Looking for Advice on Seat Options for 2014 and Older Hobies.

I've been looking to replace my existing seats in our 2014 Oasis. Specifically looking at the following options Surf to Summits GTS Expedition, Surf to Summit GTS Pro Molded Seat, Austin Kayak's Gone Fishing Seat, or the Skwoosh Big Catch. Was hoping that some of you have experience with these seats to get a good opinion. Have been digging around a great deal of forums. Even looked at trying a Jackson Elite Seat. However, due to geometry issues... that modification will be problematic to do on the Oasis as compared to a 2014 or earlier Outback. I am looking for something with great back support, good cushioning, and good accessibility to the rear storage. Also, some of these offerings either have or you can get tackle storage/management for the seats. I plan on doing more fishing, some cruising, and mostly looking to trade up from the older Hobie seat. Any advice is appreciated.

check out #6 post in this thread:
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=16893.0
Roger did some work to adapt the Vantage seat to his Oasis

I've also been wondering about this. The seat bottom on pre-2014 Hobie seats is like some kind of sick joke. It sucked when it was new, and it sucks even more now that it's "worn in".

I have a Surf to Summit seat from my other yak, and plan to try it out in my Outback. My only concern is whether seat will slide around when I pedal for hours on end...

I put Surf to Summit GTS Expedition seats in my 2011 Oasis and find them to be a huge improvement. I needed to add only two anchor points for each seat - it took me less than 15 minutes. The seats are rock solid - way better than the old seats with the cammed pegs. Everything about the Surf to Summit seat is better - the seat padding, back support, no sliding.

Due to some lower back issues, I installed the Austin Kayak Gone Fishin Seat in my 2012 Oasis a couple years ago.  Coupled with a gel seat pad, my back and legs were much happier.  A couple extra padeyes behind each seat was necessary - I also added the Hobie pegs to the seat itself to ensure a solid connection.

-Sam

I like what Roger did to his seat. I had seen that earlier. However I believe he used his Vantage seat from his i11S on his Oasis to trade out between the two. So a couple questions arise. How much would a Vantage seat cost as compared to the other models available? Also, the front and rear seat wells on the Oasis are slightly different in shape and available room for mods so it maybe a little more difficult to do in the front? But, I do like his ingenuity! Looks great.

Sherminator, Do you have the fishing pack on the back of your seat that S2S offers? If so was curious what you thought of that?

Due to some lower back issues, I installed the Austin Kayak Gone Fishin Seat in my 2012 Oasis a couple years ago.  Coupled with a gel seat pad, my back and legs were much happier.  A couple extra padeyes behind each seat was necessary - I also added the Hobie pegs to the seat itself to ensure a solid connection.

-Sam

Can you snap a pic or explain how you added the Hobie pegs to your STS seat?

Sounds like Sherminator skipped this extra step? Any slipping issues?

I like what Roger did to his seat. I had seen that earlier. However I believe he used his Vantage seat from his i11S on his Oasis to trade out between the two. So a couple questions arise. How much would a Vantage seat cost as compared to the other models available? Also, the front and rear seat wells on the Oasis are slightly different in shape and available room for mods so it maybe a little more difficult to do in the front? But, I do like his ingenuity! Looks great.

you are correct, the i11S seat (Vantage CTi) is slightly different from the other Vantage CT seats. 

+1 on the Surf 2 Summit GTS Exped seat.  I recently added to support my back. 

Awesome seat! 

+2 on the Surf 2 Summit GTS Exped seat.

Have on in my Addy and it's an ass and back-saver.

Due to some lower back issues, I installed the Austin Kayak Gone Fishin Seat in my 2012 Oasis a couple years ago.  Coupled with a gel seat pad, my back and legs were much happier.  A couple extra padeyes behind each seat was necessary - I also added the Hobie pegs to the seat itself to ensure a solid connection.

-Sam

Can you snap a pic or explain how you added the Hobie pegs to your STS seat?

Sounds like Sherminator skipped this extra step? Any slipping issues?

I don't have any photos of the addition - basically just punched a couple holes in the webbing that connects the Gone Fishin seat base with the back rest.  The instruction sheet for installing pegs can be found here:

https://static.hobiecat.com/digital_assets/81276001-twist-lock-seat-plug.pdf

No slipping at all.

-Sam

Ah. Looks simple enough. Did you melt the holes or anything to keep the material from unraveling?

For anyone with an 2014 or older Outback the Jackson Elite seat is a great option. Check out this video on this guy's nice clean install. Other videos can be found on YouTube as well on the topic.



I was going to try this with my Oasis, but the seat-well dimensions and geometry don't quite work out. Back to the drawing board on that idea. But I like the Surf to Summit or Gone Fishing Seat options.

Actually this video is the one that shows a slightly better instal option on the Elite Seat. Had a copy/paste error.