GB2401539A - Portable seat for a boat - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable seat 100 which can be mounted to a boat 200 comprises a seat base 110, for supporting a person, which is attached to a support 130, wherein the support 130 comprises a mounting means 150 arranged, in use, to mount the seat 100 to the boat 200, and one or more legs 140 arranged, in use, to abut the deck 210 of the boat 200, such that the support 130 holds the seat base 110 in a desired position and such that an angler can be provided with an elevated seating position in a boat 200 from which to fish. A method of installing the seat is also disclosed. Preferably the support 130 includes an article holder 170.

Description

PORTABLE SEAT

The present invention relates to a portable seat, particularly, although not exclusively, to a portable angling seat for a boat arranged to be employed by an angler when fly fishing.

If an angler wishes to fish, particularly if they wish to fly fish, they may wade into a body of water to be fished, for example a still body of water such as a lake or reservoir. However, anglers often prefer to employ a boat to give them the option of fishing areas further from the shore and to allow them to fish deeper waters. When fly fishing from a boat an angler needs to sit down to cast and fish. However, the seats provided in boats employed by anglers, which are typically small craft such as rowing boats, are generally too low for casting and fishing. In addition, the seats are generally positioned too close to one another for two anglers to fish together.

Various attempts have been made to address this problem by providing an additional angling seat which can be mounted to a boat. One known construction provides a seat comprising a back rest and a seat base, rotatably attached to a mounting arranged to be clamped to an existing seat in the boat so that an angler may sit, upon the seat base, at an elevated height. However, a boat may not have a suitable existing seat to which the additional seat can be clamped or it may not be desirable to take an existing seat of the boat out of action. In either case it is then necessary for the angler to carry an additional plank to straddle the gunners of the boat and to which the additional seat can be mounted.

An alternative known construction provides a telescoping support arranged to telescope out and fit across the gunners of the boat. The support carries a seat base and a back rest. However if an angler wishes to use the backrest they can only sit on the seat facing in one direction. In addition, an angler must sit with his legs open to straddle the support and when fishing all day this can be uncomfortable.

Accordingly, the present invention aims to address at least one disadvantage associated with known portable angling seats whether discussed herein or otherwise.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable seat which can be mounted to a boat wherein the seat comprises a seat base, for supporting a person, attached to a support, the support comprising a mounting means arranged, in use, to mount the seat to the boat, and one or more legs arranged, in use, to abut the floor of the boat, such that the support holds the seat base in a desired position and such that an angler can be provided with an elevated seating position in a boat from which to fish.

Preferably, the seat is movable between a first, in use, configuration and a second, transportation, configuration.

Preferably, the seat can be employed by an angler for fly fishing.

Suitably, the seat base comprises a support surface arranged to be sat upon by a person using the seat.

Suitably, the support surface comprises a substantially planar portion arranged to be sat upon. The support surface may comprise a padded material, for example a foam material. Suitably, said planar portion is arranged to lie in a substantially horizontal plane in use.

Preferably, the seat comprises a back rest. Suitably, the back rest is mounted to the seat base. Suitably, the back rest comprises a support surface arranged to abut the back of a person using the seat. Suitably, the support surface comprises a substantially planar portion arranged to be rested against. The support surface may comprise a padded material, for example a foam material. Suitably, said planar portion is arranged to lie in a substantially vertical plane in use. Suitably, the support surface of the backrest is arranged, in use, to lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the support surface of the seat base.

Suitably, the back rest is arranged such that the position thereof relative to the seat base may be adjusted.

Preferably, the back rest is arranged to move between a first, in use, position in which it is arranged to support the back of a user, and a second, transport, position.

Suitably, the back rest may be arranged to pivot relative to the seat base such that it can move between said first and second positions. Suitably, the seat comprises a fixing means arranged to secure the back rest in position relative to the seat base. Suitably, the fixing means comprises a clamp. The clamp may comprise a threaded bolt having an enlarged head forming a hand wheel. Suitably, the clamp comprises a nut arranged to engage the bolt.

