Where to sit on a 280....

[fins1up]

Let me start off by saying the 280DA is a great boat. This isn't a dig in any way against the 280, but.... has anyone come up with any ideas on how to improve the seating for the co-pilot? The flip up bolster captain's chair is fine and is workable in most any situation. The seating for the co-pilot, 1st mate or what ever you want to call a second person on board seems to be a little lacking. I especially notice it when my wife is driving and I'm sitting where she usually does. If you sit on the seat, you're too low to see directly in front of the boat. I usually sit on the back of the seat. It works, but I'm wondering if anyone has come up with other ideas. Some kind of "booster" seat or ??? If you did add a booster, how do you hold on when things get choppy? The current seating works well when entertaining with several on board. It just seems to be lacking when only two are along for the ride. I know one solution is we can buy a bigger boat with a different layout, but our dock slip is 30' and we really like the 280. Any ideas or comments?? It's one of those little things I would like to see if anyone else feels the same way.

 

[Mfortune]

We'll just sit on the arch between the port seating with the front bench becoming the foot rest...kinda works, but not for the long hauls.

 

[Turtlesboat]

I sit on the walkthrough door and hang on to the windshield supports. Best seat in the house IMO.

 

[boughtabouy]

With the 290 you can seat two at the helm. However, the rest of the cockpit layout sucks. Lots of room, but not very good seating...

 

[dpvandy01]

My wife often stands in the middle by the step down to the cabin if the river is messy if not she is always comfortable in the port-side lounger but,,, I ALWAYS DRIVE!!

 

[chelepop]

IMHO, it's a man thing... let go and let god ! lol... Use a booster w/velcro, but CG reg's have laws about grab bars within reach for choppy water sitters. I wouldnt use the w/s braces as support though, since they can give easily. I think BigBoys' /Shoney's / Denny's are calling for yardsales on boosters!!! Good luck and lets us know what you find out ))

 

[Hampton]

That was one of our major concerns when shopping for a 340 versus the 320. The 320 has a nice lounger, but you can't see out the front from there. That was one of our primary driving forces for the 340. 3 Captain's chairs all lined up across the front. We like that. I know that doesn't help you except to say that I know where you're coming from.

 

[fins1up]

That was one of our major concerns when shopping for a 340 versus the 320. The 320 has a nice lounger, but you can't see out the front from there. That was one of our primary driving forces for the 340. 3 Captain's chairs all lined up across the front. We like that. I know that doesn't help you except to say that I know where you're coming from.

It's nice to know we aren't the only ones with thoughts of a different layout. Maybe it's just good marketing by Searay. After all, they are in the business of selling boats. You like a certain boat, but look at the one just a little bigger. More seats, better access to the engines, different layout of the accessories and toys..... think our next house might need a bit longer slip. Say around 34'.

 

[rhodyboater]

fins, i couldn't agree with you more! at least the l-shape passenger seat does allow for forward looking if you sit in the corner (a lot of other cruisers have those stupid rear facing lounger seating...worthless.
but, as you stated, you're too low to see anything and be of any value as a lookout.
i currently have no solutions, but one i'm thinking of is when standing next to the helm, i'm thinking of installing a small grab bar handle on the underside of the arch, so at least if you stand you have a place to hold on to.
other than that, i guess it's sitting on the l-shaped seat and trusting in the person at the helm (gulp).
although i just edited and thought using a big fat fender with a nice fender sock on it to sit on might be comfortable and potentially useful.

 

[RiverRat]

I ALWAYS DRIVE!!

I do too... The wife just fixes her cocktail and her and the dog sit in the rear fold down seat with her feet up on the rear facing lounger enjoying the sunshine.

She has complete faith in her captain! Misplaced...possibly, but complete faith!!!:grin:

 

[skibum]

I let the admiral drive. She thinks I am just being nice. In reality, I just want to make sure she can get the boat back to the dock if something stupid happens and I can't drive.

Don't tell her.