Deck chairs for TomCat

[tparrent]

Any suggestions for cockpit chairs for a TomCat?

I've got a couple umbrella type folding chairs I can use but I figured some of you are a bit more stylish than I am and have also found the sweet spot between comfort and stowability.

My new boat has a great enclosure so I plan to spend a lot of time loafing in the cockpit even during a North Carolina winter.

[thataway]

The the large and float cockpit floor, it becomes a matter of choice. Both of us don't like the umbrella chair, so Have a non cushioned folding like a director's chair and Marie likes a card table type chair in plastic. There are chairs which cost $200+ and Chairs which cost less than $10.

To us it is what is most comfortable. If you want the super light or compact, probably REI is a good place to visit and try out the compact chairs. West Marine for the large and bulky. We have never owned one of those.

[gulfcoast john]

We have had two sets of the large bulky vinyl West Marine white vinyl chairs in both aluminum and stainless steel. They are very heavy but comfy and the surviving SS pair is on the back porch. Don’t be tempted.

We also like the HD directors chair with foldout table, even though together we are under the 350 lb limit.

https://www.amazon.com/EVER-ADVANCED-Aluminum-Folding-Directors/dp/B07N67PKMK/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=ever+advanced+heavy+duty+folding+short+director%27s+chair+w%2Fside+table&qid=1606595270&sr=8-1

Over the past 8 years cruising, Eileen places a large HD plastic shower curtain over the berth cushions with the sheets and pillows enclosed in a large canvas bag. While underway, the chairs, folding small table, 50ft SmartPlug shorepower cord, rear transom seat cushion, Phifertex enclosure etc etc gets stashed in the V berth without getting the cushions or bedding wet or dirty.

Splash and rainwater prefers to enter the fishboxes rather than the corner scuppers (a TC255 issue first complained about in ancient hieroglyphics on cave walls). Fine for fenders, stern anchor and line, engine flush hoses etc. If you NEVER put fish in there you can disconnect the drain line at the macerator pump so fishbox water drains into the bilge to be automatically removed by the bilge pumps. Otherwise it can’t get past the macerator pumps until they are turned on.

I added an 8 inch, two bolt Schafer cleat on both sides vertically in the forward portion of the cockpit to better secure the forward and aft bollard lines when locking. Access by removing the gunnel insert and position them so the fishbox lids stay up when opened.

I’d advise adding a 12” SS handrail through the roof overhang using fender washers (no core and no leaking) over the deck water fill (port) and pump-out (starboard). One day there will be no finger pier on the side you need one. We also added one at each aft corner and over the aft door.

You can’t see the trailer stops when loading. I made a removable ½” PVC pipe indicator with red tape marking where I need the bow railing to kiss that pipe. Even with EarTechs, visual cues beat verbal ones.

On many if not most ramps the boat will slide back a few inches after pulling out and you can’t winch it forward. At less than walking speed when level, stomp the brakes to slide her forward. This won’t work on gravel or with the transom straps secured.

Now you need an album, some pics to post, and a marina reservation in the Keys!

Cheers!

John

[thataway]

John forgot the obligatory Deckadence in the cockpit for a rug, and in the 255 you have to use the expensive stuff below. Us lowly 25 owners get by with the cheaper vinyl loop pool mats from American Floor coverings.

[Discovery]

ON Discovery we have used GCI folding chairs for the last 15 years. The sewing finally gave out on one chair when we were on the Trent Severn Canal in 2017. Dixie borrowed a needle and sailmaker thread from another boater and fixed that one. The second chair came apart in the same seam at Lake Powell this year.

I can't find the exact chairs that we have , but this one is close. They fold up flat and we tied them in the aft port corner of the cockpit. If we hadn't sold Discovery, I would be buying two new chairs. Two chairs fold to be no more than 4" thick tied together.

Get chairs with aluminum frames, no rusty steel.

The GCI chairs seem to be sold out,but the chairs Gulfcoast John listed are very similar.

https://www.gcioutdoor.com/directors-chairs/pico-arm-chair-telescoping-directors-chair/?attribute_pa_colors=indigo&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl6GesNKm7QIV0iCtBh14ywbTEAQYASABEgKBU_D_BwE

[olekils]

I just bought one of these high pressure inflatable chairs to use on our Tomcat, they are decently comfortable and pack down very efficiently. Since we have a high pressure dingy, we already have the pump situation figured out:

https://www.boteboard.com/collections/inflatable-seating/products/inflatable-aero-chair?variant=34093038895243

[cmetzenberg]

I have two camping chairs i bought at costco and put cane tips on the legs. they work great. cheap and low stowage factor.

[Wandering Sagebrush]