The bolt is suitably arranged such that it can be turned by hand by a user to move between a position in which it allows movement of the backrest and a position in which it secures the back rest in position. Suitably, the back rest is secured in position by a clamping action.

Suitably, in the second, transport, position the support surface of the back rest is arranged to lie in a plane substantially parallel to a plane in which the support surface of the seat base lies. Suitably, the support surface of the back rest is arranged to be opposed to the support surface of the seat base when in the transport position. Suitably, the support surface of the back rest is arranged to abut the support surface of the seat base when in the transport position.

Suitably, the seat base is arranged to be rotatably attached to the support. The seat base may thus be arranged to swivel relative to the support. Suitably, in use, the axis of rotation is arranged to lie in a substantially vertical orientation. Suitably, the seat base is arranged to rotate through at least 90 degrees, preferably at least 180 degrees, more preferably at least 360 degrees. The seat may thus allow an angler to face any direction whilst sitting in the seat after it has been mounted to a boat.

Preferably, the support comprises a frame to which the mounting means and the or each leg are attached.

Suitably, the seat comprises two legs. Suitably, the seat comprises no more than two legs. Suitably, the seat base is mounted to the frame of the support. Suitably the frame has a front side at or near which the or each leg is attached and a rear side at or near which the mounting means is attached. Suitably, said front and rear sides of the frame are opposed.

Suitably, the frame comprises first and second opposed side members and a third side member interposed therebetween. Suitably, the seat comprises a first leg attached to the first side member at a first end thereof.

Suitably, said first end of the first side member is arranged to form a part of the front side of the frame.

Suitably, the seat comprises a second leg attached to the second side member at a first end thereof. Suitably, said first end of the second side member is arranged to form a part of the front side of the frame. Suitably, the first and second side members each comprise second ends opposed to the first ends thereof and arranged to form a part of the rear side of the frame. Suitably, said second ends of the first and second side members form the rear side of the frame together with the third side member.

Suitably, the seat comprises two legs and said two legs may be joined by a cross member such that they are integral with one another. Suitably, the or each leg is attached to the frame such that it can move between a first, in use, position, and a second, transport position.

Suitably, the or each leg is pivotally mounted to the frame. The or each leg may thus be pivotable from a transport position to an in use position. Suitably, in the transport position the or each leg is arranged to be "folded away" and lie in a plane substantially parallel to that of the seat base. Suitably, in the in use position the or each leg is arranged to extend downwardly below the seat base. Suitably, the or each leg is pivotally mounted to the frame such that it is maintained in the first, in use, position, once positioned there by a user, without the need to employ additional fixing means. Suitably, the or each leg is arranged to move from the transport position to extend downwardly below the seat base when in the in use position such that it forms an angle of 90.1 degrees or more with the plane of the seat base. Thus, when a weight is applied to the seat it may act upon the or each leg such that it tends to drive it towards its in use position rather than back towards its transport position.

Suitably, the or each leg comprises an elongate member having a first end arranged, in use, to abut the floor of a boat and a second end attached to a frame of the support.

Suitably, the second end comprises attachment means comprising a member extending substantially perpendicular to the major dimension of the or each leg and pivotally attached to the frame. The pivot may thus be offset from the major dimension of the leg. The pivot may thus be positioned such that when a person sits on the seat their weight is transferred via the leg to the floor of the boat without tending to cause the leg to move between its first and second positions. The pivot may consequently also be positioned such that in the second, transportation position, the leg may lie in a plane substantially parallel to that in which the frame, seat base and back rest lie.

Suitably, the second end of the or each leg comprises a substantially "U" shaped channel arranged to fit around a part of the frame. Suitably, the base of the channel is arranged to abut the frame when in the in use position such that a load applied to the seat can be transferred to the leg from the frame. Suitably the attachment means comprises an extension to the side members of the "U" shaped channel such that said side members protrude substantially at right angles to the major dimension of the leg.

Suitably, the first end of the or each leg comprises a foot arranged, in use, to abut the floor of a boat.

