looking to improve seat comfort on 2008 tarpon 120

[B. C. Ball, Jr]

I own a 2008 Tarpon 120 and recently bought a 2010 Tarpon 160. The Tarpon 160 seat is the Phase 3 seat, and it is way more comfortable than the older style seat on my T120 (hats off to Wilderness for designing a seat that comfortable). I'm so spoiled by the phase 3 seat that I really want to do something to improve the comfort of the seat on my older T120. I've read that trying to put a phase 3 seat on an older boat would take a great deal of modification and is really not very feasible. Can any of you folks offer suggestions about some modifications, add-ons, or perhaps replacement seats that would approach the comfort of the phase 3 seat?

[Michael Daugherty]

I have an older TARPON and found the seat bottom to be quite uncomfortable after several hours on the water. A simple solution is to buy some closed cell foam and cut it to fit the seat pan area then attach it to the kayak with contact cement. The blue foam camping pads work well and there's plenty to put down two layers for extra comfort.

My Tarpon is blue so it looks like it belongs there. It's been on mine for 5 years now and holding up well. Was going to put some on the back rest but found it to be fine without any padding. Many kayak shops sell grey Minicell foam which is a much better quality product so it would only take one layer to get the same effect. Campmor sells small sheets of Minicell also if there are no good kayak shops in your area.

[B. C. Ball, Jr]

Thanks, Micheal, for your response. The foam sounds like a fairly simple solution, and I'm going to give it a try!

[Wilson Mark Jr.]

i have 4 older tarpons, 3 120's and a 140.  i used an air cushion seat made for kayaks, but after a few years, i can't find them anymore.  all i can find are the cushions with one cell, alot thicker than what i had.  i ended up purchasing the wilderness systems seat pad, for older tarpons.  you'll need to drill holes and use the plastic pine tree fasteners to hold them in.  also some silicone or marine goop to keep the water out, but it works.  much easier than using the pads, because they stay attached and you can't forget to bring them.  also the padding works well, better than the air seat cushions that can move around when fishing.

[B. C. Ball, Jr]

Thanks for the response, Mark.  I'll look into the Wildy seat pad.

[Jack Maiese]

Have a 2010 Ride 135 and a Tarpon 160i.  Just bought a "Gone Fishin" high back seat from Auatin Kayak.

Have a bad back and need a high back seat for fishing in the West coast Fl. flats.  Have not decided which

kayak I will install the seat on as it depends which one I want to use for fishing.  Will document the installation

as I install the new seat.  Talked to the folks at ACK about the different seat type's and the features of each before

I purchased this seat. This seat has rod storage, bait box storage and a removable pack. All the fishing goodies.

Will let you know about the comfort after using it a few times. Till then - have fun.

[Andrew Simpson]

Before I had a Tarpon 140 with phase 3 seat, I always replaced my seats with aftermarket seats from surf to summit for example. I also use to attatch an extra back rest to the top of the seat with plastic clips and support it with bunge cords off the back. Now they have some really nice gel seats already with high backs. If I had it to do al over agin, I'd go with one of those. Some even have attatchments for a pouch with rod holders. I added a gel pad to my plase 3 and it works great for me.