Skipper seat review

Author: josh

Category: Gear reviews

Created on Wednesday, 23 November 2011 07:32

Written by Josh

There's nothing quite like extended and constant usage to figure out what works and what doesn't. After spending 8 consequitive days of yak fishing and sailing up and down the west coast of Fraser Island, particularly having compared the experience to our previous other trips, I'm now ready to declare the Skipper seat experiment a smashing success. Carl fitted one of these to his 2010 AI prior to departing and upon conclusion of the trip he was every bit as positive about it as I was. As we were hoping, the elevated position of the Skipper seat kept us higher and drier but more important than that (in this instance) was keeping us more comfortable. Unlike previous years, we didn't end the trip with super-stiff legs or monkey-butt syndrome and we'd both agree that the seat is what made the difference. It wasn't just the extra padding, but also the ability to shift ones weight and or position in the seat, which can provide relief from stiffness, as well as allow you to pedal the miragedrive with alternative muscles.

I decided to make use of the potential storage area beneath the skipper seat by putting my 3lt Geigerigg bladder underneath it, positioning the pressure bulb out to the side and running the hose up along the backrest, where I could access it quickly. This turned out to be a great place to position it, partly because of it's weight, but also because of it's awkward shape, which might otherwise become a bother. I employed this concept primarily for the trip itself, but liked it's utility so much that have decided to keep using it that way. It's not just handy for drinking, but also squirting down sunglass and camera lenses as well. Hiding underneath the seat it's out of harms way and is accessible without getting in the way of anything.

On the backrest of the Skipper seats we both attached gear bags for carrying tackle and other gear. This is really handy storage space, which I used for lures, snacks and binoculars while on expedition, and will likely continue to use that way.