Suitably, the foot is arranged to avoid an excessive portion of the weight of the seat and a user thereof from being applied to any part of the boat floor. Suitably, the foot comprises a member having a surface area of at least 2500mm2, more preferably of between 5000mm2 and 8000mm2 arranged to abut the floor (deck) of the boat.

Preferably, the foot comprises a circular member arranged to abut the floor (deck) of the boat. Preferably, the circular member has a diameter of between 90 and lOOmm.

Suitably, the or each leg is arranged such that the length thereof can be adjusted. Suitably, the or each leg comprises a telescopic leg. Preferably the or each leg comprises a first telescoping portion comprising the first end of the leg and a second telescoping portion comprising the second end of the leg. The first telescoping portion may comprise a portion arranged to fit within the second telescoping portion. Preferably the telescoping portions are arranged such that a user can set the leg to the desired length and then releasably secure it at that length. Suitably, the first telescoping portion comprises at least one aperture arranged to receive a securing pin.

Suitably the second telescoping portion comprises a plurality of apertures arranged such that one thereof can be aligned with an aperture in the first telescoping portion and a securing pin passed there through to fix the position of the first and second telescoping portions relative to one another. A user may thus determine the length of the leg. When it is desired to transport the seat the or each leg can be arranged by a user to have its shortest configuration.

Suitably, the mounting means is arranged to engage a free edge of a part of a boat. Suitably, the mounting means is arranged to clamp around a free edge of a part of a boat.

Suitably, said free edge of the boat comprises the termination of an upwardly extending part of the boat.

Preferably, the mounting means is arranged to engage the gunners or transom of a boat. The seat may thus be arranged to be mounted to the gunners or transom of a boat. Suitably, the mounting means is arranged such that it can engage the gunners of a boat, alternatively, or preferably in addition, the mounting means may be arranged such that it can engage the transom of a boat.

Preferably, the mounting means comprises at least one clamp arranged, in use, to engage a part of a boat.

Preferably, the mounting means comprises two clamps arranged to engage parts of a boat.

Suitably, the or each clamp comprises first and second clamping members moveable relative to one another.

Preferably, the clamping members are arranged, in use, to engage upwardly extending faces of a part of a boat.

Preferably, the first clamping member is fixed in position l relative to the frame of the support. Preferably, the second clamping member is moveable relative to the first clamping member and to the frame of the support.

Preferably, the second clamping member is slideably moveable relative to the first clamping member such that it can be slid towards and away from the first clamp as desired by a user.

Preferably the first clamping member is arranged to abut either the inside or the outside face of the boat and the second clamping member is arranged to abut the other such that a part of the boat can be clamped there between.

Preferably the second clamping member is arranged to abut the outside face of the boat and the first clamping member is arranged to abut the inside face of the boat.

Suitably, the clamp may be arranged to clamp around the gunners or transom of a boat.

Suitably the first clamping member comprises an arm extending from the frame of the support, said arm being arranged, in use, to abut a part of the boat. Suitably, the arm is fixedly secured to the frame and may be integral there with. Suitably, the arm has a length of between 60 and lOOmm.

Suitably, the second clamping member comprises a slider arranged to slide upon the frame and an arm extending from the slider arranged, in use, to abut a part of the boat.

Suitably, the arm has a length of between 60 and lOOmm.

Preferably, the slider comprises a threaded bolt having an enlarged head forming a hand wheel. Suitably, the bolt is arranged to allow a user to turn it by hand to move it between a first position in which it allows for movement of the slider and a second position in which it secures the slider in position. Preferably, the slider, frame and bolt are arranged such that tightening the bolt causes the slider and the bolt end to clamp the frame there between.

The seat may comprise one or more article holders arranged, in use, to hold one or more articles in position relative to the seat. The or each article holder may be mounted to the seat base. Suitably, the or each article holder is arranged to protrude beyond a side of the seat base. Suitably, the seat comprises two article holders.

Preferably, the seat comprises a maximum of two article holders.

Suitably, the seat comprises a first article holder which comprises an accessory tray holder arranged to hold an accessory tray in position relative to the seat.

