Why only one seat? Dinghies

[rsn48]

So like many here, I've been looking at dinghies and I have discovered a mystery I can't solve. Many dinks 10 ft and below have attachment points for two seats (which I would like to have) but only come with one seat. No problem I think, I'll just go into accessories when ordering and get another seat. But there are no other seats available. And I think to myself, what kind of business model is that?

This is the one I am seriously considering, any comments about it welcome! Its a 9 ft 6 inch Ocean Air aluminum rib (with one seat!!!) And I can't solve the mystery as to how to get another one:

https://www.harbourchandler.ca/shop/...latable-boats/

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by rsn48

So like many here, I've been looking at dinghies and I have discovered a mystery I can't solve. Many dinks 10 ft and below have attachment points for two seats (which I would like to have) but only come with one seat. No problem I think, I'll just go into accessories when ordering and get another seat. But there are no other seats available. And I think to myself, what kind of business model is that?

This is the one I am seriously considering, any comments about it welcome! Its an 8 ft 8 inch, aluminum rib (with two seats!!!)

RIB 270 AL - BSMarine

Personal preference. IME, a second seat would just get in the way, particularly when I'm carrying stuff.

[LoudMusic]

We bought a dinghy earlier this year and the vendor had additional seats in stock so we bought one. We both sit on the tubes. Seats rarely get used.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by LoudMusic

We bought a dinghy earlier this year and the vendor had additional seats in stock so we bought one. We both sit on the tubes. Seats rarely get used.

Yep, the only time we use the seat is when rowing, either solo or side by side.
(3.5 m RIB)

On a <10 foot inflatable, two seats would be awfully close together anyhow, and would indeed be in the way...IMO

Jim

[ranger58sb]

We have a Walker Bay Genesis 310 RIB, with two seat positions. I bought an extra seat from the local dealer. Easy. And that means we also get the extra storage area in the additional seat. We sit on the seats, not the tubes.

-Chris

[Suijin]

The business model is to give people what they want and most people don’t want or need a second seat. So selling the seats separately probably is not high on their list.

I leave the seat out of my 10’ AB 98% of the time. It just gets in the way.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by rsn48

So like many here, I've been looking at dinghies and I have discovered a mystery I can't solve. Many dinks 10 ft and below have attachment points for two seats (which I would like to have) but only come with one seat. No problem I think, I'll just go into accessories when ordering and get another seat. But there are no other seats available. And I think to myself, what kind of business model is that?

This is the one I am seriously considering, any comments about it welcome! Its a 9 ft 6 inch Ocean Air aluminum rib (with one seat!!!) And I can't solve the mystery as to how to get another one:

https://www.harbourchandler.ca/shop/...latable-boats/

my 9'6" inflatable came with 2 seats, but the second seat is right at the transom and just gets in the way so it stays stored all the time.

[ontherocks83]

I've almost never used the seats on ribs unless rowing. Most people I've seen usually jsit on the tubes anyways.

[goat]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Yep, the only time we use the seat is when rowing, either solo or side by side.
(3.5 m RIB)

On a <10 foot inflatable, two seats would be awfully close together anyhow, and would indeed be in the way...IMO

Jim

I can picture you and Ann sitting on a friend, also named Jim, rowing your dinghy.....

;^)

goat

[Scaramanga F25]

Sit on the tubes. Much more comfort. Seat is for rowing.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Personal preference. IME, a second seat would just get in the way, particularly when I'm carrying stuff.

Even one seat is in the way. I leave the seat at home. We either sit on the tubes, or if its rough we sit on the bottom. Its a dinghy, not a car.

[Dooglas]

Just shows you there is every opinion you can imagine out there. I agree about the two seats. I have put a second seat in each RIB I have owned. My current Avon 9.5' has a second fiberglass seat installed aft for the person at the OB tiller. The second seat is identical to the original midship seat in my case and there was no trouble getting another from the dealer.

[FionaJC]

Sit on the tubes unless I'm rowing but a RIB is different to a 2m+ tender.

[Mike Banks]

I use Polycraft tenders, and they have a similar problem. The seat is non existent for rowing , but I just make up a seat out of heavy plywood reinforced underneath with a stringer, and I put a little carpet glued to the part that sits on the gunwales and on top of the seat, and it has stops fitted to it that allow it to fit neatly into the handle recesses so that once in place it can not move.

Lack of a comfortable seat for rowing that can be lifted and stowed as required is a HUGE failing of many tenders--and one should be able to buy what one needs not have to design and build it yourself. When that outboard quits you NEED to be able to row it--and the Polycrafts row really well once that seat is in place.

[Shrew]

There are a few reasons for this:

1) The manufacturer doesn't include the extra seat because it would be an increase in cost and drive up the purchase price for the buyer.

2) The chandler doesn't carry them because most people don't buy an extra seat.

The seat really only serves two purposes:

a) Lateral stability between the tubes, yet allowing storage on the floor below.

b) a place to row.

You won't be operating an OB from the seat. and everyone will be sitting on the tubes. It would only serve to get in the way IMHO.