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 Post subject: New Hobie Seat Pad
PostPosted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:04 am 
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Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2005 10:46 pm
Posts: 3017
Location: Escondido
Within a half hour of pedaling, my butt usually gets a little uncomfortable; before an hour I need a major change of position. So I was excited to see if this new seat pad could improve my posterior discomfort.

Having sat on the "i-Comfort Seat" for several hours now, I've said good-bye to sorebuttitus. After an hour this thing is as comfortable as the first minute. Even after two hours of straight pedaling, the seat still feels good!

The seat inflates automatically by opening the valve, owing to some sort of memory foam inside. While sitting on it, you can let air out as desired. Personally, I find all levels comfortable, even when almost deflated. I like it best partially deflated though. It makes a subtle but noticeable difference for your center of gravity with the Adventure and thus your stability in sailing and wake rides.

Sailing, if you scoot back and forth across the cockpit the full two inches allowed while tacking, you would find this new seat pad doesn't wrinkle up like the current standard bottom. It's not as stable as the older firm bottom, but is certainly a reasonable compromise.

As one who frequently logs one hour pedaling distances, I am thrilled to find that the seat seems to improve the speed slightly. My theory is that it improves circulation to the legs -- with better blood flow, you're getting better oxygenation to the muscles. Perhaps it's just my imagination or coincidence, but with the new seat I just logged a personel best 2 hour distance, beating the previous best by 2/10 mile.

In any event, the new seat bottom is going to be under my butt from now on! It makes a big difference in the enjoyment of kayaking to have a comfortable seat to sit on. I might even get one for my wife.

I believe installation is possible on almost all the Hobie seats except the very old riveted style. It's an easy procedure:

1. Lift the Velcro tabs at the back edge of the seat bottom and unscrew the two seat plugs.

2. Detach the old seat bottom:
Image

3. Attach the new pad (same Velcro system), aligning the screw holes.

4. Reverse the procedure in step #1.

For the older seats, the procedure is almost the same. You might be able to Velcro the new seat right on top of the sewn-in bottom, but I cut the old bottom off to keep the CG low. On my seat there is a line of thread about 1/4" in from the edge that restricts the full opening of the Velcro. I carefully removed it from the Velcro area (and tied it off at the base of the seat back) so I could get full opening of the tab to accommodate the new pad without trimming it.

Here's what the installation looks like with the older seat:

Image

Image

Image

Image

If you're happy with your current seat, there is no reason to change, but this new seat pad makes a huge difference in comfort for me! The only downside is wanting to spend more time on the water when there are other chores to be done. 8)


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 Post subject: Seat>Happiness
PostPosted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:11 pm 
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Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:50 pm
Posts: 87
Location: Big Bear Lake&Claremont CA
I can't wait to get mine the wife says she does'nt need 1 but I'll bet once I get mine I'll need to buy a second.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 11:09 pm 
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Joined: Sat May 21, 2005 11:32 am
Posts: 218
Location: Portland, OR
I have an Adventure Island (two of them in fact) and with the additional weight of the amas, amst and sail, there is always water in the seat area when the drain pluga are open.

Is the new seat pad thick enough to keep one's bottom dry?

If not, does Hobie have any plans for making an Adventure hull truly fitted or the Island total weigh. I'm not a light weight (200lbs) but I figure I should still be able to sail in light wind without a wet bottom.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:54 am 
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Hobie Team Member

Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:01 pm
Posts: 43
Location: Oceanside, California
The new seat pad isn't much thicker than the stock one, but its way more comfortable. I switched mine out last week and have thoroughly enjoyed it during my last 3 fishing trips. Good Job Hobie!

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:25 am 
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Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 12:44 pm
Posts: 15026
Location: Oceanside, California
Quote:
Is the new seat pad thick enough to keep one's bottom dry?


I can suggest that they can be stacked. The inflatable cushion on top of the standard one to get higher.

Wet is pretty much the story in the AI as the speeds and sleek / low hull design does allow waves or water surge to enter the cockpit.

Be sure the seat area drain plugs are screwed in.

Use the Mirage drive seal (rubber fitting in aft of the drive to help reduce water surge in the well). http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=8092

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Hobie Cat USA
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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:48 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jul 27, 2006 4:50 pm
Posts: 494
Location: sacramento california
Nothing like a nasty case of SWAMP A$$ to ruin your day out on the water
:lol: :cry: :lol:


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:23 pm 
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Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 5:21 pm
Posts: 335
mmiller wrote:
Wet is pretty much the story in the AI as the speeds and sleek / low hull design does allow waves or water surge to enter the cockpit.

It sure would be nice to have the long narrow sleekness of the Adventure, but with higher sides to prevent 6" waves from wetting the butt.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:16 am 
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Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 12:44 pm
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Location: Oceanside, California
kepnutz wrote:
Nothing like a nasty case of SWAMP A$$ to ruin your day out on the water


Thats why I dress for the conditions. You have to expect that getting wet is part of the experience in windy and wave conditions.

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Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
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Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:28 pm 
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Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 5:21 pm
Posts: 335
mmiller wrote:
Thats why I dress for the conditions. You have to expect that getting wet is part of the experience in windy and wave conditions.

Not if you are in an OUTBACK. :wink:


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PostPosted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:32 am 
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Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2007 1:24 pm
Posts: 34
Location: Melbourne Aus
the "i-Comfort Seat" sounds great. Can I order it from my Hobie dealer? What's the part number?

Thanks, Mack


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:49 am 
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Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 12:44 pm
Posts: 15026
Location: Oceanside, California
Yes, order from your Hobie Kayak dealer.

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=10114


[quote]New Hobie Accessories Now Available!



Image

72020028 MIRAGE SEAT PAD – INFLATABLE “i-Comfortâ€

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Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)


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 Post subject: i-Comfort is the best
PostPosted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 11:28 am 
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Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 7:14 am
Posts: 19
Location: Sebago Lake, Maine
I have tried gel pads and the newer seat. The i-Comfort is the best upgrade I have made to my 05 Outback. Everyone reading this should get one, you will not be sorry, you will enjoy comfortable kayaking!


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 11:34 am 
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Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 12:44 pm
Posts: 15026
Location: Oceanside, California
mattyak!!

Thanks for the glowing review!

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Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)


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 Post subject: Re: New Hobie Seat Pad
PostPosted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:16 am 
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Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2009 8:42 am
Posts: 38
I'm 250 lbs ...Will the i Comfort seat hold me without loosing air ? .....Are they built pretty tough ? ....Thanks, Jim


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 Post subject: Re: New Hobie Seat Pad
PostPosted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:02 pm 
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Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 12:44 pm
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Location: Oceanside, California
Should be fine.

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Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
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Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)


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