Suitably, the accessory tray holder comprises an arm which extends from the seat base in a substantially horizontal plane when the seat is in use. Suitably, the accessory tray holder comprises a prong extending from the arm in a plane substantially perpendicular thereto. Suitably, the prong is arranged to extend in a substantially vertical plane when the seat is in use. Suitably, the prong is arranged to engage an aperture in an accessory tray to retain it in position relative to the seat.

Suitably, the seat comprises a second article holder which comprises a line tray holder which is arranged to hold a line tray in position relative to the seat. Suitably, a line tray comprises a shallow bowl which an angler can strip line back into. Suitably, the line tray holder comprises an "L" shaped arm which extends from the seat base in a substantially horizontal plane, when the seat is in use, and then bends upwards. Suitably, the arm is arranged so that a line tray can be slid onto the arm and retained in position relative to the seat by a friction fit between the arm and tray.

Suitably, the support comprises aluminium and/or mild steel. Suitably, the seat base and back rest each comprise a wooden base covered with padded foam which is upholstered.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a boat having a seat according to the first aspect installed therein.

Suitably, the boat comprises a craft having a length of no more than 5 metres, preferably no more than 3 metres.

Suitably, the boat comprises a craft having a width of no more than 2.5 metres, preferably no more than 1.5 metres.

The boat may comprise a rowing boat. Alternatively the boat may comprise a small motor boat, for example a boat having an outboard motor.

Suitably, the seat is mounted to a free edge of a part of the boat. Suitably, the mounting means clamps around a free edge of a part of the boat. Suitably, said free edge of the boat comprises the termination of an upwardly extending part of the boat.

The seat may be mounted to a side edge of the boat. The seat may be mounted to the transom of the boat.

Alternatively, the seat may be mounted to a port or starboard part of the boats gunners. The seat may thus be secured relative to the gunners or transom of the boat.

Suitably, the seat is installed in the boat such that the mounting means engages a free edge of a part of the boat and the legs extend below the seat base to abut the floor (deck) of the boat. Suitably, the seat is mounted to the boat by mounting means located at a rear side of a frame of the seat. Suitably, the weight of the seat is supported by legs extending downwardly below the seat from a front side of a frame of the seat.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing a seat in a boat wherein the seat comprises a seat base, for supporting a person, attached to a support, the support comprising a mounting means and one or more legs and wherein the method comprises the steps of moving the seat to a first, in use, configuration from a second, transport configuration, removably mounting the seat to a part of the boat with the mounting means and arranging the seat such that the or each leg abuts the floor of the boat such that the support holds the seat base in a desired position and such that an angler can be provided with an elevated seating position in the boat from which to fish.

Preferably, the seat comprises a seat according to the first aspect.

Preferably, the method of installation comprises moving the or each leg to a first, in use, position from a second, transport position. Suitably, the or each leg has an adjustable length. Suitably, the method of installation comprises positioning and adjusting the or each leg such that it abuts the floor (deck) of the boat.

Suitably, the seat comprises a back rest. Suitably, the method of installation comprises moving the back rest to a first, in use, position from a second, transport, position.

Suitably, the method of installation comprises locating the mounting means such that it engages a free edge of an upwardly extending part of the boat. Suitably, the mounting means is located such that it engages the gunners or transom of a boat.

Suitably, the seat comprises mounting means comprising one or more clamps. Suitably, the method of installation comprises adjusting the position of the or each clamp such that a free edge of a part of the boat is clamped there between and the seat is thus held in position relative to the boat.

Suitably, the method of installation comprises positioning the or each leg of the seat in a position in which it extends downwardly below the seat base. Suitably, the method of installation comprises locating the seat within a boat such that the mounting means engages a free edge of an upwardly extending part of the boat subsequent to positioning the legs to extend downwardly below the seat base. Suitably, the seat is releasably mounted to the boat by clamping a free edge of an upwardly extending part of the boat with the mounting means.

