Hi, I just bought a 2009 175 Sport. Very happy with it. The Drivers seat doesnt have a flip up bolster. I realise it adjusts upwards slightly but I was just wondering what people were doing to get their seated position higher so they could see over the windscreen. Its just a prefered driving position for me. Thanks
Captains seat - no flip up bolster - seated position height options?
- Thread starter enners
- Start date
MonacoMike
Well-Known Member
- Sep 15, 2009
- 14,721
- Boat Info
- 2000 Cruisers 3870
8.2 Mercs
- Engines
- 85 Sea Ray Monaco 197
260hp Alpha 1
The age old option is to sit on the throwable cushions, you could replace or rebuild the seat with a bolster, or have a custom cushion made to fit the seat. The latter is what I'm doing. MM
joenomad
New Member
I didn't like the stock seats on my 2006 185 sport not being flip up. We bought it used and the passenger seat back was also wobbly due to people leaning on it to get in and out. I went with the Attwood Avenir Sport seats with flip up bolsters. Did a pick up at store with the Biggest Box store and got a pretty decent price. The bolts were a little tricky getting out the old seat and most weren't long enough to connect the new seat to the track. I went to the hardware store and picked up longer bolts. The color is close enough for my tastes and I really like the new view.
Tonka Boater
Well-Known Member
I have a similar problem with my 280 and would like to hear some suggestions. I have a flip up bolster but I also like to sit once in awhile. Leaning against the bolster is hard on the feet after awhile and I don't like the limited visibility when I'm sitting. I often sit on the bolster when it's flipped up so I can see and be off my feet but I don't want it to get out of shape by doing this too often. One of my winter projects is to figure out a solution.
The swivel buckets in the 175 are the same as the 185/195. All you have to do is find the color combo and it will just slip onto the pedestal.
The only problem with this, is the dealer wants wwwwaaaaayyyyyy too much $$$. Last time I looked it was $600 for one seat with the bolster.
Even though the stock set up gives good visibilty, I agree it's nice to sit above the window once in while.
I'm trying to figure out some kind of booster seat that can upholstered that will give the same result.
The only problem with this, is the dealer wants wwwwaaaaayyyyyy too much $$$. Last time I looked it was $600 for one seat with the bolster.
Even though the stock set up gives good visibilty, I agree it's nice to sit above the window once in while.
I'm trying to figure out some kind of booster seat that can upholstered that will give the same result.
Bucit
New Member
- Mar 12, 2010
- 3,144
- Boat Info
- 2005 280 Sundancer
2004 SPD-104 Achilles w/ 8hp Yamaha
- Engines
- Twin 4.3 MPI's with Alpha drives.
I do the exact same. I lean against the bolster in the up position until my feet/legs get tired them I sit on top of the bolster so I can still see over the windshield. I never really noticed the bolster getting distorted from sitting on it like that?
- Oct 4, 2006
- 2,335
- Boat Info
- 2003 280DA and 1995 Sea Ray 175
- Engines
- Twin 4.3l and 3.0l, all w/ AlphaI GenII drives
In my 175, I have three throwable cushions I sit on. Figure that it helps me to see above the windshield, and I can throw to three people if they all fall overboard at the same time. :grin:
In my 280, I use the bolster 95% of the time. I've found sometimes that I begin to feel the plywood edge in the bolster after sitting on it for awhile as the cushion gives way. And I'm a pretty light guy. But I figure it if ever gets to be a real problem, I can always open it up and refill with new cushion material.
Tom
In my 280, I use the bolster 95% of the time. I've found sometimes that I begin to feel the plywood edge in the bolster after sitting on it for awhile as the cushion gives way. And I'm a pretty light guy. But I figure it if ever gets to be a real problem, I can always open it up and refill with new cushion material.
Tom
I believe (maybe someone can confirm) that sitting on a Type IV is actually against CG regs? Just mentioning it to be aware.
Take off the spider and build a spacer out of plywood (or starboard) or 2x's to get you to the right height. Re-fasten everything tight with the spacer between the spider and the seat and you'll now have a solid-feeling seat that is higher than the original.
Take off the spider and build a spacer out of plywood (or starboard) or 2x's to get you to the right height. Re-fasten everything tight with the spacer between the spider and the seat and you'll now have a solid-feeling seat that is higher than the original.
saopm
Active Member
Tonka - Not sure if you are aware, but your pedestal post for the seat should be adjustable in the up and down direction. There is a little black pin that you can pull outward as you pull up on the seat. It is easer to pull the seat off the post, adjust the height of the post, then put the seat back on. Its not going to get you above the windshield but it will give you a few extra inches.
Last edited:
CliffA
Well-Known Member
- Dec 29, 2009
- 4,712
- Boat Info
- 2001 Sea Ray 340DA
Name: 'Happy Place'
4.5kW West. Generator
Purchased Nov. 2014
Fresh Water Use
- Engines
- Twin Merc. 6.2L (MPI)
640 hp (Total)
Raw Water Cooled
V-Drive Transmissions
i can see OK through the windshield on my 215 when on plane but on really hot days i like to have my head above the windshield to get cooled by the wind so i have to stand.....my helm seat does not have a flip up bolster pad either....i have been thinking about trying one of the 'fishing' seats shown below to see if they would raise me high enough but have not got around to it yet....my helm seat is wide and flat so i could just place one of these seats on top of the helm seat...if your helm seat is contoured this may not be an otption for you...
