ODC420 inflatable seat conversion

[pontoonman]

Those that have ODC420's can convert to inflatable seat with the kit from Creek Co:

http://creekcompany.com/product.php?prod...251&page=1

But it costs $60 with shipping.

I used a very rugged camping air mattress from Amazon to do the same for $25. It is a little time consuming to set up the first time because of the 6 chambers, but can be left set up under high pressure. There is plenty of backup should one of the chambers be punctured and leak.

http://www.amazon.com/Stansport-Backpack...86-3357469

First each chamber is partially inflated (1/3) with a hand pump. Then the end away from the valves is stuffed into the seatback. Next the mattress is stuffed DOUBLE into the seat bottom so that the valve nipples are exposed and UPRIGHT in the area behind the seat. Then the 2 straps connecting the seat are fastened. Next, the 2 innermost chambers are filled to high pressure, then the 2 outermost chambers. Finally all the remaining chambers are filled to high pressure. The seat will be firm and give better support than the original foam or the Creek Co bladders when done. The seatback will move slightly toward the point of the tube, but can be adjusted with the side straps. Because of the bend in the mattress taking some slack pressure at the seat bottom and the high quality material, the seat can be left with a fairly high pressure available by hand raft pump.

Hope this is of interest.

Pon
[signature]

[cpierce]

Nice job! I had thought about doing that myself to my Fish Cat, but I hadn't gotten around to looking for a air mattress of the right size. I would like to be able to fold it up smaller for some trips. I may have to try it yet.

Any pictures?
[signature]

[cpierce]

Out of curiosity I got around to trying out the air mat in the seat. Unfortunately, I have to say that I did not like it at all. It would work in an emergency, if for some reason you spring a leak in your air seat while on vacation. I found it to be usable but very uncomfortable. It was lumpy and slanted me forward on the bottom. It was also hard to inflate.
For me it wouldn't work. I would like the inflatable seat for the convenience of packing smaller in a vehicle. This is way too hard to inflate and deflate like I would need for traveling.
Sorry, but thanks for posting it.
Maybe the idea will help someone out who has different wants and needs. Also maybe it is a difference in the size between an ODC420 and a Fish Cat 4, which is what I have.
[signature]

[pontoonman]

Hi, cp, sorry it didn't work.

Pon
Comments below:


[quote cpierce]Out of curiosity I got around to trying out the air mat in the seat. Unfortunately, I have to say that I did not like it at all. It would work in an emergency, if for some reason you spring a leak in your air seat while on vacation. I found it to be usable but very uncomfortable.
It was lumpy and slanted me forward on the bottom. It was also hard to inflate.
Did you use the Amazon 6 separate tube mattress? Yes, it is time consuming to inflate as indicated in the directions I gave. I have a powerful electric pump that does all the time consuming stuff, so I only have to top off by hand pump. I also have adapters to use a car tire as a pressure tank if need be. I don't think any normal heavy duty air mattress will work at all because you cannot inflate to high pressure. Also a single valve air mattress may be faster to inflate, but will not be stiff enough and will just move air around from one tube to another when you sit or move around. The mattress is doubled thickness on the bottom seat and did not sag, but I also use a foot crossbar for keeping my feet out of water and a1.5 inch closed cell cushion to keep my butt out of water also. You can control your pitch forward to some degree by adjusting the air pressure on the middle tubes. It is far more comfortable than the solid FOAM inserts on the ODC420 and at least the same if not better than the bladders for me. I have some back issues and have to use a lumbar support with any float tube if I will be out all day, so maybe the lumbar support makes things better.

For me it wouldn't work. I would like the inflatable seat for the convenience of packing smaller in a vehicle. This is way too hard to inflate and deflate like I would need for traveling. Yes, I can see its not for everybody, thanks for your comments. I leave the seat pressurized and set up on my tube, and my wifes uses the regular bladders because it is not used as much. I don't have a Fish Cat 4 to try it out on, but it may not work if the seat compartment is bigger or wider.
Sorry, but thanks for posting it.
Maybe the idea will help someone out who has different wants and needs. Also maybe it is a difference in the size between an ODC420 and a Fish Cat 4, which is what I have.[/quote]
[signature]

[cpierce]

I should have mentioned that, yes, the air mattress is a Stansport Backpacker 6 individual air chambers. I had one already. It just doesn't work for what I had in mind.
[signature]

[pontoonman]

Well, I took out the ODC420 with air mattress seat for the 5th time yesterday. Sprung a leak at the seams in one of the air mattress tubes while on the water. Good news was that the remaining 5 tubes held me up easily for the remainder of the trip. Bad news was that the leak was unrepairable from the outside, being at the seam. So I squirted a couple of tablespoons of green "slime" (used to seal bike tubes) into the air mattress tube and tilted the tube to the section where the leak was. So far that has solved the leak problem overnight, so I did the same for the remaining tubes, as a precautionary measure. The seams themselves seem to be holding solid under high pressure, just some tiny pinhole leaks had developed. Just saying, in case someone else might be thinking of trying this mod.
The closed cell seat cushion and lumbar support really help with comfort is what I noticed when compared to lack of.

One other thing I noticed is the energy required to propel the ODC420 is much higher compared to my pontoons. Even with my feet out of water, the speed was slower and range about 50% using a troll motor, compared to even my slowest pontoon.

Hope this helps.

Pon
[signature]