Suitably, once the seat is mounted in position the length of the or each leg is adjusted such that it abuts the floor and can support a portion of the weight of the seat and a person using the seat. Suitably, the seat is constructed such that once the or each leg is positioned to extend downwardly below the seat base and is set to length it automatically remains in a downwardly extending position until such time as a user wishes to remove the seat from the boat.

Suitably, once the seat is mounted in position and the legs have been set to length the backrest may be moved to it's in use position.

Suitably, the seat may be removed from the boat by reversing the processes described above.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seat according to the present invention installed in a boat; Figure 2 is an alternative perspective view of the seat of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the seat of Figure 1 installed in an alternative position in a boat; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the seat of Figure 1 in a transport configuration; Figure 5 is a close up perspective view of a clamp of the seat of Figure It Figure 6 is a close up perspective view of a leg adjustment means of the seat of Figure It and Figure 7 is a close up view of a leg attachment and seat base pivot of the seat of Figure 1.

As best illustrated by Figures 1-3 a seat 100 arranged to be mounted to a boat 200 comprises a seat base 110, a back rest 120 and a support 130. The support 130 comprises legs 140 arranged to abut the deck 210 of the boat 200 and mounting means 150 arranged to mount the seat to an edge, such as the transom or gunners 220 of the boat 200.

The legs comprise feet 160 at a first end thereof which are arranged to reduce the pressure applied on the floor (deck) by the seat. Suitably, the legs are joined to one another by a cross member 165. Each leg 140 comprises first and second telescoping portions 141, 142 with the first being arranged to slide within the second such that the length of the leg 140 can be adjusted. As best illustrated by Figure 6, the second telescoping portion 142 comprises a plurality of apertures 143 arranged to receive a securing pin 144 which passes through an aperture in the first telescoping portion 141 (not shown) to releasably secure it in position relative thereto.

Each leg is moveable between a first in use position and a second transport position. The in use and transport configurations of the seat may best be understood with reference to Figures 1 and 4. As best illustrated by Figure 7, to allow the legs to move between the two configurations each is attached by a pivot 145 at its second end to a frame 131 of the support 130. The pivot is arranged such that when a weight is applied to the seat base 110 it locks the leg 140 in place.

The mounting means 150 comprises two pairs of first and second clamping members 151, 152 as best illustrated by Figure 5. The first of these comprises an arm 153 extending from and fixed in position relative to the support frame 131. The second comprises a slider 154 mounted upon the support frame 131 such that it can slide relative to the frame 131 and the first clamping member 151. Extending from the slider is an arm 155. The arms 153, 155 are arranged such that they can clamp an edge of a boat, such as the gunners of a boat there between. The slider comprises sliding portion 156 arranged to fit around the frame 131 and a threaded bolt having a hand wheel 157 arranged to be turned by hand. The bolt can be tightened to trap the frame between the sliding portion 156 and the bolt such that the slider and consequently the foot 155 of the second clamp 152 is releasably secured in position.

The back rest 120 is attached to the seat base 110 about a pivot so that it can rotate relative thereto. The back rest can thus be moved between a first in use position (Figures 1 to 3) and a second transport position (Figure 4). The back rest comprises a back rest member 121 linked to the seat base 110 via a stem 122. The stem comprises a clamp 123 comprising a nut (not shown) and bolt having a hand wheel 124 and arranged to be turned by hand between a position in which it allows for rotation of the stem 121 1' and consequently the back rest 120 relative to the seat and a tightened position in which it prevents movement by a clamping action.

The seat base 110 is mounted to the support frame 131 about a pivot 111 such that it can rotate through 360 degrees relative thereto. The pivot may employ a nylon bearing plate or alternatively a roller bearing.

The seat further comprises an accessory tray holder 170 arranged to hold an accessory tray in position relative to the seat. The seat further comprises a line tray holder arranged to hold a line tray in position relative to the seat.

