hobie seat digs into my upper back

I've got a hobie adventure (no island, yet). My typical outing is 5 hours fishing, mostly slow trolling, with maybe 30 minutes to one hour of harder pedaling. So, basically, I pedal nonstop except for bathroom breaks (and if I could figure out how to pedal thru those, I probably would...).

I've got the iComfort inflatable seat bottom, which keeps my butt very comfy. My lower/mid back never gives me any trouble either. The only problem is at the very top of the seat, which digs into my upper back, and gets quite painful after a few hours. It doesn't matter how I angle the seat back---always the same problem.

I've tried using my "crack of dawn" seat instead of the stock seat. I even added seat pegs to keep the bottom from sliding out. That solves the upper back issue, but it creates another problem. That is, when I put pressure on the top of the seat (i.e., lean back too hard) the lower part of the seat back (not the bottom) gets bent forward. I have the rear straps attached, but they simply can't provide enough tension to prevent such buckling.

The bottom line (pun intended) is that I'd prefer to use the stock seat. I actually like it, except for this one annoying issue. Does anybody have any ideas for possible fixes? If not, any other recommendations? Thanks.

I switched to gts surf to summit seat. Fixed the back issue but not the ass issue. Bought the icomfort and solves everything. Feels a little high though.

I switched to gts surf to summit seat. Fixed the back issue but not the ass issue. Bought the icomfort and solves everything. Feels a little high though.

Yes, I've heard a lot of good things about that seat. But, the extra height would be an issue since the adventure is not the most stable of boats. Also, that's not a cheap seat.

Btw, did you attach the hobie seat plugs to your GTS seat, or do you just use the straps to hold it in place? On the adventure, I don't think straps alone will hold the seat bottom in place---at least it won't with the 2 conventional kayak seats I've got.

I use the 4 straps connection. I did buy the anchor kit for it, just haven't gotten to it yet. I think I may have to put extra layers of maybe strap materials to reinforce it. It'd be nice to keep it from shifting around.

What pfd are you wearing? I switched to the NRS Chinook this year and it really helped my posture.

What pfd are you wearing? I switched to the NRS Chinook this year and it really helped my posture.

I use the "Stohlquist Fisherman":
http://www.austinkayak.com/products/814/Stohlquist-Fisherman-High-Back-Life-Jacket-PFD.html

At first I thought it might be the pfd, but now I'm thinking that's not the problem. Although it is kinda weird that I don't see other people complaining about this with the Hobie seat, so maybe it's worth considering another pfd.

Hmm, the Stohlquist Fisherman is a great pfd too.  Do you have a shop or any other NCKA'ers nearby you might be able to try a few different ones out?

I have an extra Surf to Summit seat if you want to borrow it to see if that corrects your problem before buying one. I live near the Harbor. Let me know.

I have an extra Surf to Summit seat if you want to borrow it to see if that corrects your problem before buying one. I live near the Harbor. Let me know.

Thanks for the offer. I've got a couple other things I want to try first, but I might take you up on that if those things don't work out.

What about a small piece of small pool noddle just across the top of the seat.  I have a slider seat on my front porch with a piece of noodle on the top bar, (middle/upper back) position and I don't even notice it.  Just cut length wise thru one side and slip it over the top of the seat, should stay in place.

I have a Hobie Adventure with the same PFD you're using and I'm not having that problem with the stock seat.

Is it possible that you need more air in the seat back chamber? I think I have mine about 2/3rds full.




   

What about a small piece of small pool noddle just across the top of the seat.  I have a slider seat on my front porch with a piece of noodle on the top bar, (middle/upper back) position and I don't even notice it.  Just cut length wise thru one side and slip it over the top of the seat, should stay in place.

That's a good idea, and the price is right. I'll give that a try and let you know how it works out.

I have a Hobie Adventure with the same PFD you're using and I'm not having that problem with the stock seat.

Is it possible that you need more air in the seat back chamber? I think I have mine about 2/3rds full.
   

I've experimented with that, but it doesn't seem to be the key.

I think I'm either putting more pressure on the top of the seat than most people, or it could just be that my back is particularly sensitive in that specific area. Anyways, I'm going to try some extra padding and see if that'll solve the problem. I suspect that there's a simple fix out there, if I can just find it...

Try moving the pedals. A step closer or farther away can make a big difference in your posture. When I had a Hobie I would move the pedals on the water as my back would start to hurt.

Try moving the pedals. A step closer or farther away can make a big difference in your posture. When I had a Hobie I would move the pedals on the water as my back would start to hurt.

I set the pedals to 6, but move it to 7 (farthest setting) every once in a while, which is a nice change of pace. Actually, I wish the pedals had a continuous adjustment, since 6 is a little too close and 7 is too far---a setting of about 6.5 would be ideal.