Wave backrests...my two cents worth...

Well after much thought. My wife and I finally took the plunge and got backrests for our Wave. In my opinion they are worth ever penny. Unless your racing,weight isn't an issue. It's not the fastest boat,we all know that. But,it now makes the easiest most fun little catamaran,also the most comfortable. Do yourself a favor and get them.

I haven't installed mine yet. Any problems with the drilling or removing endcaps? Did you use the screws or get the quick pins? Looking forward to getting them on!

Hey Rav, My dealer offered to put them on for me. So I let him. I see what he did and it looks real easy. I opted to have them screwed in, only because he had the rests at the shop already but not the pins. I figured I'd probably never need to take them off anyway. But I would go for pins if you have not ordered yet...there cheap and ya never know! The end caps should pop off no problem. Just keep wiggling. A little lube does make things easier. Silicone spray maybe? Good luck. You'll really enjoy them.

I never saw much point in the backrests.., seems to me that would really restrict you ability to hike in heavy air.
Rick

Received the quick pins. The backrest instructions call for a 5/32 hole to be drilled. Appears that the quick pins are much larger, looks like about 1/4. Do the quick pins require a larger hole or did I get the wrong part?

BTW, went for the quick pins for just the reason Rick mentioned, ability to remove and hike out when needed.
Thanks

Nothing like sailing a cat... and being comfortable. I like the comfort on the trapeze the best, but if you are sitting... nothing like the back support the seat back rests offer on the Wave.

Matt, any knowledge on the quick pin sizes?

• Received the quick pins. The backrest instructions call for a 5/32 hole to be drilled. Appears that the quick pins are much larger, looks like about 1/4. Do the quick pins require a larger hole or did I get the wrong part?

I have the back rest on both of my Waves. Its great it was a little tough to get the end caps out they are rivited and siliconed in. I drilled the rivits and then worked it until it came out then cleaned the scone out of the cross bars. I have the pins in one and the screws on the other I've taken both off and put them back on before but no need to unless you are racing (and I can't seem to rally any adult Wave owners around here to race) or there is a space problem.I also have the Hooter on one and its great for off wind its a big difference. I like the pins the best but sometimes the pin slips out so you can put nylon slip ties on and around the back rest bars and that works but the screws are fine too they can back out also so watch for that.I attached a line around the backrest and the cross bar and atached my blocks to those for my Hooter sheets so I don't sit on them when I getway back on the hulls.
Mark

The instructions call out 5/32" holes when using the provided screws. You would use a 3/6" bit to enlarge the hole in the wing leg. For any other screw size or pin dimension, the basic concept is a net fit through the deck and crossbar. You want a little looser fit in the wing leg, so you oversize that hole so the pin or screw is just a sort of keeper pin. Not a tight fit. Allows the seatback to flex in an out a little without working directly against the tip of the pin or screw.


Seat installation instructions

I put the backrest on my wave the first of june. It does make the boat more comfortable. In heavy wind I sit over the back support. It feels pretty sturdy. It certainly adds another dimension to wave sailing. It looks cool too!
I just got a drill bit the same size as the quick pins drilled a hole and mounted the backrest. They seem to work just fine. Randy

Does anyone sail in heavy wind sitting on the backrest? I try to be careful not to put too much stess on the backrest but, it is fun to sit on the backrest and use it like a trapeze. But, it feels like I need a tiller extension and a way to keep the mainsheet from being cleated. I have to sit scrunched over and hold the tiller and keep the main sheet not cleated in. Does some one have their boat set up for this? Do you have some tiller extension or main sheet alteration or some trick? thanks rbrazz