The seat 100 is arranged to be carried by a user when in a transport configuration (Figure 4) and to be converted to an in use configuration and installed in a boat 200 such that it can be sat upon by a user (Figures 1 to 3). This can be done by pivoting the legs 140 to their in use position and hooking the support frame 131 over the gunners of the boat such that the first clamping members 151 of the mounting means 150 abut an outer face of the boat 200 and the support frame 131 abuts the upper edge of the side or rear gunners of the boat 200. The second clamping members 152 can then be slid towards the first clamping members 151 to trap the edge of the boat there between. The clamps can then be releasably fixed in position to releasably mount the seat 100 to the boat 200.

The length of the legs 140 can be adjusted such that the feet 150 abut the deck of the boat such that the legs 140 and the feet 150 will bear part of the weight of the seat and a user sitting thereon in use. The back rest can then be moved to and secured in its in use position such that the seat is ready to be used.

When it is desired to remove the seat 100 from a boat the operations described above can be reversed and the seat returned to its transport configuration.

It will be readily understood that the seat construction described herein may advantageously provide a portable seat which is also very versatile and may be employed in a variety of configurations making it suitable for use in a variety of boats.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (23)

1. A portable seat which can be mounted to a boat wherein the seat comprises a seat base, for supporting a person, attached to a support, the support comprising a mounting means arranged, in use, to mount the seat to the boat, and one or more legs arranged, in use, to abut the floor of the boat, such that the support holds the seat base in a desired position and such that an angler can be provided 1C with an elevated seating position in a boat from which to fish.

2. A portable seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat is movable between a first, in use, configuration and a second, transportation, configuration.

3. A portable seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the seat comprises a back rest.

4. A portable seat according to claim 3, wherein the back rest is arranged to move between a first, in use, position in which it is arranged to support the back of a user, and a second, transport, position.

5. A portable seat according to claim 4, wherein the back rest is arranged to pivot relative to the seat base such that it can move between said first and second positions and the seat comprises a fixing means arranged to secure the back rest in position relative to the seat base.

6. A portable seat according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, in the second, transport, position a support surface of the back rest is arranged to lie in a plane substantially parallel to a plane in which a support surface of the seat base lies.

7. A portable seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the seat base is arranged to be rotatably attached to the support.

8. A portable seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the seat comprises two legs.

9. A portable seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the seat comprises no more than two legs.

10. A portable seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the support comprises a frame to which the mounting means and the or each leg are attached.

11. A portable seat according to claim 10, wherein the frame has a front side at or near which the or each leg is attached and a rear side at or near which the mounting means is attached.

12. A portable seat according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the or each leg is attached to the frame such that it can move between a first, in use, position, and a second, transport position.

13. A portable seat according to claim 12, wherein in the transport position the or each leg is arranged to be "folded away" and lie in a plane substantially parallel to that of the seat base.

14. A portable seat according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the or each leg is pivotally mounted to the frame such that it is maintained in the first, in use, position, once positioned there by a user, without the need to employ additional fixing means.

15. A portable seat according to claim 14, wherein the or each leg comprises an elongate member having a first end arranged, in use, to abut the floor of a boat and a second lo end attached to a frame of the support and the second end comprises attachment means comprising a member extending substantially perpendicular to the major dimension of the or each leg and pivotally attached to the frame.

16. A portable seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each leg is arranged such that the length thereof can be adjusted.

17. A portable seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the mounting means is arranged to engage a free edge of a part of a boat.

18. A portable seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the seat comprises one or more article holders arranged, in use, to hold one or more articles in position relative to the seat.

19. A portable seat substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A boat having a seat according to any preceding claim installed therein.

21. A boat according to claim 20, wherein the boat comprises a craft having a length of no more than 5 metres.

22. A method of installing a seat in a boat wherein the seat comprises a seat base, for supporting a person, attached to a support, the support comprising a mounting means and one or more legs and wherein the method comprises the steps of moving the seat to a first, in use, lo configuration from a second, transport configuration, removably mounting the seat to a part of the boat with the mounting means and arranging the seat such that the or each leg abuts the floor of the boat such that the support holds the seat base in a desired position and such that an angler can be provided with an elevated seating position in the boat from which to fish.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the seat comprises a seat according to any of claims 1 to 19.