MonacoMike
Well-Known Member
- Sep 15, 2009
- 14,721
- Boat Info
- 2000 Cruisers 3870
8.2 Mercs
- Engines
- 85 Sea Ray Monaco 197
260hp Alpha 1
SHHHHHHH
I do not want mine raised all the time, particularly when not operating the boat.
Interesting option. I'll check them out. MM
Tonka Boater
Well-Known Member
Mine isn't distorted yet but my slip neighbor has a 240DA and his bolster has a permanent indentation where he leans against it. I try to switch my position to keep it from getting that way.
Same here....I only weigh 167lbs and it digs into my rear too.
I used to keep my pedestal at the highest but it wobbled too much so I have it a notch lower. I hear what you're saying though...the only thing that I would change on the 280 is the helm seating.
Sorry for the hijack....
joenomad
New Member
The pedestal post on the 175/185 are not height adjustable. They do slide back and forth as well as swivel. If you don't want the expense of new seats, adding wood spacer and new bolts sounded like a smart option.
Dave 205
New Member
- Mar 15, 2011
- 449
- Boat Info
- 2006 205 Sport, Shorelander Trailer. Towed by 2012 Ford F-150 Supercrew 5.0 with factory tow package
- Engines
- Mercruiser 5.0 220 HP Carb w/ Alpha 1 Drive
My boat probably has the same seats as yours. I'm tall at 6'1" and grew up sitting on top of the seat back of our old Chrysler Tri-Hull as the top of the windshield was exactly at my eye-line - I couldn't see. So, the only thing I was bummed about the Sport line boats was the lack of the bolster. And the seat won't take sitting on the back, and is too thin anyway - looks painful. For what it is worth, I simply tried out just using mine as is, and got used to it. With few exceptions, I'm comfortable driving in most conditions. My wife seems to need the bolster more, and has been sitting on the thowables, which I didn't know until now is like everything from the past - probably illegal.
I looked at the part list on the Sea Ray website for my boat, and it seems to show a bolster seat option, and the newer 205's in my dealer showroom have bolsters. But, like people have noted here, probably crazy expensive to buy new seats.
I may look into some of the other ideas here.
Last edited:
CliffA
Well-Known Member
- Dec 29, 2009
- 4,712
- Boat Info
- 2001 Sea Ray 340DA
Name: 'Happy Place'
4.5kW West. Generator
Purchased Nov. 2014
Fresh Water Use
- Engines
- Twin Merc. 6.2L (MPI)
640 hp (Total)
Raw Water Cooled
V-Drive Transmissions
that reminds me of our first boat which was a 1986 Chris Craft bow rider.....great little boat (18.5')...i am also 6'1" tall...the seats in some of the older boats were placed low to the deck, i guess maybe for safety....my line of sight was also just about at the top of the windshield, so like you i sat on top of the 'back-to-back' seats....the only problem was even with my longish arms i still had to reach down for the steering wheel and throttle while sitting on top of the seats which was not a very comfortable position for long cruises....when i gave the boat to my brother-in-law the top of the seat was pretty worn and faded from sitting up there...
endless seas
Well-Known Member
Just let the wife drive for a while and crack open a cold one!
Woody
Well-Known Member
It's ok to sit on them. See bottom of page http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg5214/ringlb.asp
A THROWABLE DEVICE (TYPE IV PFD)
Intended Uses
- Designed to be grasped and held by the user until rescued.
- Provides enough buoyancy for users to hold their heads out of the water.
- For use on small boats in calm, inland water with heavy boat traffic where help is always nearby.
- For use on larger boats as an extra device to aid persons who have fallen overboard. May be used with a lanyard, "man-overboard" pole, locator light, or smoke signal.
- Can be thrown to someone within 40 feet (12 meters).
- Can be used as a seat cushion, or some types can be placed in a bracket mounted above deck, where they are immediately available.
- Good back-up buoyancy for use with a wearable PFD.
- Not for an unconscious or exhausted person.
- Not for non-swimmers or children.
- Not for rough water survival.
Thanks, Woody. But (I should of been more clear, originally) I wonder if it's OK to sit on it while underway? However, there's nothing in there (at least that section) that says it is NOT ok, either. This all stems back many years when I was told by an officer (just in conversation, mind you!) that it is illegal to sit in a boat seat (while underway) in a way it wasn't originally designed to be used. Specifically, he mentioned sitting on the top of a back-to-back seat. I guess from the way the conversation went, I also came to think that using to something to prop yourself up higher was also a no-no.
But, if the only thing we have to go by is that sectionif the regs, then it would appear that it is OK.
But, if the only thing we have to go by is that sectionif the regs, then it would appear that it is OK.
Woody
Well-Known Member
Actually Dennis I have heard of somewhat similar things. My niece tows her SR185 around to different locations in southern WI. She told me of being stopped once because people were sitting on seat backs or the edge of the boat will moving in a channel between larger bodies of water. She found out there was a local ordinance that covered that kind of activity. We discussed it and agreed that in that location, high traffic, wakes, typically smaller boats with little freeboard, it probably wasn't a bad idea from a safety standpoint. I doubt we would find anything of that nature in the coast gaurd regs, we're kind of in the bow riding territory here.
That's a good point, Woody. It may be more of a local thing. I know we're getting a little off topic, but there was mention, above, of using a small seat cushion as an add-on. I emailed the CG and asked this question. I'd like to know for sure, one way or the other.
