Hobie Outback Seat Upgrade


If you are like me and like to spend long hours on the water being comfortable while fishing is imperative. After hearing about the Jackson seat upgrade in the Hobie outback and test driving a Hobie pro angler I was determined to find a cheaper replacement for the stock seat. I searched every forum I knew of and found many ideas from inflatable seat cushions to $200 aftermarket models. After hours of research I have found two cost effective solutions to the problem and if you add them together they cost less than the Jackson seat. The increased comfort and back support allows for a more enjoyable time on the water. Aside from the increased comfort the seats have had some unforeseen benefits.  The added elevation has made pedaling the mirage drive easier increasing my range and minimizing fatigue. The higher seat also enables me to see further into the water when sight casting for redfish increasing the amount of fish I catch.The Hobie Outback is a great fishing platform and adding the elevated seat has made it even better for fishing the marshes of south Louisiana.
 Click the link to buy it now
Browning Camping Woodland Ultimate Turkey and Predator Hunting Chair
 Click the link to buy it now
Browning Camping Woodland Ultimate Turkey and Predator Hunting Chair

The seat upgrade I use the most is intended for use while hunting turkeys
from a ground blind but works perfect for a poor mans vantage seat. The turkey chair gives you about a ten inches of elevation off the bottom of the Outback. The  hull design allows for this modification without sacrificing much stability. I have noticed a slight change in stability but the outback still performs great with the higher seat. I have been in rough water of lake Pontchartrain with this seat and managed to stay upright and dry with little worry. The increased height also lets me get a full stroke on the mirage drive. I'm 6'3" and with the stock seat I was a little too tall to get full leg extension when pedaling. The seat also features extra storage a large mesh pouch on the back and a small mesh pouch as well as a zippered pouch on the front. I use the back storage for clothes that I shed off and the front has space for pliers or other small items you need to keep within reach. the elevated seat has also opened up storage between the deck and the chair I find it useful for stashing my measuring stick. This seat has held up well to the salt water and is showing no signs of corrosion. The only problem I have with the chair is the camouflage I wish that it came in more colors but it is intended to be a hunting chair. This seat gives you all of the benefits of the Jackson seat upgrade at less than half of the cost. If you are thinking about a seat upgrade you should definitely consider this cost effective solution.
sources:
http://www.stripersonline.com/t/913113/upgraded-hobie-outback-seat-diy











6 comments :

  1. Thanks, Jeff, for sharing good information on the turkey chair. I was seriously in the process of justifying purchasing the 2015 Outback when I saw your blog and others on alternate Hobie seats. I first did a brief trial run of the Browning turkey hunting chair (on a cold, 30mph windy day, but in a protected canal) and I even experimented with leaning over the side to find the point of no return. Obviously, I held the other hand firmly onto the pier to pull me back just as I was about to capsize. I had to place practically my whole upper body, including both shoulders, past the gunwale to get that "about to flip" feeling. I had a chance to fish for about 7 hours last Monday using the Turkey chair - Wow! What a difference! My back felt great, my pedaling was more comfortable (after moving the Mirage drive back 3 clicks), and the view from about 6 to 7 inches higher was outstanding. It is actually much easier to turn in the elevated position to grab fishing rods and tackle boxes. I now keep a couple of my Plano boxes under the seat. Perhaps I might encounter some choppy seas that would force me to slide down on the hatch and dismantle the seat... we'll see. I'm 6' 1", 230 and am excited about the new seat. I made the following augmentations to the basic Browning chair: (1) I mounted stainless hooks on either side of the upper frame of the chair and used heavy rubber bungees to lock it in place using existing Hobie seat and tank bungee eyelets. (2) I added thick, hard rubber strips (routed out to match the frame). I plan to replace the thin, stainless hooks with stronger nylon cleats to hold the rubber bungees. Thanks, again!

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  2. Hey Dan,

    Would you say the stadium seat upgrade or the turkey seat upgrade with the 1.5" height reduction would be a better all around option?

    Thanks,

    Will

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