one wolf

I'm looking to purchase two new helm seats to replace the nicely restored Pompanette chairs that came with my new-to-me Blackfin 29. The Pomanettes are beautiful and comfortable enough but way to big for the helm at 27 inches deep by 27 inches wide.

I'm looking very hard at the Arrigoni MK-3B and 4B chairs The only real difference is that the 4B includes a headrest:
https://www.arrigonidesign.com/product/mk-3b/
https://www.arrigonidesign.com/product/mk-4b/

I've also looked at llebroc and a few others but these Arrigonis really check all the boxes for me: flip bolsters, flip arms, reclines, and at only 19" deep by 24" wide (bolster down) - fits my space requirement nicely.

Questions:
1. Any direct experience with either of these chairs?
2. Regardless of brand: Are headrests really useful? I've honestly never had a headrest on a helm seat and can't imagine there would be many times I would rest my head back against it, but since I've never had one, i just don't know.

Thanks in advance for feedback.

Gullpt

I have both the mk4 and mk3b. The mk4 is the most comfortable seat I’ve ever sat in- anywhere!

one wolf

Wow thanks, that's very helpful testimony. Compared to the mk3b, is the mk4 more comfortable because of the headrest or because it doesn't have the flip down bolster do you think?

Jecaro

I don't have any info on seats BUT I have an Arrigoni fighting post which has been on 4 different boats and is about 25 years old and still in great shape.

His quality is excellent!!!

Mpellet

I’ve had this Arrigoni helm seat for 7 or 8 years. Bought it as a leftover at a fishing show. I wanna say I paid about $1000 can’t recall exactly but it was a LOT less expensive then other seats I was considering. I wasn’t even aware of the Arrigoni Brand until I saw the chair and said “That’s EXACTLY what I am looking for!”. The left side of the folding bolster fabric is worn but otherwise the chair has held up very well.

one wolf

Is it comfortable? Do you find that your head actually uses the headrest ever?

Mpellet

Yes comfortable and yes I use the headrest. I keep an RTIC 45 rotomold cooler in the boat all the time as a foot rest. My run to and from the fishing grounds is about 1.5 hours. Unless it real rough, I am typically feet up on the cooler, head back on the head rest watching the autopilot do it’s thing while maintaining a visual and RADAR watch.

Flying_Norseman

Nothing like a Llebroc, and yes we do enjoy the headrests except while cruising at 50 knots.

one wolf

Those are exactly the other ones I was looking at. I wish their footprint was a little smaller and it reclined (more importantly, tilt forward).

Flying_Norseman

They do recline, and they do have a push up cushion thats perfect for stand up driving.

one wolf

So I guess it's this one?
https://www.llebroc.com/product-p/4brtrw04-.htm

Flying_Norseman

Thats it. I just had them made to match the boat.