Inflatable Boat Chairs from Further Customs
The layout of a boat is often perfectly designed to facilitate the type of activities for which the model is intended. Sailboat cockpits are either sheltered with high coamings for open ocean or wide open to facilitate racing crew. A motor trawler may feature a spacious foredeck that needs to be clear when underway but can be an area to enjoy sunsets at anchor, while a speedy sport fishing boat leaves the cockpit open so you have room to cast and fish. Regardless of what kind of boat you may be aboard, the simple fact is that having an extra place to sit down often comes in handy. Ideally, you could snap your finger and a few seats would appear to facilitate that summertime dinner aboard or those long hours waiting for the fish to bite.
Enter inflatable boat chairs from Further Customs, a California-based company that specializes in high quality inflatable products. In addition to stand-up paddleboards, floating platforms and an inflatable catamaran-style dinghy, Further Customs sells a line of affordable inflatable chairs designed specifically for aquatic use. The two models—the Inflatable Skipper Seat and Inflatable Captains Chair—are built to be lightweight and durable while providing stable and comfortable support in any marine setting.
The nine-pound Skipper Seat is the more compact model without armrests and a medium backrest. The lower posture increases stability to make it an ideal seat for boats with less available space. It can also be placed on stand-up paddleboards up to 32” wide allowing you to row while seated or to just hang out, relax and float. The 12-pound Captains Chair is beefier with a more elevated profile and armrests like a proper lounge chair. This larger chair can fit on stand-up paddleboards up to 36” wide. It would also be ideal for adding deck chairs on larger powerboats or providing cockpit seating on those fish boats when docked. You can also float it ashore for some reading or napping on the beach. Both models feature EVA Kraken TractionTM padding that acts as cushioning, cools the chair during direct sunlight exposure, and is non-slip when wet.
On the base of the chair a reinforced section allows them to be used on hard surfaces and keeps them from sliding on your deck. The chairs features large neoprene pockets which can hold drinks, phones, or other small items. There are also cloth loops to clip a carabiner with your keys. Cleat Connect™ is a durable pad with a Dring that allows you to stake down the chair on a beach or tie it to a dock or boat cleat. Further sells elastic dock lines for the chairs or use your own. Chairs can be inflated quickly with standard manual or auto inflators and can be purchased individually chair only, or in two packs with a pump and carrying backpack.
Naturally, the cherry on top is that they quickly deflate and can be stored in a lazarette, under a settee, or in a dock box when not needed. The larger model, the Captains Chair, is a mere 24” x 22” x 4.5” when deflated. It’s easy to imagine a few of these joining a trawling family’s extended cruise, making appearances while underway during calm passages and while relaxing between activities at a destination. If you regularly find yourself in need of an extra seat or two while boating, a Skippers Seat or Captains Chair from Further Customs may be in your future this summer.
These durable stowable non-rusting chairs should last for many years. The Skipper’s Seat is $225 ($399/pair w handpump + backpack) the Captains Chair costs $249 ($449/pair w handpump + backpack). You can get more information on Further Custom chairs, products and accessories as well as order them online at: https://www.furthercustoms.com/collections/chairs
