Dual Captain Chairs vs Bench

[Trevor Shipman]

So we’re thinking about upgrading from our 2006 AR210 to a 242 or a 240. The one thing I LOVE about the 210 is the bench seat. I think it offers more seating options as well as makes the space feel more open. With that concern I’m wondering if moving to a 24’ boat really only extends the bow seating.

I know mid 2010 years have the folding seat in the 240’s which I guess is better than no bench, but I really want a dedicated bench!!!! Why do the larger boats get rid of the bench?

Am I dwelling over this too much? Has anyone else here gone from a 210 to a 240? Is it THAT big of a difference?

 

[BlkGS]

Get an Sx230.. They have the bench lounger. I love it. Honestly, that's a big selling point for me, I wouldn't buy a boat without the bench Lounger. I don't understand why Yamaha puts them on so many models.

 

[Trevor Shipman]

At least I’m not alone! The bench is make or break for me I feel like! Really don’t understand why they don’t offer on the newer bigger boats.

 

[HangOutdoors]

I know I can lay down completely on our bench, and the Admiral loves it. Can get a bit bouncy in a big chop though. We also store a lot of things under it in containers. Can also push deflated tubes and stuff that I don't want to completely store and have to pull out later under it.

 

[rrmidden]

When we were looking at Yamahas in 2015, I thought for sure my wife would prefer the Models with Dual Captain Chairs, but she preferred the J-Seating/Bench, I just wanted a boat, so I wasn't going to be too picky.

After having it for years now, I don't think we could ever go with a boat with the Dual Captain Chairs. I'm 6'-6" and can lay down flat along the Port Side. In a completely similar, but totally different comparison, one of the reasons I got a Toyota Tundra over other trucks was because the Rear Window rolled completely down, and I still love that, and could never get another truck that didn't have that. So unless you truly don't care, stick with what you know you like/love.

 

[Julian]

My wife wouldn't consider a boat without a captains seat for her!

 

[1WetBoat]

We have to usually assign the captains seat when we go out. That is everyone's favorite seat along with sitting in the bow of the boat. The kids love sitting there, not sure why.

 

[TimW451]

I don’t think just butt space is going to be a sufficient enough reason to go to a 24x from what you have, especially from a similar vintage. You will mostly get it, and mostly in the bow of the boat. (Technically I think it only 3 butts more.) I think bigger motor, newer tech, or other amenities will need to motivate you too. A newer hull/year will help to increase the amount of differences.

 

[Trevor Shipman]

Thanks for that perspective. Yeah, my gut says that my love of the bench seat I might not be gaining that much going to a 240 with a captain chair. While I’d love a 2021 boat with all the tech, my price range will be less than 50k I think so that will put me at a 2013- 2016 max boat I think.

We’ll see. We have a friend with a 242X that we are hitting the water with in a few weeks, I’ll be heavily looking at how his boat feels compared to our 210.

 

[the MfM]

We have to usually assign the captains seat when we go out. That is everyone's favorite seat along with sitting in the bow of the boat. The kids love sitting there, not sure why.

Same here.

 

[Trevor Shipman]

What about the high output motors, what is the gas consumption on those like. I know pretty subjective based on how you drive and water sports... with our AR210 (mr1 motors) we can go 2 days without even thinking about gas. Literally never crosses our mind.

The lake we frequent doesn’t have gas on the lake is why I ask. So I would have to pull it daily if she’s a drinker.

 

[AZMark]

What about the high output motors, what is the gas consumption on those like. I know pretty subjective based on how you drive and water sports... with our AR210 (mr1 motors) we can go 2 days without even thinking about gas. Literally never crosses our mind.

The lake we frequent doesn’t have gas on the lake is why I ask. So I would have to pull it daily if she’s a drinker.

Never had a 210 but I’ve been surprised by how well my 212 with the 1.8s does on gas for cruising.

 

[Babin Farms]

We like the bench just due to the fact that our cooler fits under the seat and keeps it out of the sun. As much as the wife lounges in that spot I can't think of a time we've had it in the up position while on the water.

 

[kgower]

At least I’m not alone! The bench is make or break for me I feel like! Really don’t understand why they don’t offer on the newer bigger boats.

We feel just the opposite, no dual captains chairs no boat

 

[Trevor Shipman]

Haha too funny! Sound like we have the bench people and the dual chairs kind of people.

 

[Sean R]

I've had both Ar190 bench and 212S captain. honestly its a toss up with the 212 sometimes a bench would be nice for cooler, tubes etc...but the captain chair is more comfortable for sure. Regarding the Ar190 bench all the way, it really opens up that boat. I think it gives it a lot more room than it's 19 ft competitors.

 

[hapyfishrmn]

Having the J seating is nice for extra room plus space underneath the seat. In our AR190 I can't sit facing the rear without my head hitting the windshield. Not the biggest deal though

 

[212s]

View attachment 151446

Hey Babin what kind of cooler is that? We've been looking at getting a pair of low profile soft sided coolers to put under the chairs on each side, one for drinks and one for food.

 

[212s]

For us, two buckets or nothing was the requirements the wife.

 

[octavio3311]

For us - the wife wouldn’t consider a boat without the bench.