Replacement seat for old Tarpon 140?

I'm currently upgrading components on an older Tarpon 140 I picked up.

There is no bottom to the seat, just the bottom of the boat with a stiff and short seat back. The seat back isn't bad, but doesn't hit my back well. I'm 6'3" and just can't get comfortable with it.

I'm thinking of taking it out and throwing in a full kayak seat. I've noticed these look more like the Crazy Creek style chairs...they strap in from the sides and back.

Anyone had luck using these/ recommendations? Good support? Side straps ever get in the way?

Thanks,
John

INSAYN has a real nice seat, can't rememeber what the brand/model are at this moment, but when he chimes in i'm gonna find one. I'm sure it could be retrofitted for most yaks.

I have the same problem with the hobie seat, just doesn't hit my back right, i've been dealing with it for way too long.

I splurged on a Surf to Summit GTS Airwave.




And the Surf to Summit Hot Seat - Grande.  (Peel and stick)


The airwave cushion over the Hot Seat are a real butt saver.  I can easily stay in my kayak for 8 hours without getting a sore butt.  The factory Ocean Kayak seat would have me constantly shifting my weight within an hour.

The cool thing about this combo is that for going through the surf, I deflate the cushion which drops me about 1/2" to 3/4" lower and plants my caboose firmly to the Hot Seat (which is still providing padding).  But together they make a Lazyboy feel like a stool in 8th grade science class. 

The Airwave back is high and very supportive, and allows for independant lumbar adjustment.

There are many other options at Surf to Summit for seats and cushions.
http://www.surftosummit.com/kayak-seats-gts-series-kayak-seats-c-283_269.html
http://www.surftosummit.com/kayak-seats-specialty-kayak-seats-c-283_209.html

I've used a Surf To Summit Pro seat for a while now. Far & away my favorite seat so far.

damn, How do you guys stay awake...

T was thinking of picking up an Apex 1...I've heard good things.

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/651/Apex-1-High-Back-Seat.html

I wonder if I'd need to attach some velcro or something to the bottom to keep it from sliding a bit?

Yaknitup has the Apex and he gave it thumbs up when I asked him about it.  I just happened to have already ordered the Hot Seat from S2S, and was very happy with their service so I went back to them for the GTS Airwave.

The high back seats really give the back good solid support and make for absolute comfort on a long day.

You know if he has to secure the bottom of the seat to the kayak somehow? Seems like you'd slide up and down...

I have the Apex 1 and love the back support.  I use a piece of 3 inch close cell foam that I custom carved out to fit my custom butt.  I have a bad tail bone so I needed the extra padding (its from an old college sports drinking injury which involved beer and slipping on ice. I'm proud to say I spilled no beer).  Anyways, I recently misplaced the foam and have been just using the seat as is and it is comfortable.  But, I may add the hot seat for extra padding in the near future. 

Thanks Craig. Does your Apex 1 slide around, or do you have the bottom of the seat attached to the bottom of the kayak somehow?  On the closed cell foam or the hot seat, do you put that over or under the Apex 1 seat?

Thanks Craig. Does your Apex 1 slide around, or do you have the bottom of the seat attached to the bottom of the kayak somehow?  On the closed cell foam or the hot seat, do you put that over or under the Apex 1 seat?

The seat does not slide around if you have the straps snug. Take some time to adjust your straps when you get a seat since it takes some time to get it set just right. I rarely adjust the straps once they are set. These seats are very well thought out.

I have a self inflating butt pad I bungee'd on the seat. That extra air cushion goes a loooooong way in comfort. I don't trust the ones with the attached air pad. I've gone through a couple of self inflating butt pads so far because they do develop pinholes after prolonged use.

Cool...what type of self-inflating butt pad?  Where do I pick something like that up?

This is the one I use:

http://www.mastheadsailinggear.com/pc-25484-2558-crack-of-dawn-self-inflating-seat-pad.aspx

I'm sure something similar could be found at a Goodwill or somewhere that sells stuff for sitting on bleachers at sports events.

I'm currently upgrading components on an older Tarpon 140 I picked up.

There is no bottom to the seat, just the bottom of the boat with a stiff and short seat back. The seat back isn't bad, but doesn't hit my back well. I'm 6'3" and just can't get comfortable with it.

I'm thinking of taking it out and throwing in a full kayak seat. I've noticed these look more like the Crazy Creek style chairs...they strap in from the sides and back.

Anyone had luck using these/ recommendations? Good support? Side straps ever get in the way?

Thanks,
John

I'm sure you've seen the height adjustment on the older tarpon backrest?

The problem is the surface area on the old tarpon backrests....even if you adjust the height, it is still a relatively small area providing support vs. a supportive full back rest.