The seat is what primarily connects you to your boat, and when chosen well, you can end up with an intuitive, comfortable and safe seat that makes operating your boat extremely enjoyable. Shark seats differ uniquely from their counterparts because of the material they are made from. The use of their own proprietary blend of injection molded plastic called FLEXANITE is the foundation of what makes shark special and offers several advantages in the marine environment.
1. Corrosion Resistance:
- Plastic: Sharks high-quality marine-grade plastic blend (FLEXANITE) is inherently resistant to corrosion from saltwater, humidity, and other harsh marine elements. This significantly reduces maintenance needs and extends the lifespan of the suspension/ seat, especially in demanding environments.
- Metal: Metal parts, even those treated for marine use, are susceptible to rust and corrosion over time, requiring regular maintenance like cleaning, lubrication, and the application of protective coatings. Failure to do so can lead to stiffness, breakage, and a reduced lifespan.
2. Reduced Weight:
- Plastic: Plastics are generally lighter than metals and this is evident through Sharks seats and suspensions. The heaviest suspension in the range is still considered a lightweight option amongst its competitors. A lighter suspension system contributes to the overall weight reduction of the boat – and if several seats need to be installed to protect passengers/ crew, this won’t hinder the vessels fuel efficiency and performance.
- Metal: Metal suspension seats can add significantly more weight to the boat, especially if many passengers require safe seating. This can result in sluggish performance and higher fuel consumption.
3. Lower Maintenance:
- Plastic: As mentioned earlier, the corrosion resistance of plastic minimizes the need for extensive maintenance. Cleaning shark seats involves just rinsing with fresh water. FLEXANITE plastic is also resistant to mold and mildew.
- Metal: Metal parts require more diligent maintenance to prevent corrosion and ensure smooth operation. Re-application of coatings and general care can take valuable time away from your business, enjoyment or simply down time.
4. Design Flexibility and Integration:
- Plastic: Shark’s utilization of plastic injection molding allows for simple, effective, and integrated suspension designs with fewer parts, enhancing strength and reliability. By directly molding features like integrated flexing zones and energy-absorbing shapes, they’ve achieved a high-travel suspension that offers exceptional comfort through its flexible yet robust construction.
- Metal: Metal parts often require more complex assembly processes with multiple welds, bolts, and hinges, which can introduce more potential points of failure, especially after significant impacts.
5. No Pinch-Points:
- Plastic: Shark suspensions are designed to have NO pinch points, even within the moving components in the suspension. If a passenger were to accidentally place a hand under their seat in a jerk reaction, their hands would be perfectly safe.
- Metal: Sharp edges and scissor-like areas that are seen in the mechanical nature of metal systems inherently present a risk of pinch points and crushing injuries if hands are placed underneath them while the boat is in motion and the suspension is active.
6. Cost-Effectiveness:
- Plastic: The symmetrical design of Shark suspension components, manufactured through injection molding, requires significantly fewer tools and less labor to produce. This “printing” of parts with integrated details avoids the complexities of metal fabrication and overly engineered components, inherently reducing manufacturing costs.
- Metal: Producing metal suspension seats often involves more intricate processes, requiring numerous tools and substantial labor for fabrication. The complexity of metalwork and the potential for overly engineered components can lead to higher overall manufacturing costs.
7. Significant Vibration Reduction:
- Plastic: Shark suspension seats are particularly effective at reducing whole-body vibration due to their use of FLEXANITE, a viscoelastic plastic. This material combines the properties of elasticity and viscosity, meaning it can both flex under pressure and dissipate energy through internal friction. This “damping” effect absorbs vibration energy, turning it into low levels of heat, rather than transferring it directly to the occupant. The result is a noticeably smoother ride and reduced physical stress on the body.
Research has shown that prolonged exposure to whole-body vibration, which is common on high-speed marine craft, can lead to fatigue, reduced reaction times, and impaired cognitive performance¹ ². This is especially important for marine professionals in critical roles, such as rescue or patrol operations. By effectively mitigating these impacts, Shark seats help enhance alertness, safety, and comfort across all marine applications.
- Metal: Traditional metal suspensions rely heavily on mechanical components and shock absorbers, which may not offer the same degree of vibration damping across a wide range of frequencies. While they may reduce large impacts, they are less effective at filtering out persistent low-level vibrations, the kind most responsible for fatigue over time.
To sum up
Shark suspensions are different… but this is why they work. The break from traditional metal suspension seating has allowed for exciting features to enter the spotlight. The comparison clearly illustrates some of the unique advantages offered by Shark Seating’s innovative use of FLEXANITE plastic over traditional metal in marine suspension seats. From superior corrosion resistance and significant weight reduction to lower maintenance, enhanced design flexibility, the crucial elimination of pinch points, and demonstrably better vibration absorption, FLEXANITE provides a compelling alternative. By mitigating the harmful effects of whole-body vibration, Shark seats not only enhance comfort and reduce fatigue but can also contribute to improved cognitive function, particularly vital for those working in demanding marine environments. Ultimately, choosing Shark Seating means investing in a more durable, safer, and significantly more comfortable boating experience, built on the foundation of a simple yet thoughtful material science.
References:
1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23962773_Seating_Type_and_Cognitive_Performance_After_3_Hours_Travel_by_High-Speed_Boat_in_Sea_States_2-3
2. McMorris, Terry & Myers, Stephen & Dobbins, Trevor & Hall, Ben & Dyson, Rosemary. (2009). Seating Type and Cognitive Performance After 3 Hours Travel by High-Speed Boat in Sea States 2-3. Aviation, space, and environmental medicine. 80. 24-8. 10.3357/ASEM.2405.2009.
