A cockpit seat with a backrest – that comes ashore with you
Most boats are built to sail, not to sit in. The cockpit bench is hard, the coaming hits your back in the wrong place, and up on deck there is nothing to lean against at all. A portable cockpit seat with a backrest gives you a proper place to sit wherever you need one – and goes in your bag when you step ashore.
What is a portable cockpit seat?
It is a seat without legs: a padded seat and backrest on a frame, with a backrest you can adjust. You put it straight on the bench, the cockpit sole or the deck. On a boat that gives you three things:
- A low centre of gravity. No legs means nothing to tip over, and you sit close to the surface you sit on.
- Back support where there is none. On the foredeck, on the coachroof or in the middle of a long cockpit bench.
- Little to stow. Folded flat, it slides into a locker or a cockpit seat locker.
Cockpit seat, deck chair or fixed boat seat?
| Portable cockpit seat (floor seat) | Boat deck chair | Fixed boat seat | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legs | None – sits on the bench or deck | Yes, folding legs | Mounted on a pedestal or the hull |
| Moves around the boat | Yes | Yes, needs flat space | No |
| Comes ashore | Yes – beach, dock, garden | Sometimes | No |
| Best for | Sailboats, small cockpits, decks | Motorboats with open deck space | Helm and fishing positions |
If you sail, space is tight and the boat heels, a seat without legs is usually the easier choice.
Where on the boat?
In the cockpit
Put it on the cockpit bench with your back clear of the coaming. Good for long hours under engine, on light-wind days, or for the crew who isn't trimming.
On the foredeck and coachroof
At anchor or in harbour, the deck is the best seat on the boat – it is just hard. A backrest makes the difference between ten minutes and an afternoon.
On the dock and in the dinghy
Morning coffee on the pontoon, fishing from the jetty, the trip ashore in the tender. Carry it under one arm.
Back home
The same seat works on the beach, in the garden and in the living room. You don't need a chair that only lives on the boat.
What to look for in a boat seat with a backrest
- It handles water and sun. Salt, rain and UV wear out fabric and foam. Look for a fabric made to live outdoors and a cover you can take off and rinse.
- It stays put. A non-slip base matters on gelcoat and teak, especially when the boat heels a little.
- It adjusts. Upright to eat and navigate, further back to relax at anchor.
- It is easy to carry. You should be able to pass it over the lifelines with one hand free.
- It stows small. On board, space is always short.
How we're designing The Anyday Seat for the boat
The Anyday Seat is still in development. We launch in 2027, starting in Denmark and the Nordics. These are our targets:
- A steel frame with a backrest in 5 positions – from upright to almost flat.
- Foam in the seat and back – so you can sit for hours, not minutes.
- A removable cover in one weather-resistant outdoor fabric – made to be outside, and to come off for washing.
- A non-slip base designed to stay put on smooth surfaces.
- Side handles, so you can carry it on and off the boat.
- A target weight under 3 kg.
- Designed in Denmark.
We won't promise more than we can keep. When the first sample has been tested, we'll share the final dimensions and details with the waitlist first.
What it is not
The Anyday Seat is not a fixed boat seat and it is not safety equipment. It isn't meant for sitting on while the boat is sailing in rough water, and it won't keep you on board. Use it when it is calm enough to sit down, and stow it when the wind picks up.
Frequently asked questions
Can it handle salt water?
We're designing the cover in an outdoor fabric made for sun and water, and the cover comes off so you can rinse it in fresh water. We'll share the final fabric details once the sample has been tested.
Will it slide on deck?
We're designing the base to be non-slip. It isn't strapped down, so on a sloping deck or in a swell you still need to keep an eye on it.
Will it fit my cockpit?
That depends on the width of your bench. We'll publish the final dimensions before launch so you can measure.
What's the difference between a cockpit seat and a boat deck chair?
A boat deck chair usually has folding legs and needs a flat, open deck. A cockpit seat like The Anyday Seat has no legs: it sits directly on the bench or deck, so it is lower, steadier and easier to stow.
When can I buy it?
We launch in 2027. Join the waitlist and you'll hear from us first – including price and launch offers.
Be first on board
Join the waitlist and we'll tell you when The Anyday Seat is ready.
Join the waitlistRead next: Floor chair with back support – how to choose the right one