tractor seat base = suspension = happier back!

Blue_Runner

Blue_Runner

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After blowing out my back on the memorial day trip I decided something has to change. So I ended up buying a tractor seat for $99 at my local tractor supply. I had to drill a couple extra holes in my existing seat base to mount my own captain chair to the tractor seat base (did not use the tractor seat part), but it was pretty straight forward. Come to find out the factory seat base on my 94 V21 was through bolted, so ended up ordering a plano style tackle locker to install in the dead space below the captain seat - should have done that long ago anyway. Cutting out for the tackle locker allowed me access to the through bolts in order to remove the old base. Lake tested the tractor seat suspension this weekend. Wow. Now it is just a matter of how long it holds up. The seat does sit up a couple inches higher but that hasn't proved to be a deal breaker for me yet. I was worried about that.

At $99 I figure even if I had to replace it every year it will be cheaper than back surgery....lol.
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I think combination of hydraulic and spring. You can look it up online probably. It came from Tractor Supply, brand is Concentric and the box says Universal Tractor seat with adjustable suspension.

By having the combination of hydro and spring you don't bounce on it....when it compresses it comes up more slowly.
 
For heavy saltwater use it probably wouldn't hold up for many years but I trailer and only hit the salt a dozen or so times per year. The rest of the time I'm on the lake, so I think it will last a few seasons.

There's a couple of bolts I need to replace with stainless that controls the tilt.

The suspension is adjustable for weight between 110 lbs and 265 lbs by turning the knob on top. I got the idea from a couple other people online who went this route instead of shucking out 700 bucks for a commercial model glyde ryde system.

Funny story, I was using my iphone as a flashlight tightening down the through bolts and accidentally dropped my phone through a 2 inch gap into the dead space of the hull that lies between the captain seat and passenger seat! She was waaaaay down in there and none of our hands would come close to fitting in the gap, let alone reaching it if we could. So I found a stiff metal rod, stuck some really sticky duct tape on there and got it out. It was a tense few moments. hahaha
 
Blue_Runner said:
Funny story, I was using my iphone as a flashlight tightening down the through bolts and accidentally dropped my phone through a 2 inch gap into the dead space of the hull that lies between the captain seat and passenger seat! She was waaaaay down in there and none of our hands would come close to fitting in the gap, let alone reaching it if we could. So I found a stiff metal rod, stuck some really sticky duct tape on there and got it out. It was a tense few moments. hahaha
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Yet another of the 1,000,000,000,001 uses for duct tape. :love:
 
ROLMAO Bradford, I pondered the thought of that phone becoming a permanent part of the boat! The phone light was still on but was facing down. There was a faint glow in there.

As far as painting it, while it would look a whole lot better I don't think it would serve much of a purpose. The internal parts, spring, adjustment, etc. are probably what's going to go first. I will just clean really good and hit it with some lube here and there. If I end up really liking it I'll replace it as necessary as long as it lasts a few seasons. Don't really want to spend $100 per year on it.

Macojoe, thanks - do you mean the tractor base or the duct tape :haha:
 
The travel is only 3 - 4 inches, but to your point, the seat sits a good bit higher than it did --- pro = I can see over the windshield, con = steering wheel a little too low and something needed for feet). I have an insulated fish bag I put there so my feet can touch, otherwise it is my toes. I may get a foot rest.

Tested at the beach over the 4th. Still VERY happy with it. My wife said she could see it moving up and down on about every wave even the smaller ones. Over the course of a solid 8 - 10 hour day fishing and running hard I think it is going to make a huge difference.

Washed it really good at the car wash. I'll spray it with some CRC 656 when I get home.
 
I'm really liking that. I hate my current seat. Despite the looks, do you think that the tractor seat that came with it would work decent on the boat?

It looks like it comes both armless seats and with arms on the mfg's website but the one with arms is all I can find for sale..
 
Great. This is looking really good. Thanks for the Arima thread. I just ordered a blue one from L&M and will try and install it on my adjustable swivel pedestal.

Updates to come and thanks !
 
Ok the seat came and I installed it. Will try it on the water tomorrow. So far looks good. I bent the arms in a bit and its actually more compact than my old one and swivels no problem.

The pedestal is at its max height in the pics and my line of vision above the windshield falls half way between the bow and the top of the bow railing - which is plenty. The two footrests feel a little too low right now so I will try lowering the seat some tomorrow.

I haven't even tried it yet but I already love it. Great find - thanks Blue_Runner!













 
Hey it looks really good, nice job! Let us know how it goes. I haven't had a good ocean test yet. It will probably be a few weeks. I broke one of my vhf antennas (brand new) backing under the lean-to and also my fuel vent got smashed agains the dock.- so I've got some repairs to do first.
 
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