Stern Rail Seat Weight Limit

L

largojimbo2003

.
Feb 22, 2009
10
Hunter 386 Florida
Howdy,

Lots of information about stern rail seats and their care and use but no one talks about the weight limits of someone actually sitting in them. Holiday time in Florida means relatives traveling down from the North and wanting to go sailing. I've got a brother-in-law who likes to strap on the ol' feed bag. He's pushing 280 without the beer in his hand. 283 when he does. Question: If Jocko sits in one of the stern rail seats on a 2003 Hunter 386, will she hold, will she buckle or just cry a lot? Cant find anything in the Hunter manual. Please let me know. Thank you
 
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Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

.
Sep 25, 2008
7,496
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
280 pounds is a pretty big point load but most people who weigh that much tend to spread the load over a wide area:waycool:
 
Boomer54

Boomer54

.
Feb 3, 2015
299
Marlow Hunter 37 Reefpoint Marina Racine, WI
He is a big boy and certainly knows it. If he attempts/wants to sit there, I’d be tempted just to plainly tell him it may not support him. If he decides to chance it, hand him a line or life ring first. He’ll get the hint!
 
Justin_NSA

Justin_NSA

.
Jul 7, 2004
8,496
Hunter 30T Cheney, KS
Tell him they are called "babe seats". Maybe he will change his mind. I have to kill the image of 280lbs in bathing trunks showing off the stern! :yikes:
I think the rail will support him. Not sure about the seat material. Mine look like StarBoard or equivalent.
 
Mikem

Mikem

.
Dec 20, 2009
823
Hunter 466 Bremerton
My oldest son is 6'6" and 320 (yes he played college ball) and the stern seats on my 466 hold him just fine. Just don't slam into it.
 
Jake N Eggs

Jake N Eggs

.
Jun 2, 2011
347
Hunter H33 Port Credit Harbour, ON.
Justin_NSA said:
Tell him they are called "babe seats". Maybe he will change his mind. I have to kill the image of 280lbs in bathing trunks showing off the stern! :yikes:
I think the rail will support him. Not sure about the seat material. Mine look like StarBoard or equivalent.
Click to expand
We call them Princess seats. Best seats in the house. Sorry, can't say about the load but I have had pretty big guys in mine with no issues. Big princess'.
 
Tom J

Tom J

.
Sep 30, 2008
2,325
Catalina 310 Quincy, MA
Jocko could come in handy to trim the boat. Just ask him to move from one seat to the other, depending on what tack you are on. Or, if you are worried about the rail seat, ask him to move forward, so the boat doesn't squat so much!
 
K

karellen

.
Jan 5, 2017
151
Hunter 356 SF Bay / Delta
I weigh 225 or so. Never gave any thought to the princess seats not holding...
 
Fred

Fred

.
Sep 27, 2008
517
Catalina 28 mkii 745 Ottawa, Ontario, CA
Not sure about your boat but the H26 has a lifeline joining the two stern rails (seats). I notice that there is considerably more tension in this line when sitting on the stern rail seat or when my dinghy motor is mounted on the rail. Probably a good thing to have this cable in place when heavily loading the seats to distribute the forces somewhat.
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

.
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
Are the seats held up also by one SS post? If so, reinforce the bolts with washers or some other means. Screws won't get it.
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,392
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
When considering weight and balance would you hang a 300 lb dingy on a corner of the stern or would you want that mass down low in the cockpit?
 
Captain Larry-DH

Captain Larry-DH

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Jun 14, 2010
2,372
Robertson & Caine 2017 Leopard 40 CT
Not just a problem from obesity, but anyone with an agility issue is a safety concern and I wouldn’t invite them aboard (if social circumstances allow me to avoid it). You should also consider how you would recover the guest if MOB, and have a plan.
I insist that all guests wear a PFD when not below decks, and I wear one myself as an example. That way your “higher risk” guests aren’t singled out. I have inflatable belt packs for swimmers (and show them how to use them) and auto-inflate vests with harnesses for people who are less confident in the water or who aren’t sure they can use the swim ladder. I’d offer one with harness to a “bigger” guest. I could try to use a halyard and winch to recover someone in a harness (provided they are conscious and cooperating).
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,392
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Don Lucas said:
I guess I can no longer sail. :-(
Click to expand
This is not true.
It is the boat that influences your sailing experience gauged against your body shape.
Many a large pirate enjoyed a good Sail upon a strong boat.
342D2688-4130-46F9-89DA-7FBA8C5749E3.jpeg
A less than enjoyable sail might occur on an inappropriate boat selection.
AC15B6D0-B6A2-40DA-9236-ABB4DA748A72.jpeg
 
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