Well, it's now 2005! We've put the tree away; we're looking ahead to Valentines Day; the St. Louis Boat Show and Tax Day. Assuming we survive all of these - the next stop is next spring and bringing Grasshopper II out of winter storage. We're thinking of Stern Rail Seats. I'm sure that there is a wealth of information in the Archives on this subject ... what I'm asking here is: 1. I'm assuming that Hunter is the best source for these add on. Right??? 2. If any of you have had experiences from other manufacturers - any information? 3. Are these seats installable by the owner? (i.e. ME) Should they be installed professionally? 4. Any comments or suggestions from any of you? 5. Those of you who have Stern Rail Seats - wo you enjoy them? 6. Do you have any idea of costs for seats? I'm assuming about 6 or 7 boat units ($100 per BU) plus another three or four BU for professional installation (if #3 is answered a certain way). Wishing everyone a happy New Year. Tom Grass Grasshopper II H-26 #174 Carlyle Lake, Illinois (St. Louis)
- Status
Check this out
Check this out. I was shopping around and found it once, but I have no experience with them. Maybe someone else has installed them before? http://www.zarcor.com/s2k/Sternperch.html
Check this out. I was shopping around and found it once, but I have no experience with them. Maybe someone else has installed them before? http://www.zarcor.com/s2k/Sternperch.html
Stern seats
When we owned Feng Shui our H335 we had got the stern seats. They were fit to the boat and worked very well. Our boats had the split back stay and the seats were cut around to maximize seating comfort and fit the drink holder. They quickly became the favorite spot. THe view was excellent, seats comfy, and we could steer from there. It was an an improvment over standing behind the wheel.
When we owned Feng Shui our H335 we had got the stern seats. They were fit to the boat and worked very well. Our boats had the split back stay and the seats were cut around to maximize seating comfort and fit the drink holder. They quickly became the favorite spot. THe view was excellent, seats comfy, and we could steer from there. It was an an improvment over standing behind the wheel.
What year 26?
I think all of these boats, beginning with 1994 on, came with stern rail seats. If you have a different model, clarify it and you may get more responses. Also, have you checked the archives? This issue has been discussed many times here on HOW for the earlier boats w/o stern rail seats. There is a metal company that many people have used you will see named there. (Tops in Quality or something like that I think.)
I think all of these boats, beginning with 1994 on, came with stern rail seats. If you have a different model, clarify it and you may get more responses. Also, have you checked the archives? This issue has been discussed many times here on HOW for the earlier boats w/o stern rail seats. There is a metal company that many people have used you will see named there. (Tops in Quality or something like that I think.)
Not all h26's came with stern rail seats.
Indeed the origional brochure shows the boat without. I would go for the factory authorized ones as they are made to fit. You can call Hunter. I didn't install myself (used boat came with them), but from reading posts here, lots of fitting into small spaces, carving out foam and such. They are the most popular seat in the house, definately worth the BU's. alan
Indeed the origional brochure shows the boat without. I would go for the factory authorized ones as they are made to fit. You can call Hunter. I didn't install myself (used boat came with them), but from reading posts here, lots of fitting into small spaces, carving out foam and such. They are the most popular seat in the house, definately worth the BU's. alan
Worth it!
We had the folks at St Louis Sailing add the stern rails to our 1994 H-26. One winter I removed the wood slats and Cetol-ed them. Later added some West Marine weatherproof speakers below so we can listen to Carmina Burana while we sail. Not only is it a great place for enjoying the view and breeze, but the rail gives you a good place to mount the Lifesling!
We had the folks at St Louis Sailing add the stern rails to our 1994 H-26. One winter I removed the wood slats and Cetol-ed them. Later added some West Marine weatherproof speakers below so we can listen to Carmina Burana while we sail. Not only is it a great place for enjoying the view and breeze, but the rail gives you a good place to mount the Lifesling!
Love mine
Mine came with the seats, but they are great. Today, I was moving my boat to its berth from the ramp (takes about an hour). I was motoring (not my desire, but time . . .) and I could sit on the stern seat and steer with my tiller extension. Fantastic.
Mine came with the seats, but they are great. Today, I was moving my boat to its berth from the ramp (takes about an hour). I was motoring (not my desire, but time . . .) and I could sit on the stern seat and steer with my tiller extension. Fantastic.
Call Hunter Parts department...
at 386-462-3077 Ext. 3015 For price and install directions. Much of the Hunter HW is installed into aluminum plates molded into the boat at time of mfg. Your boat probably already has the plates, in which case, a simple drill and tap operation is all that is required for installation. Otherwise, it may be a challege to access the forward most attach point on the back side of the cockpit coming. Perhaps marine "moly bolts" or some other means of securing without accessing the back is possible. Fair winds... Tom
at 386-462-3077 Ext. 3015 For price and install directions. Much of the Hunter HW is installed into aluminum plates molded into the boat at time of mfg. Your boat probably already has the plates, in which case, a simple drill and tap operation is all that is required for installation. Otherwise, it may be a challege to access the forward most attach point on the back side of the cockpit coming. Perhaps marine "moly bolts" or some other means of securing without accessing the back is possible. Fair winds... Tom
Did it myself ona '94 23.5
Ah Yes Grasshopper. One must look inside one's self to determine if he has the inner peace to accomplish such a noble task the your significant other will most certainly enjoy. OK enough with the Kung Fu old guy. Anyway, I did it myself with the help of one person. If the structure of the 26 is very similar to the 23.5 it shoud be accessable to mount the backing plate on the under side of the transom and under the rub rail. Order them from Hunter. Don't do anything with molly bolts. You need the backing plates to help support the weight of someone sitting in it. They will be about 6 or 7 BU's (I like that terminology, it makes it sound less painful!) Make sure to tell them that the backing plates for the under side of the rub rails need to be narrower. The lead time may surprise you from when you place the order to when you get the seats. They don't keep them on the shelf at Hunter. They fabricate them once the order is placed. So order them now and install them before it gets too hot. Also tell them not to forget the cup holders. Dry fit everything and use 5200. Good luck. E-mail me if you have any questions about the installation. I'm in the Hunter owners directory. Jonathan Costello
Ah Yes Grasshopper. One must look inside one's self to determine if he has the inner peace to accomplish such a noble task the your significant other will most certainly enjoy. OK enough with the Kung Fu old guy. Anyway, I did it myself with the help of one person. If the structure of the 26 is very similar to the 23.5 it shoud be accessable to mount the backing plate on the under side of the transom and under the rub rail. Order them from Hunter. Don't do anything with molly bolts. You need the backing plates to help support the weight of someone sitting in it. They will be about 6 or 7 BU's (I like that terminology, it makes it sound less painful!) Make sure to tell them that the backing plates for the under side of the rub rails need to be narrower. The lead time may surprise you from when you place the order to when you get the seats. They don't keep them on the shelf at Hunter. They fabricate them once the order is placed. So order them now and install them before it gets too hot. Also tell them not to forget the cup holders. Dry fit everything and use 5200. Good luck. E-mail me if you have any questions about the installation. I'm in the Hunter owners directory. Jonathan Costello
- Status