Seatbelts!

[Bucks45]

Need some feedback. I have a daughter that has cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is just a muscle disorder. She can't control her muscles the same that you or I can. I have a 23' Searay Sorrento with a 5.7, Alpha. I want to put a seatbelt in. It's more to keep her from sliding out of the seat than it is to keep her from getting thrown out of the boat. I have no intentions of doing more than putting around when she's with us. The boat has jump seats in the back. All they consist of is a flat seat that lays on top of two support boards, one on the dog house, and one on the hull. They aren't even fastened in. My thought was just to go to the local auto parts store, buy a lap belt, and screw it to the deck. Does anyone know of a better solution? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Seatbelts!

my thoughts are a fitted bucket seat..... or if she uses a wheelchair maybe clamps for it...... things can happen fast.... you might be putting but the jackass that slams into you might be doing 50

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Seatbelts!

what if you used velcro with a big loop or handle on it.... could she release herself that way?

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Seatbelts!

You might want to look at the racing world of high performance boating, They have harness that would go good with smokeonthewater idea of a fitted bucket seat that you could have made up and installed by a performance boat upholstery shop. Here are some links that have harness to hold her in.

http://tigerperformance.com/harnesses.asp

http://www.securityrace.com/driverequipment/harnesses.html

http://www.lifelinejackets.com/gear.cfm

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Seatbelts!

I think the velcro idea is a good one. Common auto seatbelts are ( I think ) only plated-steel, not stainless so in a wet environment that could be an issue.
Also, there was a thread on here last summer about how young kids were when we took them out the first time, which turned into a discussion about the use of carseats aboard, with differing opinions about that as well as having the kids strapped into the carseat.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=307254

Maybe it's not relevant, but your question made me think about the parallels.
Keep us posted
Good Luck

 

[bigb2008]

Re: Seatbelts!

Something like this might work for you :
http://www.safetmate.com/alarmed_velcro_seatbelt.htm

Bonus, it has an alarm, so in the event she pulls if off unintentionally, you'll be aware of it.

Here it is for sale :
http://www.shopmania.com/shopping~o...rs-alarmed-seat-belt-belt-only~p-6780869.html

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Seatbelts!

What a fantastic solution! ^^^^^^

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Seatbelts!

You might want to look at the racing world of high performance boating, They have harness that would go good with smokeonthewater idea of a fitted bucket seat that you could have made up and installed by a performance boat upholstery shop. Here are some links that have harness to hold her in.

http://tigerperformance.com/harnesses.asp

http://www.securityrace.com/driverequipment/harnesses.html

http://www.lifelinejackets.com/gear.cfm

Bucks45,
Since your in central Ohio, your in circle track racing country. You should be able to find a race shop that can also provide custom molded to fit seats and all the many different seatbelt harnesses to choose from.

 

[rbh]

Re: Seatbelts!

If she is going to need neck support as well, you may want to look at doing a temporary hard mounting of her chair as they should be desighned for stopping lateral movement.

 

[Bucks45]

Re: Seatbelts!

Alot of really good ideas and things I didn't think about. Bigb2008.....I like the velcro.

Rbh......she would be ok without the head/neck support. She's actually 21, about 5'7", and 105 lbs. She has some muscle control. For instance, she can sit up on her own, but is pushed over very easily. I would love to install a temporary mount in the boat for her chair, but seeing that it weighs about 225 lbs.(it's a power chair), I would need at least 3 of you to meet me at the ramp everytime to help lift.

I like the idea of the racing/5 point harness. My thought is where to mount the shoulder straps. The boat has a curved and upholstered piece that comes from the transom. I don't know that it's thick/strong enough to fasten to. I think I'll take a few pictures, post them, and then get your opinions again.

I really appreciate your help on this. My girl means the world to us. She doesn't get to do alot and loves being on the water. This is one of the biggest reasons I wanted to get a boat. We use to use a buddy's boat and he had a bench seat in the back. It was easy for my wife to just sit beside her.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Seatbelts!

I'm sure a Custom performance upholstery shop can make it work by Adding reinforcements or glassing in the areas needed to make everything strong and permanent for her.

Just pick a back corner, [I would pick the port side my self, So you can keep an eye on her easier if the helm is on the starboard side] And let them build a seat for her, Her being 21 at least you won't need to keep updating the size of the seat to adjust as she is growing up.

Good luck with it all.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Seatbelts!

That is what I love about this Forum. The ideas abound... and noone gives up on trying to assist.

I like the velco belt idea for a low cost option if it will work... The custom seat is another great option, however a bit more expensive I would guess. Either way, I hope you can get something figured out and keep her safe... Good luck...

 

[Nandy]

Re: Seatbelts!

My worried with any restraining device is the inability to free yourself while unconscious... After my boat accident this year I can tell you there is NO TIME TO REACT in many instances... What about some type of chair that she can lean back. Maybe her weight will hold her down. I know I would be too stressed out, but she will surely enjoy the trip. I have a disabled son so I kinda relate.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Seatbelts!

I also like the idea of velcro. I have a thought that maybe some bolsters may help keep her upright. You could have some made (or make yourself) of foam and cover with whatever material would work like vinyl. They could be either made with a flap to go under/around her so her weight would hold them in or velcro attachment. This would be easy in/out and not take a lot of boat modification and could even be transferd to another boat with little work and in the event of the unthinkable would not trap her in the boat.

Maybe even a vest of sorts that would double as a PFD.

