My back was broken about 15 yrs ago in a martial arts tournament, I used to be 5'9", now I'm 5'6", and have chronic severe back issues (not much can be done). My hip and most of my joints are also totally shot from doing way too much martial arts from the age of 15 till I was over 45 (who knew ( lol)).
One of the few things I can do is pedal my Hobie, which I try to do as my exercise program, for the longest time I tried to peddle 10-15 miles weekly (year round), however under doctors orders have had to back off from that (currently around 15 miles every three weeks).
I have an older 2012 TI currently with the standard seat (modified from stock a little). I find with just the standard seat the padding is too thin and becomes quite uncomfortable after an hour or so. I added about 1.5" thick latex foam padding under my seat for two reasons. First to pad my behind a little better making it more comfortable, and second to raise my behind out of the normal water pool nearly always at the base of the seat.
Here is my seat setup, I basically cut up an old pool float, put it into a lobster bag, then cinched up the lobster bag (like a laundry bag), and that's been on my boat for 3-4 yrs now with no issues of any kind, (simple and easy to do).
I always carry area navigation maps just in case my GPS fails (especially in the vast keys), and incorporated a nice map pocket under each seat for my waterproof maps.
I find sitting as low as possible is most comfortable for me and feel sitting any higher than I do currently would be less comfortable for me. I also like sitting upright rather than reclined, with the seat straps tied off so the seat doesn't slip back (becoming extremely uncomfortable for me, when the seat reclines (kinda sneaks up on you)). I like having my lower back supported like I'm sitting in a deep bucket seat as the boat rocks back and forth in the waves. Actually I try to only go out in very flat water whenever possible, as the rocking motion just kills my back. I can no longer ride in powerboats anymore because of the pounding as they go over waves (sucks to be me (lol)).
Because the newer seats have a flat back (rather than a bucket), and you also look to sit much higher, I'm fairly sure the newer style seats would be much less comfortable in my particular situation. I suppose I could strap myself to the seat back, but that might be dangerous (thinking of the movie Moby Dick (lol)).
I'm not unhappy with my current setup, and hope to continue as long as my current boat lasts with no current plans to upgrade to the newer seat design at this time.
All just my opinion.
FE
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