rope seat material

[cully]

getting ready to go buy rope to re-do my rowers seat in my driftboat. What material of rope would be best. Nylon?

[Pete]

Nylon stretches - so it doesn't work well. (How do I know? Trust me, I know!) The downside to stuff that does work is it seems to be susceptible to UV induced rot. I don't know what works best.

[Two Fister]

Cully,
They sell a static nylon rope at bunch of shops that looks like a climbing rope. The woven cover helps to control the UV exposure problem and the tight weave keeps the rope from pinching in the summer. I really like it. Before that I had always used braided nylon and, like Pete said, it just keeps stretching.
TF

[hunt2much]

hey the static climbing rope sounds like a great idea...yes nylon just keeps on stretching...and poly just plain sucks

[Steelin Steel]

I have a question about those type of seats if you don't mind me asking. I just bought a driftboat and am wondering if the rope seats are comfrotable? Are they worth haveing or should I just go with a regular seat? Aslo, if I might add will they hold 350lbs? Thanks, if you could help me out.
Lance

[cully]

lancethefisher, Ive only rowed sitting on plywood and in the plastic swivel seat. Neither one of those options are very good especially the swivel seat. The seat does not let you dig in with the oars without the seat rocking some. Something you don't want to happen when you need oar power. You want to have your butt planted firmly. After a couple of seasons using the plastic seat I could see some stress creases in the plastic. I could tell that the seat was going to fail at some point and I did not want to be bearing down in an important rowing situation and have the seat bust on me. I removed it and I'm now rowing while sitting on the plywood board the seat was affixed to. Much better. I can really dig in with the oars without any unautral give/seat rocking. The back to the seat was never used while rowing because I set up closer to the front of the seat. It also just got in my way when trying to step over it to get to the back of the boat. I weigh 207. A 300 pounder would make the plastic fail pretty darn quick.

I've read that the rope seat keeps your butt firmly planted and is comfy (enough). Firmly planted is my key goal. Once again, I don't use the back to a rowers seat so I won't miss having one there when I convert to rope. I would think that a rope seat would be your best bet for streghth also. I've asked a lot of rowers and the ones that use rope swear buy it. A lot of guys like strap. I've read that some rowers legs get pinched in the strap, mostly the summer while wearing shorts. Congrats the boat and happy rowing.

[hunt2much]

I have a 2002 17' willie driftboat and i found that a low back tractor (riding mower) seat is awesome!.. same as clackacraft uses. No swivels of course. i found mine from northern tool and equipment...its black where clackacraft's are white. I matches my boat great too! plenty of support when " diggin in " is necc. I love it.. super comfy too and you'll never break it with it hard mounted to the rower's bench.

[Steelin Steel]

Hey, thanks you guys for the replys. I think I am going to go to a rope seat or a tractor seat. Right now I have a plastic seat, and just looking at it, I think I would end up busting it in one trip, so I have to change. Anways thanks a bunch!

[Two Fister]

They sell it at the big box home improvement stores as well as sporting goods stores. A 100' costs about the same price as a 100' of braided.
TF