In any case I love the idea that you are including her in your boating activities.
Let us know what you do and maybe send pictures so others may be inclined to include other people in similar situations.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Seatbelts!

I think I may have just come up with a winner.... kind of a combination of several ideas...... one thing that really bothers me about a seatbelt is rescue.... saying the unthinkable happens someone may have only 2 or 3 seconds under muddy water working blind and upside down to free her..... finding and operating a buckle could take way too long...... how about this you have a seat that you can easily monitor covered right over the existing vinyl with the soft part of velcro and you get a pfd that fits her comfortably... maybe an auto inflate modified with the other part of the velcro on the back .... makes for very secure seating for putting but in an emergency a good yank could free her in a fraction of a second
You could also attach bolsters as aboove this way

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Seatbelts!

After reading this, the first thing to that comes to mind is like mentioned above, is rescue in the event of sinking or capsize. A rescue swimmer isn't going to recognize the seat belt or how to release it. I like the Velcro idea but that too can be a problem to release if you don't know it's there.

Maybe a molded seat with a padded drop bar of sorts, something like those on an amusement ride. It would provide a forward rest, keep her seated, but not be so restrictive that someone couldn't pull her out without lifting the bar.

I have seen seat belts in some rigid inflatables so they do make a marine rated seat belt for a boat. Be careful if using a race car intended seat, many are not intended to be used for long periods of time and can be rather uncomfortable in rough conditions. The padding may also soak up water like a sponge. I do know that those blow molded seats will fill up with water in the rain, so their most likely not suited for boat use.

Something as simple as a good captains chair may work too, with the addition of a simple belt or bar, plus a foot rest if needed, they can be really comfortable.

I did see one boat a number of years ago in which the rear seat had been fitted with sort of a wide belt of nylon net type of restraint to hold a double amputee safely seated. It basically wrapped around his torso and was Velcro latched to the seat next to him.

Another option may be to just attach Velcro directly to the life jacket and to the seat, it would hold a person securely upright but they would be able to pull free in the event of an emergency.

A buddy also had a child seat for his boat which had two quick release straps which clipped directly to the bottom of each side of the life vest. It used those plastic clip on buckles as on a normal life vest but had two additional straps for clipping into the boat. There were two straps bolted to the under side of the seat to attach those to. It was a basically a small molded plastic boat seat on a pedestal. I'm not sure if it was factory or something custom made.

Another thought, most seat belts are built to be corrosion resistant to some extent. One thing to look at would be racing or amusement seat belts which are intended for all weather use. Here's one source that comes to mind: http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo.net/industrial-vehicles.html
(Their marine seat belts are the type that flip open with on hand, they are easy to release and the buckles are made from Stainless steel.

 

[Bucks45]

Re: Seatbelts!

That is what I love about this Forum. The ideas abound... and noone gives up on trying to assist. QUOTE]

Knightgang I couldn't agree more. You guys are awesome. You guys got me thinking when you were talking about the molded seating. Her power chairs are very expensive. Thank God we have insurance! She gets them replaced every 3-4 years. I typically keep the old one for a backup and give the backup to a local MRDD school. The seating in her chairs are molded (the latest one was custom made by a German company. Same company that makes seats for BMW). They have a chest harness. It's padded foam that covers her chest with 4 straps, two shoulder, and two lap. It's made for transport. The seat is two pieces, bottom, and back. I should be able to use it. I would have to come up with a way to anchor (while allowing for quick release in the case of an emergency). I would also need to be able to take it out to put back in the chair if needed. Her chairs break down and have to be serviced. Now I just need to figure out how to anchor it. I agree that it needs to be on the port side. I'm not concerned about being able to watch her. Her mom will always be with us! Plus I weigh about 240 lbs and thats about their combined weight. Gotta balance the boat.

Nandy......She's actually my stepdaughter, but her mother and I have been together since she was 4. She has a great dad and we get along really well, but she's still like a daughter to me! People used to think that I was a great guy for taking on a handicapped kid, but she's done more for me than I've ever done for her. It's amazing how humbled you are by a person that seems to have so many limitations, but never complains about anything.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Seatbelts!

Everyone else has the seat aspect covered, so I'll add,

Is there anyway to change your rear seating to a bench seat/engine cover combination? My dad and I built a bulkhead and an engine cover for a boat of ours when I was a teenager. We then used the rear "jump" seat bases to make a rear bench seat in front of it. We didn't put a padded vinyl upholstery on it, we just used marine carpet.
It wasn't that difficult to do really. Just a thought. Good luck.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Seatbelts!

I was at a conference back in the 80's were there was a demonstration of a marine seat belt with an automatic release buckle that was activated on submersion. It had a tablet in it that looked somewhat like an Alka-Seltzer in an over center latch which would let the buckle fly open if it go wet. Don't remember the name of the company but they were trying to sell it for marine patrol and racing use.

Perhaps an internet search could find out if they are still in business.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Seatbelts!

Nandy......She's actually my stepdaughter, but her mother and I have been together since she was 4. She has a great dad and we get along really well, but she's still like a daughter to me! People used to think that I was a great guy for taking on a handicapped kid, but she's done more for me than I've ever done for her. It's amazing how humbled you are by a person that seems to have so many limitations, but never complains about anything.

Aint that the truth! My son always has a smile and when something pushes his buttons it will be a matter of minutes for him to get over it... Sometimes I think we are the disabled ones...
Good luck!