A fast boat crossing rough water can deliver repeated jolts through the backs, hips, and necks of everyone onboard. Even when the hull is strong enough to handle the punishment, the occupants may still feel every hard landing.
New Zealand-based Shark Seating tackles that problem by placing a suspension system beneath the seat. The boat continues to rise, fall, and strike the water, but the seat is able to move separately and absorb part of the impact before it reaches the person sitting on it.
The company produces suspension seating for recreational, commercial, patrol, fishing, excursion, and offshore vessels. Its main range includes four models: EVO, LUXE, EPIC, and ULTRA.
How the suspension system works
On a conventional marine seat, forces generated by the hull are transferred relatively directly into the occupant. During a long journey or repeated high-speed runs, this can cause discomfort, fatigue, and loss of concentration.
Shark’s suspension systems provide controlled movement beneath the seat. Depending on the configuration, they offer up to 225 mm, or 9 inches, of travel and are designed to mitigate impacts of up to 10G.
When the boat lands after leaving or striking a wave, the suspension compresses and controls the movement instead of immediately passing the full force into the body.
The system does not remove rough-water motion or make the boat itself ride differently. Its purpose is to reduce the severity of the impacts experienced by the occupant.
Self-adjusting shock absorption
A notable feature of Shark Seating’s design is its self-adjusting shock absorber.
Rather than requiring manual damping adjustments whenever a different person uses the seat, the shock absorber is designed to respond automatically to the occupant’s weight.
Shark’s FLEX suspension uses a marine-grade stainless-steel shock absorber. The company describes it as a three-axis shock-mitigation system.
That means it is intended to manage more than vertical movement. Boats can also throw occupants forward, backward, or sideways depending on the wave direction, speed, heading, and way the hull lands.
Reducing these multidirectional forces may help limit fatigue and the whiplash-like movement associated with repeated rough-water impacts.
Materials designed for saltwater
Marine seating has to withstand more than physical shocks. Saltwater, moisture, ultraviolet exposure, scratches, and corrosion can quickly damage unsuitable materials.
Shark uses marine-grade stainless steel, waterproof foams, polycarbonate shells, marine upholstery, protective coatings, and composite suspension components.
One of its key materials is Flexanite, a proprietary composite used in the suspension assemblies. Shark describes it as lightweight, non-corrosive, UV-resistant, and resistant to scratches.
The systems are also designed without exposed pinch points, sharp edges, or hard moving surfaces that could trap fingers or arms.
Shark says its bio-plastic leaf springs incorporate approximately 1 kg of sequestered carbon per suspension. According to the company, the material provides the required strength while reducing the manufacturing footprint.
EVO: a conventional helm seat
EVO is the most conventional-looking seat in the range.
Its broader bucket-style shape and ergonomic curves provide a familiar seating position for operators who do not want a narrow jockey seat. It is aimed at both leisure and commercial vessels.
EVO can be purchased as a seat alone or combined with one of Shark’s suspension bases. The company highlights FLEX and FLEXpod-HD options, allowing builders and operators to choose a suspension according to the expected operating conditions.
The full EVO suspension-seat configuration weighs 18.5 kg, or approximately 40.8 lb, and provides 225 mm, or 9 inches, of travel.
It is the heaviest of the four main models, but it also offers the widest and most traditional seating position.
LUXE: greater support for longer journeys
LUXE is designed for boats where occupants need more support during long-distance or high-impact operation.
It includes integrated armrests and a taller headrest, giving it a more enclosed shape than Shark’s lighter jockey-style seats. Closed-cell urethane foam and leather-like marine upholstery are used for comfort, energy absorption, and durability.
The seat is paired with the three-component FLEX suspension and its self-adjusting stainless-steel shock absorber.
According to Shark, LUXE complies with HSC 2000 Annex 10 requirements. The company also says it has been independently tested through more than one million full-force 10G impacts.
Its construction includes a polycarbonate shell, Flexanite suspension components, marine upholstery, and non-corroding stainless steel.
The complete configuration weighs 16.1 kg, or approximately 35.5 lb, and provides 225 mm, or 9 inches, of suspension travel.
EPIC: a lighter jockey-style option
EPIC uses a narrower jockey-seat layout that allows the occupant to sit astride the cushion.
This position helps the rider move with the boat and use their legs for additional stability rather than being thrown across a wider conventional seat.
A grab handle is integrated into the rear. It can provide support for someone seated behind the unit or act as a handhold while moving around the vessel.
EPIC is offered in black and grey as standard. Shark says custom colours are available for orders of 25 seats or more.
It can be purchased alone or paired with a suspension base. FLEX is the standard combination, although Shark says the seat can also be mounted on a FLEXpod system.
The complete FLEX-equipped EPIC weighs 14.1 kg, or approximately 31.1 lb, and provides 225 mm, or 9 inches, of travel.
ULTRA: the flagship offshore seat
ULTRA is Shark’s flagship jockey-style suspension seat.
Its injection-moulded structure is combined with energy-absorbing foam. The narrow seat and central pommel allow the user to move between seated and partially standing positions while maintaining contact with the unit.
This arrangement is intended to help operators use their legs and upper body to respond to the motion of the boat while retaining control.
With the FLEX suspension, ULTRA offers 225 mm, or 9 inches, of travel and is rated by Shark for impacts of up to 10G.
The complete configuration weighs 13.1 kg, or approximately 28.8 lb, making it the lightest of the company’s standard 225-mm-travel packages.
Shark also offers an ULTRAlite version fitted with the lighter FLEXpod suspension. It weighs 7.1 kg, or approximately 15.7 lb, and provides 150 mm, or 6 inches, of travel.
ULTRAlite is rated for vertical impacts of up to 6G and is also designed to reduce sideways forces. It may suit vessels that need multiple suspension seats without adding excessive total weight.
Available ULTRA accessories include headrests, armrests, grab handles, footrests, harnesses, swivels, covers, adjustable plinths, and mounting systems.
Which model suits which boat?
EVO is the clearest choice for operators who prefer a conventional helm seat.
LUXE provides greater head, back, and arm support, making it better suited to long journeys or occupants who want a more enclosed seating position.
EPIC offers a relatively light jockey-style format with an upholstered finish and integrated rear grab handle.
ULTRA places the strongest emphasis on offshore control, low weight, and freedom of movement. Its standard FLEX version provides the greatest impact capacity, while ULTRAlite trades some suspension travel for a substantial reduction in weight.
The final choice will also depend on available deck space, mounting position, vessel weight limits, operating speed, passenger numbers, and typical sea conditions.
Pricing and availability
Shark Seating does not publish fixed retail prices for the EVO, LUXE, EPIC, or ULTRA on their product pages.
The seats appear to be sold through a quotation and enquiry process rather than a standard online checkout. Buyers can request product brochures or contact Shark Seating to discuss the seat model, suspension base, accessories, quantity, installation requirements, and intended vessel.
This means pricing is likely to vary according to the configuration. A seat-only order will differ from a complete suspension package, while accessories, custom colours, mounting hardware, freight, taxes, and larger commercial orders may also affect the final cost.
Availability may similarly depend on location, selected model, customisation, and whether the order is for a single leisure boat or a larger commercial fleet.
Source: Shark Seating
