Anyone have any experience with the "Seat-Go-Anywhere" sold by West/BoatUS compared to the "Sport-A-Seat?"
Seat-Go-Anywhere
- Thread starter Warren Milberg
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We bought 4 Sport-A-Seats
and we are not all that impressed with them for the price we paid. They cost twice as much as the seats sold at WM. Admittedly, I haven't tried the ones at WM, but I have a hard time believing that the seats we bought are twice as good, though. The Sport-A-Seats are comfortable, but I wouldn't buy them again.
and we are not all that impressed with them for the price we paid. They cost twice as much as the seats sold at WM. Admittedly, I haven't tried the ones at WM, but I have a hard time believing that the seats we bought are twice as good, though. The Sport-A-Seats are comfortable, but I wouldn't buy them again.
Sport v. WM
I bought two Sport-a-Seats at the Newport Boat Show last year, and have been happy with them. I bought them before I saw that West Marine was selling their version for less than half the price. For that difference in price, I would have been willing to chance that I wouldn't have liked the WM product as much. I have trouble believing that such a price difference isn't somehow related to quality. I suspect that the Sport a Seat has higher quality steel frame and ratcheting mechanisms. They are also made in this country; leaving aside the political/patriotic issues, that generally means higher costs than overseas production. You get what you pay for. That being said, I actually like the WM design better. It stores folded in half, comes with a shoulder strap and has an outside pocket.
I bought two Sport-a-Seats at the Newport Boat Show last year, and have been happy with them. I bought them before I saw that West Marine was selling their version for less than half the price. For that difference in price, I would have been willing to chance that I wouldn't have liked the WM product as much. I have trouble believing that such a price difference isn't somehow related to quality. I suspect that the Sport a Seat has higher quality steel frame and ratcheting mechanisms. They are also made in this country; leaving aside the political/patriotic issues, that generally means higher costs than overseas production. You get what you pay for. That being said, I actually like the WM design better. It stores folded in half, comes with a shoulder strap and has an outside pocket.
WM Seats
A friend has 2 of the West Marine seats. I can tell you they are comfortable although I have never used a Sport-a-seat so I can't compare. I also don't know how old the WM seats are (no more then a year or 2) so I can't judge on durability.
A friend has 2 of the West Marine seats. I can tell you they are comfortable although I have never used a Sport-a-seat so I can't compare. I also don't know how old the WM seats are (no more then a year or 2) so I can't judge on durability.
I bought two from West Marine and
one has already broken with minimal use...the seat will not lock and simply lays flat. I would not buy again.
one has already broken with minimal use...the seat will not lock and simply lays flat. I would not buy again.
Sport a Seat
We bought one Sport a Seat at a boatshow 5 years ago and after use and fighting over it, we bought another. These are 5 years old, function perfectly, and are very comfortable. Been dunked, left on the beach, and out in the Mexican sun for too many days. They are still like new. Tried the WM version, no comparison. Could feel the frame. I would certainly buy them (Sport a Seat) again as they are an important addition to the boat.
We bought one Sport a Seat at a boatshow 5 years ago and after use and fighting over it, we bought another. These are 5 years old, function perfectly, and are very comfortable. Been dunked, left on the beach, and out in the Mexican sun for too many days. They are still like new. Tried the WM version, no comparison. Could feel the frame. I would certainly buy them (Sport a Seat) again as they are an important addition to the boat.
Had Sport A Seats for 8 years or so...
with lots and lots of use. No problems although the foam is beginning to wear. Have heard the WM version doesn't hold up to much use. The SAS does, believe me! Guess you get what you pay for, and that's always a good choice so long as you know it.
with lots and lots of use. No problems although the foam is beginning to wear. Have heard the WM version doesn't hold up to much use. The SAS does, believe me! Guess you get what you pay for, and that's always a good choice so long as you know it.
