Seat capacity changes in Pro Anglers

I finally scored a pro angler that I could afford...its newer, and has a vantage seat with the 350 lb capacity.

I've also seen older models with a non-elevated, hinged seat that seemed far sturdier compared to the cable and round tubing of the newer chair.

As a big guy (340) I'd rather not be that close to capacity in a situation that could result in me falling out of a kayak and drowning...

Is the seat of older models indeed sturdier? Is there a way to retrofit and new boat with an old seat to capitalize on said sturdiness?

Any info or advice here?

As I recall, the pre-Vantage seats were held in place by fittings that were molded into the deck. Two slip-beneath pins in the back and two threaded screws in the front. You would need to fabricate an "adapter" base with those fittings (or a permanent mount solution) to hold the old folding seat and then figure out a way to secure the base to the current Vantage seat mounts. It would be easier to just purchase a sturdy non-kayak seat from any marine supply and then adapt that to the Vantage mounting points.

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strong point...

Don't know how I could functionally adapt it without chopping parts from an existing venture seat though....

Hoping Hobie's people weigh in on the old school seat specs....

I don't recall Hobie specifying a weight capacity rating on the original PA-14 seat. They just rated the hull for a 600 pound maximum load.
The original PA-14 seat was much better than the other Mirage kayaks seats, but is inferior to the current Vantage seat.

With that said, I do know larger guys like yourself, with the old seats, sometimes suffered from seat failures and there were reports of the decking under the seat cracking.....bad news.

I suppose that if a "heavy weight guy", bought a pre 2013 PA-14, they could modify the seat area with a sheet of 3/4" thick marine plywood to spread the load over the deck.
And, maybe install some sturdy foam blocks inside the hull to add additional support like the present PA's have.

Hobie has done a good job to address issues that arose after the different models were released to the world......as I am sure you know, there will be one or more user problem crop up that was not foreseen by the design and engineering folks. Hobie's warranty is second to none and care about their customers.....this is my opinion based on being a Hobie customer since 2009 and a forum member.

Lastly, always wear a PFD and practice reentry over the stern of your PA. It's low and flat to the water making reentry much easier.

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR