Advertisement

My Aching Back

Four nifty spine savers.

If you’re buying Bengay in 55-gallon drums because of soreness caused by jarring boat rides, I feel your pain. The morning after an eight-hour shift in rough seas, I had to lift my legs with my hands to get out of bed. But know this: There are ways to bolster your body. These products could be your respite from the raw.

POST UP

Seaspension by Land-mar products is a system that acts as a shock-absorbing pedestal for your seat or leaning post. The idea was borrowed from a motorcycle shock absorber, which can handle almost any surface. Seaspension seat posts are equipped with stainless-steel springs rated for up to 350 pounds. And if you’re nervous about drilling new holes in the sole, Seaspension can match the post base to the boat’s existing base configuration. What’s more? They have a five-year warranty and come in a range of heights and colors. Price: starts at $495. Contact Land-mar at 727/544-9660.

Advertisement

DECKED OUT

Could the old deck use a good kick in the glass? Deckmate’s Modified Polyvinyl Polymer Blend (PVC) tiles should stave off the violence. This interlocking deck system is oil, weather, and flame resistant and boasts antibacterial properties. The pockmarked design helps keep water below the walking surface, which allows you to rest goods on it without getting them wet. But the best part about the tiles is that the rubber material gives way under stress, taking away pressure from your spine and legs. Order it in one of 11 colors or mix and match. Price: $4.50 to $5.30 per tile. Contact WorldSport at 800/377-7721.

BEAN ME UP

Advertisement

You may have one from your college days hidden in an attic corner. If you do, take it out and dust it off. What’s retro is in again, and beanbags can do wonders for your bum while riding in the rough stuff. Interior fire-repellent Styrofoam pellets give beanbag chairs their cushiness. Look for ones that are stuffed with 28-ounce or higher marine boat vinyls. A well-made beanbag chair will be double stitched and have a UV coating. Price: starts at $50. Contact Bean Bag Chairs at www.beanbagbeanbag.com.

HIGH TIMES

Strap your body into a Stidd Systems’ Series 500NH Slimline High Back Admiral seat for serious comfort. It has a 34″-high back and a seat-height range of 31″ to 39″. The chair also provides 8″ of fore/aft travel. You can lean your noggin against the three-position headrest, recline up to 40″, and enjoy the foldaway footrest. This chair also features swivel-and-lock operation and rotates 360 degrees. Choose powder-coated or deluxe polished-chrome finishes. Price: $4,200. Contact Stidd Systems at 631/477-2400, www.stidd.com.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement