bench and jockey seats, when the going gets rough everyone wants the jockey seats.

Keith (leg over) Hart

Mike C · 04 October 2003, 10:14

I have a wonderful bench seaty thing at the front of my boat forward of the console. It's great for pootling down a river, or even super in wind conditions up to Force 2, but if you're using it on the sea in normal winds its a pod everytime. You can still sit on a pod if you want, quite comfotable, but I spend most of my time stood up and, yes, leaning against the backrest. Ride it like a horse and take the bumps with your knees....

Though I have to say, sitting on my cushioned engine box at the stern works even in moderate seas as the diesel seems more glued to the water at the back than my last boat.

But in your 14 foot boat, just pods will be best! Benches will hurt!

Mike C

Arek Pawelek · 06 October 2003, 11:39

I used boats with bench (zodiac pro 4,7 as I remember, sportis 4,5 nad some more other) and with jockey seat (avon, zodiac, bombard, sportis nad many more). It was possible to stay aboard when going even in force 9 and sitting on a bench but it was very difficult (one time, in much better conditions I shot overboard from a bench!). The bench didn't survived the 3 days ride, when I and My frien went to sea for Christmas a few years ago;( And my backside was hurting for next few days! My friend had to work standing for next week, what is not very easy, as he is a solicitor

As for jockey seat - the only possibility, if not going in calm weather. Makes ribbing more comfortable & safe (I know one person who had bad spine injury when falling from bench seat, when going on a rib with speed close to 40 kn) and makes less damage for people and for boat

Keith Hart · 06 October 2003, 12:16

Jockey v bench...take a look at what all the serious offshore ribs use.....

Keith (lester piggot) hart

MeMe · 06 October 2003, 12:16

Ask yourself the question, what are you going to use your rib for ?
You can see shots of my rib all over the forum which no doubt raise comment that she's a big leisure cruiser. She is, however, I've been out there with the best of them in the worst of it and find the bench seat fantastic. Why ? Well, contary to some opinions one can sit and helm in any conditions, however, I do appreciate that some bench seat setups are perhaps not configured as well as mine. Next, you can also helm standing up and as you'll see from my RIB she has a very handy grab rail. Further even in the rough stuff with a well padded seat and backrest there is no jarring.
The best advantage of the bench is when one is just cruising with the weather we (I) ideally like to cruise in. Sunshine, slight swell, shorts, friends and a picnic. When you pull up in the bay there's nothing better than sitting on the bench with your feet up whilst others straddle their jockeys with no where to lean back to catch the rays.

Again, ask yourself the question, what do you want from your rib ?