SITTING PRETTY
With tenders becoming more powerful and owners wishing to visit seas in locations that are typically a little rougher than the Med, shock mitigation is more necessary than ever
T
he impacts occurring when hydroplaning boats slam on the waves, can cause severe and sometimes permanent injuries. The injuries are never anticipated
until they occur - just like any other accidents. Most ‘suspension seats’ offer vertical mitigation in the lower range of impacts forces.
Any boat ride can be enhanced if you can sit comfortably and feel safe even at speed, this is not just important for guests but for the crew who are riding in the tenders for extended periods of time.
Some suspension seats can also significantly reduce injury risks by mitigating the impact forces travelling into the human body. A well designed seat can also help to optimise posture for impact protection and comfort. Some seats, however, bottom-out under high level impacts. Bottoming-out can actually amplify the impacts by up to three times on the seated person compared to the hull impact.
The risk of injuries depends, not only on impact levels, but also on the direction of the impacts. The ability to maintain body posture and control balance, curvature of the spine and balance of the head while seated can also be paramount. Many injuries and the worst, are caused by high-level impacts and by impacts with lateral forces. Lateral impacts can also cause overboard ejections which can of course be lethal.
When choosing suspension seats, you need to consider the features that can help mitigate these potential injuries, as well as a robust track record for protective capacity, usability and durability.
This can be the most important decision you make for your boat. Ask people about their experiences of different seats and try out the seats in relevant conditions. If you are uncertain, make sure you can test the seats by borrowing or purchase with buy-back guarantee. This can save you a lot of trouble and costs by trying before buying.
34 | TENDERS & TOYS | ONBOARD POINTS TO CONSIDER IN THE BUYING PROCESS
• Type of suspension – single axis travel or vertical + lateral suspension?
• Range of impacts without bottoming out – what forces can the seat take?
• Sitting posture – can you sit with a neutral spine rather than a C-shape?
• Comfort – your seat should be comfortable at low speed as well as high speeds.
• Setup and Pre-flight operations – does the seat ‘just work’ or are you required to set it up or ‘pump’ it to a certain pressure before you can go?
• Maintenance – What kind of maintenance is required to keep the seat working?
• Warranty – What warranties do the manufacturers extend?
ULLMAN DYNAMICS Ullman Dynamics pioneered the suspension seat market for military high-speed boats. Thanks to their unique, progressive suspension technology, preventing seats from bottoming out while absorbing both lateral and vertical impacts, they are a leader in this market. Today Ullman see an increasing demand from the super-high-end tender boat market. As many tenders now get used for more adventurous transits, owners prioritise comfort and safety more than ever. Yacht owners are demanding custom designs and finishes, and Dr Johan Ullman, (who also invented Bluetooth(, should know - he coined the claim, “If it feels good, it most probably is”.
www.ullmandynamics.com
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