Air ride seat posts?

[Expidia]

Because my rig is so small it's more susceptible to coming down hard on the occasional wave that gets by me or I didn't slow down quick enough or the wave turns out bigger than it looked .

Sometimes they seem to appear from nowhere and can at times catch me by surprise.

So I'd like to swap out two air ride seat posts (shock asorber type) to smooth out the "overall" ride anyway.

I know Lund has some bigger boat models that come with optional or standard air ride posts, but they are probably $500+ each from Lund!

Has anyone had experience with any of them. Or can you recommend where to buy quality ones?

Seems all I can find on the web are the cheap'es for $100 which will probably breakdown quickly.

Thx

 

[Expidia]

Re: Air ride seat posts?

No reponses, oh well???

I just picked upped two air ride models up at Cabelas for $82 ea with free shipping made by Springfield.

I'll give them a try. The free shipping helps cause if they don't work out to my needs it won't hurt as much to have to return them!

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Air ride seat posts?

Let us know how they work out Expidia. As my back gets on in years I'm noticing a distinct loss of shock absorbsion properties and so I'm willing to entertain all manner of ideas -- and I like really like the sound of this one!

 

[Expidia]

Re: Air ride seat posts?

Let us know how they work out Expidia. As my back gets on in years I'm noticing a distinct loss of shock absorbsion properties and so I'm willing to entertain all manner of ideas -- and I like really like the sound of this one!

Ya, I gave them some thought because a few weeks ago I was drilling several holes in the frame to mount two new rollers. I was twisting and turning under the boat with this really big drill and the next day I had back pain and then numbness radiated down my leg over the next few weeks (sciatica). So I knew I pinched a nerve and had an xray and it showed some degenerative disk disease too.

Went to a physical therapist and he showed me some exercises that will potentially open the compressed space in the spine which is pinching the nerve.

And you are right about the loss of shock absorbion, because he also said the moisture which helps cushion the joints tends to dry out between your disks too as we get older.

He told me that most people over 50 probably have a least one degenerating disk already.

I bring all this up because he said the worst thing I can do for this injury is SUDDEN COMPRESSION of the spine. With my boat and some of the conditions I run into . . . I find plenty of sudden compression .

Another time, on a smaller rig my Wife was sitting next to me and she had her eyes closed and a big wave came out of no where and we slammed down on it hard (boat had those cheap folding seats that clamped over the bench seat). She injured her coccis bone and was mad at me for weeks (and rightly so because I was going too fast and was not paying close enough attention).

So these air ride seat posts might be just the ticket to smooth out the ride a little and my mistakes .

I think the captains side seat post is one piece though. I think to use the air ride post that is coming I'll have to get another seat base specifically for the Springfield air ride post.

I was going to call Lund tomorrow to see if the captains post is bolted through the floor or just screwed into it? I don't know how I'd have to pull up the floor to reach those bolts if they are bolted on?

It seems (at least on my Lund) it might be a requirement that the captains seat base is not the pop in or out style like my other 5 seat bases are!

One last note: he also said what I want to try and avoid is a pogo stick like action on my spine. I was thinking another issue with thses posts might be with the air ride seat posts is they give me a ride just like I should be avoiding which would be that constant pogo type ride.

I won't know until I give them a try, I'll let you know. One would think air ride seats should be standard for boating.

I bought them from Cabelas and they had about 9 user reviews and all but one gave these Springfield air rides high marks!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Air ride seat posts?

Redneck air ride post -- a valve spring on the post. Don't laugh, it works better than you might think. The downside is that you need to take them off after use. That rust gets everywhere. Most of the guys are glass beading them and painting them. Helps for a while.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Air ride seat posts?

Redneck air ride post -- a valve spring on the post. Don't laugh, it works better than you might think. The downside is that you need to take them off after use. That rust gets everywhere. Most of the guys are glass beading them and painting them. Helps for a while.

A big spring, huh . . I'm trying to smooth out the ride not turn it into "an ejection seat"

I can just picture hitting a big wave . . . looking down from my seat and seeing the boat about 200 feet in the distance . . . just before the seat and I hit the water .

 

[Expidia]

Re: Air ride seat posts?

I called Lund today to see about how I would swap out the one piece OEM drivers side seat post if it was bolted thru the floor.

Tech said the only reason it's a one piece unit is that the drivers side will always have a seat in place. The other 5 positions can be moved around.

So it's not a requirement for the drivers side seat post to be in a fixed position as it is now.

He also said the bases are screwed thru the wood floor and then into a layer of metal beneath the flooring.

So I ordered a new base from Springfield and it should swap easily by using the same screws.

I always thought it a strange design that the drivers post was unmovable. Now I can have someone fishing up on the bow seat platform and move my drivers seat up the the aft seat post position which is on a higher platform.

This will put a lot of distance between us while fishing.

I'll report back on how well the Springfield air ride posts smooth out the ride once I get them installed.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Air ride seat posts?

Review after 4 days use!

I think these are sweet! Definitely smooths out the bumps. For $87 each, well worth it.

A few notes. . . My Lund's OEM drivers side was a fixed mounted seat post and a little bigger in diameter than the passenger's side. So I had to also order another seat base (the Springfield base was about $26 and has a notch which accepts the Springfield notched post).

The Springfield air ride post also fits into my other Lund bases even though they are not notched.

Some reviews I've read read on Cabelas site a few said they were unhappy with the fit from post into base. At first it does seem a little looser than the OEM posts but when you are in the seat it's not an issue.

It's probably better a little looser as they are easier now to swap into different post positions for fishing or more deck room (I have 6 base positions on the Lund).

There is a warning label that says not to leave the rotate level at full swivel when underway since their would be an increased danger of being tossed over board. Most seat posts say this. especially if you are going over 5 mph.

I keep them somewhat snug so the seat can still be rotated with some effort.

If you totally locked them down you would eliminate the shock absorbing air ride motion which is why one would use them in the first place "for the air cushioned ride while underway".

Another nice feature is my boat came with 13 inch posts but there is a level that now allows the Springfield air ride posts to pop up to 20 inches. (Another model allows up to 29 inches). This feature in the extended position allows you lean against the seat and gives extra back support while you are standing up casting.

Another reviewer said his post stuck in place sometimes but I found that only happens when you crank the rotate level too tight.

A shot and a wipe every now and then with some Teflon spray on the exposed piston below the seat, should prevent any sticking anyway and further smooth out the bumps.

One last note I found . . . you need to set the height an inch or higher off the bottom range when you set the lift height lever. If you sit on it and hold the level until it bottoms out (13 inches height) you will eliminate the cushioned air ride effect. So keep the post at the 14 inch or higher extension for the maximum air cushioned ride.

So I'd give the Springfield air ride keyed seat posts Two Thumbs up . . . so far anyway!

In my opinion, all seat posts should be air ride, but Lund wanted $575 for one post