Sport a Seat
Sport a Seat is the way to go Period........I ended up leaving two of the wm versions in the bahamas because they were only 6 months old and wore out........You can't wear out sport a seats. I have a couple extra I could sell they are brand new in the package. Tim Welsh Hunter 34
Sport a Seat is the way to go Period........I ended up leaving two of the wm versions in the bahamas because they were only 6 months old and wore out........You can't wear out sport a seats. I have a couple extra I could sell they are brand new in the package. Tim Welsh Hunter 34
Sport-A-Seat
is the way to go. Much better than the West/BoatUS knockoff. Bought mine at Torrensen's ship's store for $80+shipping. A good price for this product
is the way to go. Much better than the West/BoatUS knockoff. Bought mine at Torrensen's ship's store for $80+shipping. A good price for this product
Knock Off
My understanding is that the WM brand is truly that, a knockoff. They used to carry the Sport a Seats, and then obviously decided that they could get them made themselves cheaper. I've got 2 SAS's, only had them a year, but they are sturdy and have stood up to our use (2 adults, 4 kids). I can only speak anecdotally about the WM seats, and that is that the ratcheting mechanism is not as sturdy, their foam is a lesser quality/density so that they are not as comfortable and do not wear as long. I think this is one of those cases where you get what you pay for. And heck for only 8% of a boat buck, they shouldn't set you back that much. T J
My understanding is that the WM brand is truly that, a knockoff. They used to carry the Sport a Seats, and then obviously decided that they could get them made themselves cheaper. I've got 2 SAS's, only had them a year, but they are sturdy and have stood up to our use (2 adults, 4 kids). I can only speak anecdotally about the WM seats, and that is that the ratcheting mechanism is not as sturdy, their foam is a lesser quality/density so that they are not as comfortable and do not wear as long. I think this is one of those cases where you get what you pay for. And heck for only 8% of a boat buck, they shouldn't set you back that much. T J
Knock Off
My understanding is that the WM brand is truly that, a knockoff. They used to carry the Sport a Seats, and then obviously decided that they could get them made themselves cheaper. I've got 2 SAS's, only had them a year, but they are sturdy and have stood up to our use (2 adults, 4 kids). I can only speak anecdotally about the WM seats, and that is that the ratcheting mechanism is not as sturdy, their foam is a lesser quality/density so that they are not as comfortable and do not wear as long. I think this is one of those cases where you get what you pay for. And heck for only 8% of a boat buck, they shouldn't set you back that much. T J
My understanding is that the WM brand is truly that, a knockoff. They used to carry the Sport a Seats, and then obviously decided that they could get them made themselves cheaper. I've got 2 SAS's, only had them a year, but they are sturdy and have stood up to our use (2 adults, 4 kids). I can only speak anecdotally about the WM seats, and that is that the ratcheting mechanism is not as sturdy, their foam is a lesser quality/density so that they are not as comfortable and do not wear as long. I think this is one of those cases where you get what you pay for. And heck for only 8% of a boat buck, they shouldn't set you back that much. T J
bought 2 and sent them back
We have a SAS and liked it so well we decided to buy another. I saw the WM version at half the price and bought 2. I was so disappointed that I sent them back immediately. They are not made with Sunbrella (a much cheaper fabric that I didn't feel would hold up). The fit of the fabric was loose and sloppy. The foam felt inferior - you could feel the frame. They are HUGE. We have minimal storage on our boat and it would have taken most of it to hold them. Even the SAS is somewhat cumbersome but the WM version is even worse. So, I'm going to bite the bullet on the price and get another SAS. Having said all that I do want to compliment West Marine on my internet purchase experience. I received the seats and one had a slice in the fabric. (This was a couple of weeks ago.) I called WM right away and they had a replacement to me in about 2 days. AND they had me keep the damaged one. Unfortunately, I didn't like them and sent all 3 back. I'll let you all know if they don't credit me for the return though!
We have a SAS and liked it so well we decided to buy another. I saw the WM version at half the price and bought 2. I was so disappointed that I sent them back immediately. They are not made with Sunbrella (a much cheaper fabric that I didn't feel would hold up). The fit of the fabric was loose and sloppy. The foam felt inferior - you could feel the frame. They are HUGE. We have minimal storage on our boat and it would have taken most of it to hold them. Even the SAS is somewhat cumbersome but the WM version is even worse. So, I'm going to bite the bullet on the price and get another SAS. Having said all that I do want to compliment West Marine on my internet purchase experience. I received the seats and one had a slice in the fabric. (This was a couple of weeks ago.) I called WM right away and they had a replacement to me in about 2 days. AND they had me keep the damaged one. Unfortunately, I didn't like them and sent all 3 back. I'll let you all know if they don't credit me for the return though!
We bought two of the large WMs. The fit is sloppy.
But the fabric is 'sunbrella' or acrylic. They are holding up and are comfortable. They've even survived one of our dogs digging a den into it for a month. And they were on sale for $50. each. No complaints but time will tell.
But the fabric is 'sunbrella' or acrylic. They are holding up and are comfortable. They've even survived one of our dogs digging a den into it for a month. And they were on sale for $50. each. No complaints but time will tell.
Happ with WMs.
Bought 'em two years ago and have had no problems. Money well spent. We haven't asked them to sit up on their own, though, always in the cockpit. Mac
Bought 'em two years ago and have had no problems. Money well spent. We haven't asked them to sit up on their own, though, always in the cockpit. Mac
Wait for the Show
If you wait for the Annapolis Boat show the guy will be there with both and you can sit on both of them and feel the difference.
If you wait for the Annapolis Boat show the guy will be there with both and you can sit on both of them and feel the difference.
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