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September 28, 2007

Pod Seats: Comfortable, Functional, Safe

Looking at the video I posted the other day of the woman and her passenger getting thrown from the boat, I am reminded just how much I like the RIBCRAFT pod seats.

First, a pod seat is RIBCRAFT's version of a jockey seat. At first glance most people's reaction is that they don't look comfortable. Some people at boat shows have made such bizarre comments as it looks like an old fashion lunch box or even a mailbox. To an extent I would agree with that initial impression, however, they are anything but uncomfortable and more important they do what their meant to do – keep you in the boat.

A RIB is the ultimate performance boat and though they are designed to go through anything safely, we passengers aren't without help. I like to equate a pod seat to a bucket seat in a high end sports car. You don't see large bench seats in a Porsche 911 or an Aston Martin – that would be ridiculous. If you did, you wouldn’t make it through your first turn on a country road without being instantly flung against the passenger door. Well, the same holds true with a RIB. Though a leaning post is more "mainstream" and accepted in the boating world, a pod seat offers the same support as the contoured seats of a sports car.

Pod seats provide optimal support and comfort in heavy seas and at high speeds. With a high backrest and high density conforming rounded cushion seat, the pod seat anchors the individual into the seat and allows the operator to use their legs to absorb the wave impacts while providing full support to the lower and upper back. Additionally, with a high backrest, the pod seat allows the individual to stand, using the backrest just like a leaning post except with a pod seat they have the ability to use the inside of their legs to brace against the pod base which is conveniently located between the knees through tight turns. The height and width of the pod seat is designed to comfortably fit between your legs, which takes advantage of the fact that we all stand with our legs a shoulders width apart on a boat for balance. This allows the individual to use their knees to steady or brace themselves against the pod seat cushion to provide additional support?

pods sitting.JPG

pod stand.JPG

Had the driver of the speed boat been sitting in a pod seat, I'm sure she would have stood a better chance of staying with the boat. For those of you who have pod seats (or don't) what do you think?

September 24, 2007

Incredible Video - Should Have Worn the Kill Switch!

Take a look at this incredible and somewhat frightening video. The commentator says the two should have buckled up, but more importantly the driver should have been wearing his kill switch. I'm scared to know what happened to the people after falling out of the boat.

Though this accident didn't happen on a RIB, it could happen on one if you take a tight turn at high speeds. Like this speed boat, a RIB is designed for high speed maneuvers but us people aren't. That's why you should always wear a kill switch while boating.


 


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