Boatworks

Sketchbook: don’t break your back

A

The other day I saw an elderly yachtsman looking extremely comfortable in a small dinghy because he had rigged it up with a couple of seats with back supports. They looked like simple plastic canteen chairs fixed to the normal thwarts. But of course, anglers have been using comfortable seating in small boats for years, as they often spend a long time in one place.

B

Modern plastic kayak seats are relatively cheap, padded and self-supporting once their straps are hooked on to something solid.

C

If sailing a long way, normal cockpit cushions are essential to protect your bottom. This type of pad your can also be thrown to a, MOB, if it s made of buoyant foam.

D

Modern cockpit layouts can have back cushions that hook over part of the coaming to let you sit out more.

E

Weatherproof, outdoor bean bags are finding their way onto boats to form extremely large and comfortable backrests.

F

Many motorsailers have flip-over seats in the wheelhouse that can either hold the helmsman in place or form a comfortable settee armrest when in harbour.

G

Flip-over backrests are also handy aboard smaller boats, as they are a good use of space. This one is mounted on a handy storage locker.

H

This big boat had twin steering positions with a large double seat at each helm. These could be converted by moving the backrests around, so the occupants could also socialize with people swimming off the stern, fish off the back or even keep a lookout astern at sea!