Smooth Move Seats?

[xoomer]

Has anyone installed a hydraulic seat to help make the ride smoother in choppy water? I found this site that has one which is somewhat ugly, but appears to do the job.



It's fairly pricey--over $500 for the latest model.

 

[Bruce]

I tend to stand up without bracing and let my knees take the impact out of the wake.

$500 invested in trim tabs would reduce the impact for all of your occupants.

 

[xoomer]

I tend to stand up without bracing and let my knees take the impact out of the wake.

$500 invested in trim tabs would reduce the impact for all of your occupants.

It's for my wife who doesn't like bouncing around when it gets choppy. Would trim tabs be as effective at the hydraulic seat? They certainly would look better.

 

[Bruce]

I have not tried any hydraulic seat so I can't really compare the two.

On larger waves our boats tend to ramp the wave, leave the water and crash down with the stern hitting the water first. My experience with trim tabs is that they cause the bow to stay down. With small wakes or waves the bow will push through them without rising. On larger waves the bow staying down turns the crossing into more of a roll than an impact.

I have video from the Bimini crossing where @RobA's 242 is jumping the waves with a heavy bow and crashing down bow first at an angle. We were running parallel to him at the same speed with our trim tabs down and my wife was standing up recording video. I believe that @justason felt we were cheating by having trim tabs.

 

[BoaterGuy]

I have not tried any hydraulic seat so I can't really compare the two.

On larger waves our boats tend to ramp the wave, leave the water and crash down with the stern hitting the water first. My experience with trim tabs is that they cause the bow to stay down. With small wakes or waves the bow will push through them without rising. On larger waves the bow staying down turns the crossing into more of a roll than an impact.

I have video from the Bimini crossing where @RobA's 242 is jumping the waves with a heavy bow and crashing down bow first at an angle. We were running parallel to him at the same speed with our trim tabs down and my wife was standing up recording video. I believe that @justason felt we were cheating by having trim tabs.

I'd sure like to see that video! Can you post it up?

I had smart tabs on my old four winns and I do miss having trim and trim tabs. I've been contemplating getting an 800 lbs fat sac for the ski locker.

Regarding the tabs, I dont think I've seen anyone actually put $500 tabs on a 240 series? I remember the one guy had the volvo tabs, but they are thousands...

 

[Addicted]

Has anyone installed a hydraulic seat to help make the ride smoother in choppy water? I found this site that has one which is somewhat ugly, but appears to do the job.



It's fairly pricey--over $500 for the latest model.

That is definitely pricey, and I am not sure how good it would look, but if it makes the wife happy and allows you more time on the water, then it would be worth every penny. Happy wife... Basically the same concept as a big rig seat.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

About 30 or more years ago I built custom seat pedestals using heavy walled aluminum tubing and motorcycle shocks, when people sat in the seat they would look astonished , and when we drove in the gulf hitting waves all they had to do was sit and hold the grab rail on the dash. I even had foot rests mounted on the tubing that could rotate 360 degrees so when you turned the seats backward you could also bring the foot rests around with the seat if you wanted to.

 

[Bruce]

I'd sure like to see that video! Can you post it up?

I had smart tabs on my old four winns and I do miss having trim and trim tabs. I've been contemplating getting an 800 lbs fat sac for the ski locker.

Regarding the tabs, I dont think I've seen anyone actually put $500 tabs on a 240 series? I remember the one guy had the volvo tabs, but they are thousands...

I will get the memory cards from @Rana and post it.

As for the Volvo Interceptors I sold a new in box set for $325 on Ebay last year. Not sure how much I paid for them. But I had purchased them on Ebay for something in that range. You can order a set for $670 from http://www.foreandaftmarine.com/VO-QL3841717.htm

Lectrotab offers trim tabs for our boats starting at $510. Lectrotab was very willing to work with me and build the tabs exactly as a specified. I am sure that they can help with any tweaks that might be needed to fit them to the 240 hull.

Riva sells a Yamaha specific trim tab set that I believe is a Bennett M120 set.

This is my trim tab install. I used a Mente Marine Controller which is very convenient but it is a personal decision of whether or not it is worth the price.

 

[Ed Miranda]

Bruce - I have a 2007 SX230 and am about to pull the trigger on the same trim tabs you have. My concern is on the install of the actuator in relation to the straps/hook. I read elsewhere that you positioned it in such a way that you took advantage of the thick part of the hull where the U-hook was attached 3/4" thick. It would really help me if you could post a picture but instead of the side pictures already posted - something to show it from the back to see how far the actuator is from the U-hook. Thank you in advance. -Ed

 

[Bruce]

@Ed Miranda, I can take that picture this evening.

 

[Eric Ballard]

I will get the memory cards from @Rana and post it.

As for the Volvo Interceptors I sold a new in box set for $325 on Ebay last year. Not sure how much I paid for them. But I had purchased them on Ebay for something in that range. You can order a set for $670 from http://www.foreandaftmarine.com/VO-QL3841717.htm

Lectrotab offers trim tabs for our boats starting at $510. Lectrotab was very willing to work with me and build the tabs exactly as a specified. I am sure that they can help with any tweaks that might be needed to fit them to the 240 hull.

Riva sells a Yamaha specific trim tab set that I believe is a Bennett M120 set.

This is my trim tab install. I used a Mente Marine Controller which is very convenient but it is a personal decision of whether or not it is worth the price.

I want to see that video too!

 

[Bruce]

@Ed Miranda, here is a pic from behind.

 

[Bruce]

@RobA, @Eric Ballard, here is the video in question. I believe the black hulled 242 is Rob. You can see him making a pretty big splash toward the end of the video. Keep in mind that @Rana is standing up taking the video near the center of our boat. @swatski, you will find this interesting as well.

 

[swatski]

@RobA, @Eric Ballard, here is the video in question. I believe the black hulled 242 is Rob. You can see him making a pretty big splash toward the end of the video. Keep in mind that @Rana is standing up taking the video near the center of our boat. @swatski, you will find this interesting as well.

Makes me want to go NOW.

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