2015 Hobie Vantage Seat and Big Guys

Wondering if any big guys have had a chance to try the new Hobie Vantage seat.  I was really excited to try it out, but after a long time in the kayak fishing my legs were hurting a bit from pressing against the spot where the front of the seat clips onto the plastic bar, the large black squares on each side. They are the anchor point for raising and lowering the seat.  I can probably get a better picture, but you can sort of see it here:



Comparing the old to the new in this picture, it looks like the seat area is smaller due to the vantage seat design. 



I absolutely *LOVED* the back support, and my back hadn't felt that good after fishing in a long time.  And when peddling around it was great too!  A little bit tipsy with the added height, but you get used to it.  Not sure what the High position would be like,probably really tipsy, but will try it next time.

Have you tried shortening you leg stroke? 

It's not when peddling around, that is just fine.  It's while i'm fishing, or doing whatever, my legs brace against the sides and those things cut into my leg a bit.  Didn't hurt at all at first, but after a few hours of my legs pressing against them, it kinda dug in. 

I don't ever plan on fishing from the higher seat heights either. Looked at the Black Squares and it doesn't seem to difficult to remove and trim the plastic off on three sides leaving just the support part of the bracket where it's connected to the hull.

It took me took 2 trips to get used to the new seat.  I haven't changed the adjustments since I can remember.

I had to adjust the pedal position closer to me.  Center of gravity is very good. 

Here's a video of the opening day at GS9.  I wind blew hard in the morning.  Note*  I screwed up by saying "Timber Cove"  should have said Shelter Cove.

It's not when peddling around, that is just fine.  It's while i'm fishing, or doing whatever, my legs brace against the sides and those things cut into my leg a bit.  Didn't hurt at all at first, but after a few hours of my legs pressing against them, it kinda dug in.

So you are talking about the sides of your legs, not the bottom part that comes in contact with the edge of the seat.  Apparently I have a narrower beam so my legs don't make contact with the black tabs on the sides of the seat.  Would padded biking shorts provide enough protection?

I don't ever plan on fishing from the higher seat heights either. Looked at the Black Squares and it doesn't seem to difficult to remove and trim the plastic off on three sides leaving just the support part of the bracket where it's connected to the hull.

That's what I was thinking and hoping for as well!  May try the high seat position on a flat lake, but really was just looking for better back support and less water in the seat.  Removing the black support thing or modifying it would do the trick!

It's not when peddling around, that is just fine.  It's while i'm fishing, or doing whatever, my legs brace against the sides and those things cut into my leg a bit.  Didn't hurt at all at first, but after a few hours of my legs pressing against them, it kinda dug in.

So you are talking about the sides of your legs, not the bottom part that comes in contact with the edge of the seat.  Apparently I have a narrower beam so my legs don't make contact with the black tabs on the sides of the seat.  Would padded biking shorts provide enough protection?

Yes, that was my first idea was to cover it with some padding and see if it felt better.  Might be that wearing a wetsuit would be enough padding as well, compared to swim trunks haha.

I read someone was using their old seat pad on top of the Vantage seat for added cush.  I don't have enough time on mine yet to know if thats going to be an issue for me.

Al you are right on the money!  I've had my Revo since Feb. and that has been my one complaint.  I didn't think it was so much with the adjustment bracket, but more with the plastic guards at the front of the seat and the bungies that adjust the seat back.  They seem to dig into the side of my thighs more than the standard seat straps from an older seat.  Probably because the straps are wider than the new bungies.  You might be onto something with the adjustment brackets though.  I will have to pay more attention to it.

The trade off is your ass feels much better with the new seat. 

I haven't noticed it as much lately.  I must be losing weight!   

Here are two up close pics of the mount for the front of the vantage seat.  Those mounts are what i'm talking about making my legs uncomfortable while fishing because I end up bracing my legs against them.

The New seat is worth every penny. I love my Vantage seat

I must say that I do love the seat as well. My back never felt better after a day of fishing.  I may get out this weekend to try it again, this time with some padding!

Here is the area I was talking about.  What model are you using?  Is that the new Outback?  Mine is the Revo.  I wonder if the braces are taller on the Outback than on the Revo or the seat rides lower on the Outback making the braces more exposed?

move the seat up to get above the seat mount