anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

[Chris1956]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

Getting tossed out of a boat is a lot more likely, if the seat is not secured to the boat, IMHO. Seems pretty obvious to me, anyway.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

My grandpa thought folding chairs would be a great idea for his boat until one day the driver started before he was ready. The bruise on the back of his head was scary big from where it bounced off the splashwell. That was the end of the folding chairs. My FIL uses those cheap plastic ones in his pontoon and on average he breaks about 2 per year from hitting wake or somebody tipping over. Someday somebody will get hurt.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

Would you ride in such a chair in the back of a pickup truck?

 

[pckeen]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

We've used seating like that in a runabout for some time - we don't go out on seriously rough water - no issues whatsoever, but you should have the seats facing forward, with the back against something solid. If we got into a serious accident, you'll be tossed out of a fixed seat just as easily tossed out of an unfixed seat.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

Would you ride in such a chair in the back of a pickup truck?

good point

 

[GHBAY]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

Not sure I would ride in the back of a pick up at all... is thatva reasonable comparator? I would think sitting in a chair in the bed of a pickup would olace your *** higher than the 'gunwale'. In a boat that would not be the case.

Do people feel sitting on the doghouse is appropriate?

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

Not sure I would ride in the back of a pick up at all... is thatva reasonable comparator? I would think sitting in a chair in the bed of a pickup would olace your *** higher than the 'gunwale'. In a boat that would not be the case.

Do people feel sitting on the doghouse is appropriate?

Not when underway at anything beyond idling speed... I have seen kids fly out of the bow seats when an unexpectedly big wave/wake is encountered. It doesn't happen often and we try to avoid it, but every once in awhile, the water gets rougher than you expect. With a seat that isn't fixed, it just seems like the possibility to get hurt becomes much greater. Just doesn't seem like a good idea.

 

[JoLin]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

Not when underway at anything beyond idling speed.With a seat that isn't fixed, it just seems like the possibility to get hurt becomes much greater. Just doesn't seem like a good idea.

I have a couple of those. They are nice chairs- heavy and pretty stable, but in a small boat they WILL slide around or tip over when underway. I'd use them ONLY if they were somehow firmly bracketed to the deck.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

I get that people can control the conditions they go out in. If it's too wavy, don't go and the chairs may be fine. But what is too wavy today will change, it's human nature to say, "oh, it was fine last time...". But consider a quick stop even on flat water and what will happen. Fixed seating gives you something to hang onto that wont also move.

 

[GHBAY]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

At this point im just playing devils advocate, cause I think some are taking things a little too literally and forgetting that one is not 'forced' to take people out in weather and force them into folding chairs.

Personally, no matter whose boat im in, regadless of their seating config, I will find a way to stand when the water gets big

In a sittuation where a storm rolls in, wind picks up? Im coming alongside a douche in a large cruiser throwing a 4ft wake in a small channel, couldnt one just sit on the floor during those situations?

 

[mrdancer]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

Beanbags are the way to go if you have the room for them.

I've seen somewhere where someone had gotten the cheap plastic lawn chairs (the NON-FOLDING ones), cut the back legs off of the chairs and bolted them onto the bench seat in his jon boat. Apparently made for much more stable and comfortable seating for not a lot of $$.

As for riding in the backs of pickups, we did that all the time when we were younger. Actually, we took turns standing behind the cab of the truck where you got an awesome view of the road. All it takes is for everyone to exercise common sense. However, common sense isn't all that common anymore, so they've outlawed the practice in most areas. As with most laws, a few bad apples spoil it for everyone.

 

[Maclin]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

... couldnt one just sit on the floor during those situations?

I'm thinking that is EXACTLY where one would end up whether or not they made the move themselves :shocked:

 

[H20Rat]

Re: anyone use folding chairs for seating in runabout?

I've used those same chairs on pontoons before. Worked fine, but they don't last very long. Even relatively gentle waves do a number, it looses up the rivets and the chair falls apart.

Pontoon are one thing, I'd never want to use them in a boat.