anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

[GHBAY]

thinking of grabbing a couple of these for extra seating and leaving minimal fixed seating in the boat i am redoing. was hoping for opinions on how stable these are while underway.

also- anyone who has them can you please describe how well they fold down and stow? dimensions when collapsed?

this example is the Wise offshore version sold here:

thanks

 

[GHBAY]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

No real way to anchor them without major modification and not exactly what I'd call comfy if you hit rough water.

thanks. those are my concerns. are you basing that on use, or just assumption as I am?

 

[dblcola]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

In my younger years we tried this and had poor results. It was dangerous.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

Those chairs are primarily intended for the decks of larger cruisers or sailboats for use when stationary... You could use them for the same purpose on a runabout if you had the space. Use underway on any sort of rough water would be a mistake.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

You could use folding chairs on a really large vessel, or possibly on a pontoon for a slow cruise on a calm day. Folding chairs on rough water just leads to cleaning up spilled beverages and replacing items that get trashed. In a run about. Install the proper seating

 

[Brian 26]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

My mother-in-law bought a new pontoon that did not have any furniture in the front (despite my advice not to) and we have been using those $30 fold up camping chairs you can buy anywhere for years. Of course it doesn't go over 20 mph or ever see rough water.

 

[southkogs]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

I have used them on a pontoon for years and I prefer it to all of the permanent-fixed lounges on most 'toons. I've used 'em once in the well deck of a larger cruiser and it wasn't bad, but it would be tough to keep steady in rough water. I can't imagine in a small to mid-size power boat the forces of motion wouldn't constantly knock you around.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

They are OK; my dad bought some for extra seating but we didn't end up using them much. That particular seat is absurdly expensive and very bulky when folded, yet they do last forever.

As others have mentioned, if you are in water with any waves, you want stability and that comes from a low center of gravity. That's why you see the high chairs on bass boats but not bay boats. So the low beach chair would probably do better, despite losing some view. But I would also say that particular chair, being heavy and wide, is quite stable and safe, unlike an aluminum lawn chair (that costs 10% of that one--yes they are about $150!)

One extra and removable seating option for the younger set is a bean bag chair or two.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

We had them on our 34' (13' beam) cruiser and were great - it had a cruising speed of 18 mph and plowed any chop on our river although we normally went hull speed. A runabout that bounces a bunch more not too sure that would be the best. If you do use them, as far back as possible.

How big is your boat and what is avail layout (pics please) - maybe build a custom bench seat at the stern?

 

[redneck joe]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

oh and they stow horribly. Might as well have them up. Got a marina around you? Walk it and talk to people that have them, and have them fold up for you so you can see. Or maybe if you have a West Marine store they may have in stock?

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

So the low beach chair would probably do better, despite losing some view.

Tried that in a skiff I rented at the shore, it did NOT survive the first wake crossing

 

[GHBAY]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

damn. I have been in similar chairs once or twice in relatively mild chop and found it ok, but have not spent any appreciable time in them. Glad I asked for additional opinions.

may have tio go back to the drawing board. I was trying to avoid jump seats next to the engine box, or cooler/bench seats along the sides. I am determined to stick with a single captains bucket plus a wide passenger seat, or at most passenger back to back, but know there will be times i need more butts in seats.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

they're not that bad, as you have experienced. My main problem with them is the cost. They aren't going to fall apart when it's rough, though, and no one is going to be ejected.
But on the days you don't need them leave them ashore b/c they take up a lot of room even folded.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

not sure what sort of runabout you are working one, my Carver is pretty deep. It had workable jump seats next to the engine but didn't want to use them so here's what I did.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

My friend had two of them in the cockpit of his 30' cruiser. We used them when fishing, but not when underway. One day while fishing the waves rocked us enough where those chairs, with our butts in them slid back and forth on the non-slip deck. On a small boat, I think the chair and occupant would go over the side, if you tried to use them when underway.

 

[gm280]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

I've read most of these comments and unless you are going to manufacture some unique way to fasten them down properly while under way, I say NO WAY! I can quite easily see somebody getting seriously injured so quickly knowing how boats travel in most any type waters... But again that is JMHO for what that's worth! :facepalm:

 

[GHBAY]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

i appreciate all the comments and opinions- thanks. I will say there appears to be a bit of hyperbole though. Getting tossed out of a boat would be no more likely if someone was sitting in an unmounted chair as it would a mounted one, or standing for that matter. Unless of course some of you folks wear some sort of seatbelt

my concerns would be if the chair collapses easily- which could happen if weight shifts at an odd angle due to a bit of bounce; if they do not collapse at all for stowing (answered, they stow poorly); and if they are generally comfortable.

I am less concerned with how safely a toddler will sit in it while i go WOT through 8ft rollers- that just isnt going to happen

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

Well, you still haven't told us the size of the boat. If you are using them in a 17-18 footer with significant horsepower, there are some concerns. Most people do not realize acceleration forces while sitting or even standing in a boat (because they are usually holding something while standing.) This applies even to partial throttle acceleration, not full throttle hole shots.

Unless you go easy on the throttle, those chairs will slide and quite possibly tip. At any rate, on a smaller boat It is not a good idea--not saying it can't be done, just living dangerously.

 

[GHBAY]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

this is an 18' deep v i/o with 4.3 200hp.

i hear what you are saying about sliding while applying throttle- good point. I would hope that rubber feet, non-skid deck, and not driving like a fool would limit that concern, but definitely something to consider

 

[gm280]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

this is an 18' deep v i/o with 4.3 200hp.

i hear what you are saying about sliding while applying throttle- good point. I would hope that rubber feet, non-skid deck, and not driving like a fool would limit that concern, but definitely something to consider

Sounds like you've already made your decision so further opinions are not needed now. The fact that many alluded to going over board is because a seat that isn't secured to the floor or some other place will absolutely move regardless of the type of rubber feet and/or non-skid flooring. I've ridden in a few different types of boats over the years and know very well how some folks come out of their secured seat in different situations. And factor in a chair that moves in any direction, going over board is a concern...at least to me... But only you can make those decisions. I mean it is your boat! :watermelon: