I bought two of the "Sport-A-Seats" at the show in St. Pete this month. I was a little skeptical at first, considering the price. We just used them on a weekend trip and they are AWESOME. I was first considering dropping over $600 for a full set of cockpit cushions for my Hunter 23.5. I decided to try these, especially becuase they are useful off the boat as well. The product is very well designed and VERY comfortable. I sailed all day sitting on one in the cockpit, and it seems like it was made for sailing. I also reclined just in front of the mast and took a little siesta, and I could not believe how perfect these seats are for my boat. Another nice feature is that since they are self supporting, you can sit facing forwards with your feet stretched out in front of you while driving the boat, a very nice benefit. Then we took them on the beach for a while, perfect for that also. For anyone considering their options for cockpit cushions/seating, take a look at the Sport a Seats. They are not flotation devices, but I was told that they will float for about 2 hours in case a seat goes overboard. No I don't work for the company, just wanted to pass along my experiences. By the way, they can be had for about $20 less than the website price at the boat shows. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
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Here is the Link to Sport-a-Seat
I found the link and figure others will want to take a look as well. Tom
I found the link and figure others will want to take a look as well. Tom
Yes that is the link
I didnt want to post a link because I didnt know if it was a violation of the site rules (advertising). The seats in the link are the ones I have.
I didnt want to post a link because I didnt know if it was a violation of the site rules (advertising). The seats in the link are the ones I have.
OH MY GD!
I Was just looking at their web site 2 mins ago...Then put this site back up and saw you guys are talking about it!!..too weird. My wife and I saw and sat in them at the Annapolis Boat show....we hemed and hawed about them then bagged because we didnt want to carry them around all day and thought we would just pick them up on line...Now the are $20.00 more on line and you have to pay shipping. Ill wait until the Philadelphia boat show...Im sure they will be there also. Oh and Just to compare yes west marine has them also but they are no where near as comfortable or as well built. I have no connection with the company either...I just wish we picked them up in October. happy T day!!
I Was just looking at their web site 2 mins ago...Then put this site back up and saw you guys are talking about it!!..too weird. My wife and I saw and sat in them at the Annapolis Boat show....we hemed and hawed about them then bagged because we didnt want to carry them around all day and thought we would just pick them up on line...Now the are $20.00 more on line and you have to pay shipping. Ill wait until the Philadelphia boat show...Im sure they will be there also. Oh and Just to compare yes west marine has them also but they are no where near as comfortable or as well built. I have no connection with the company either...I just wish we picked them up in October. happy T day!!
Even Cheaper
West Marine carries the Sport-a-Seat also for about $90 but at leasthere on the West coast there's a coupon in The Log (www.thelog.com)and the prce with the coupon is $45. That deal is good until Nov 28th. Just picked up our 3rd one the other day. BoatUS also has a coupon out which gets you the seat for $50. Bill
West Marine carries the Sport-a-Seat also for about $90 but at leasthere on the West coast there's a coupon in The Log (www.thelog.com)and the prce with the coupon is $45. That deal is good until Nov 28th. Just picked up our 3rd one the other day. BoatUS also has a coupon out which gets you the seat for $50. Bill
Another option available right here
It might be worth checking out a similar product called "Amazing Seat", available on this site. See Related link below for product info and reviews - they sell for $76.95.
It might be worth checking out a similar product called "Amazing Seat", available on this site. See Related link below for product info and reviews - they sell for $76.95.
BEWARE -- The West Marine knockoff is NOT
the original Sport-a-Seat. (They want you to "think" that) What is in their stores, is in fact, a poor replica (they call them "Go Anywhere Seats". Not to mention that West Marine USED to sell the original Sport-a-Seat and then decided to rip off the original (small business) manufacturers of the original. I talked to them at a boat show and they were going trying to stop WM, but they just don't have the resources (or energy) to fight West Marine . To me what WM has done is very deceiptful and they do it for other products too....their "Tek Gell" is a PISS POOR knock off of the original TefGell ( http://shop.goebms.com/pss/detail.html?prodid=TG) which they also "used" to carry and then knockoff themselves with a crappy substitute. So my point is - I would support and buy the original Sport-a-Seat, its better than what WM has http://www.sportaseat.com/questions/#different (Clipped from Web Site) --------------------------------- The original The Sport-a-Seat is made in the USA. The knock-offs are made in China. The cover of the Sport-a-Seat is made with Sunbrella fabric, which will not fade, and a very sturdy zipper, which will not break easily if at all. The cover of the knock-offs made in China is an acryllic fabric that is likely to fade, and the zippers tend to beak quite easily. The Sport-a-Seat uses a very high density polyurethane foam which maintains its cushion for years. You don't feel the frame through the foam, nor do you bottom out when you're seated. The knock-offs from China have foam which is not very dense, and you tend to feel the frame as well as the surface on which you're seated after a short period of time depending on your weight. The frame of the Sport-a-Seat is incredibly sturdy, will hold up to 350# in each position and has contour bends for back comfort. There is a teflon protector attached to the hinge. The knock-offs from China have no back contours, are definitely not very sturdy and have no protector attached to the hinge. The knock-offs from China are sometimes less expensive than the Sport-a-Seat. However, BUYER BEWARE.
the original Sport-a-Seat. (They want you to "think" that) What is in their stores, is in fact, a poor replica (they call them "Go Anywhere Seats". Not to mention that West Marine USED to sell the original Sport-a-Seat and then decided to rip off the original (small business) manufacturers of the original. I talked to them at a boat show and they were going trying to stop WM, but they just don't have the resources (or energy) to fight West Marine . To me what WM has done is very deceiptful and they do it for other products too....their "Tek Gell" is a PISS POOR knock off of the original TefGell ( http://shop.goebms.com/pss/detail.html?prodid=TG) which they also "used" to carry and then knockoff themselves with a crappy substitute. So my point is - I would support and buy the original Sport-a-Seat, its better than what WM has http://www.sportaseat.com/questions/#different (Clipped from Web Site) --------------------------------- The original The Sport-a-Seat is made in the USA. The knock-offs are made in China. The cover of the Sport-a-Seat is made with Sunbrella fabric, which will not fade, and a very sturdy zipper, which will not break easily if at all. The cover of the knock-offs made in China is an acryllic fabric that is likely to fade, and the zippers tend to beak quite easily. The Sport-a-Seat uses a very high density polyurethane foam which maintains its cushion for years. You don't feel the frame through the foam, nor do you bottom out when you're seated. The knock-offs from China have foam which is not very dense, and you tend to feel the frame as well as the surface on which you're seated after a short period of time depending on your weight. The frame of the Sport-a-Seat is incredibly sturdy, will hold up to 350# in each position and has contour bends for back comfort. There is a teflon protector attached to the hinge. The knock-offs from China have no back contours, are definitely not very sturdy and have no protector attached to the hinge. The knock-offs from China are sometimes less expensive than the Sport-a-Seat. However, BUYER BEWARE.
OTOH...
First, I agree that the Sporta Seat is an incredible benefit. I once heard them called "marriage savers" because the wife could finally sit comfortably on the saiboat. Second, I also think the West version is a sorry imitation. But, re the original manuf of the Sporta Seat: if they had a legitimate claim against WM would an atty take that case on a contingency if nothing else? I know similar cases have followed that route against the mother ship - Wal Mart. The orig manuf's are nice people, I 've talked to them at the show, but I suspect something didn't get patented, trademarked or legally protected from the outset. Just my 2 cents...
First, I agree that the Sporta Seat is an incredible benefit. I once heard them called "marriage savers" because the wife could finally sit comfortably on the saiboat. Second, I also think the West version is a sorry imitation. But, re the original manuf of the Sporta Seat: if they had a legitimate claim against WM would an atty take that case on a contingency if nothing else? I know similar cases have followed that route against the mother ship - Wal Mart. The orig manuf's are nice people, I 've talked to them at the show, but I suspect something didn't get patented, trademarked or legally protected from the outset. Just my 2 cents...
Don, You are probably right about the original
guys not doing their "due diligence" before bringing the product to market or something like that....but both WM products are a bit deceiving to the casual marine shopper
guys not doing their "due diligence" before bringing the product to market or something like that....but both WM products are a bit deceiving to the casual marine shopper
Original Sport-a-Seat
We bought one at a boat show 7 years ago, found out we both wanted to use it. Bought another one. Been in the boat, on the beach for over 6 years. No fading, no malfunction. We use it on the deck, cockpit, and down below. It goes to shore in the dink, and sometimes ends up in the water. Quality product (original) and well worth the money.
We bought one at a boat show 7 years ago, found out we both wanted to use it. Bought another one. Been in the boat, on the beach for over 6 years. No fading, no malfunction. We use it on the deck, cockpit, and down below. It goes to shore in the dink, and sometimes ends up in the water. Quality product (original) and well worth the money.
I have no problem with knockoffs.
We bought the West Marine seats ($45 each) in the spring and have been extremely happy with them. Mac
We bought the West Marine seats ($45 each) in the spring and have been extremely happy with them. Mac
Sport a Seat
This September we got two for the price of one at "Boats R US" in Rockville, MD. I'll bet they have another sale next year, and West Marine being married to Boat US will honor the sale. $50 per seat is not bad. We use them for seats and/or cockpit cushions
This September we got two for the price of one at "Boats R US" in Rockville, MD. I'll bet they have another sale next year, and West Marine being married to Boat US will honor the sale. $50 per seat is not bad. We use them for seats and/or cockpit cushions
Buying at the boat shows
We bought our original Sport-a-Seats (2) at a boat show. We also didn't want to carry them around the show all day. The people (probably owners) that were working the vendor booth allowed us to leave them at the booth until we were ready to leave at the end of the day. We love our Sport-a-Seats! Jack
We bought our original Sport-a-Seats (2) at a boat show. We also didn't want to carry them around the show all day. The people (probably owners) that were working the vendor booth allowed us to leave them at the booth until we were ready to leave at the end of the day. We love our Sport-a-Seats! Jack
WM Knockoffs
We have 4 Sport-a-seats and 2 of the WM knockoffs. We have had all 3 pairs for several years. The WM knockoffs are a very poor second to the originals. Now that they have aged some, the frame of the knockoffs is "feelable" and the fabric, which is not Sunbrella, has faded. The other four are just fine with no discernable wear. We liveaboard and the seats are used constantly. We also were thinking of buying a full set of cockpit cushions but found that the set of Sport-a-seats to be better for our needs. Rodney
We have 4 Sport-a-seats and 2 of the WM knockoffs. We have had all 3 pairs for several years. The WM knockoffs are a very poor second to the originals. Now that they have aged some, the frame of the knockoffs is "feelable" and the fabric, which is not Sunbrella, has faded. The other four are just fine with no discernable wear. We liveaboard and the seats are used constantly. We also were thinking of buying a full set of cockpit cushions but found that the set of Sport-a-seats to be better for our needs. Rodney
Thanks
I didn't expect the responses about the WM version of the Sport-a-Seat. We have 2 of the originals an the WM knock-off is going back today. Thanks. Bill
I didn't expect the responses about the WM version of the Sport-a-Seat. We have 2 of the originals an the WM knock-off is going back today. Thanks. Bill
Witnessed a great one at the boat show
Have known the owners for years, lived around the conner from them. I've got four of the seats and would not trade them for anything. My wife has a bad back and she sits in it for hours, very comfortable. At the the last Annapolis show in October I was taking to Ned when a gentleman (I'm being nice) came up with the WM product and started telling Ned what a rip-off he was. Selling the same seat for double the price. Well Ned went into his sellmanship mode. Have you sat in both seats to compare? If you stop by they have a small wooden box with one of the Sport-a-Seats for you to try. So he got the guy to sit in a Sort-a-Seat, lean back, wiggle your butt. Now try this with the WM seat. The guy sat down started wiggling and leaned back, then the seat snapped on one side and over the guy went. The metal frame bent and dropped him on the floor. Of course I was very concerned and started laughing and told him you get what you pay for. He got up muttering to himself and grabed the seat and told Ned he was going to return to WM and get his money back. Ned told me, he latter stopped by and bought two Sport-A-Seats. You get what you pay for. Jim S/V Java
Have known the owners for years, lived around the conner from them. I've got four of the seats and would not trade them for anything. My wife has a bad back and she sits in it for hours, very comfortable. At the the last Annapolis show in October I was taking to Ned when a gentleman (I'm being nice) came up with the WM product and started telling Ned what a rip-off he was. Selling the same seat for double the price. Well Ned went into his sellmanship mode. Have you sat in both seats to compare? If you stop by they have a small wooden box with one of the Sport-a-Seats for you to try. So he got the guy to sit in a Sort-a-Seat, lean back, wiggle your butt. Now try this with the WM seat. The guy sat down started wiggling and leaned back, then the seat snapped on one side and over the guy went. The metal frame bent and dropped him on the floor. Of course I was very concerned and started laughing and told him you get what you pay for. He got up muttering to himself and grabed the seat and told Ned he was going to return to WM and get his money back. Ned told me, he latter stopped by and bought two Sport-A-Seats. You get what you pay for. Jim S/V Java
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