Folding seat like a director's chair?

We've got a pair of nice director chairs in our salon. I'd like to find some stools that match/come close to how they look. I can't, for the life of me, find a decent example of one online.

As is often the case I probably haven't hit on exactly the right search terms for it. But basically what I'm looking for would be an armless version of one of a directors chair.

I can find foot stools, but their low 15" (40cm) height won't work for seating. I can find camp stools but their seating size is way too small.

I'd like to have some easily stored extra seating. It seemed like a sling seat item like we had in the director chairs would be a good alternative.

Worst case I suppose I could just get some director chairs and take off the arms.

Bar height director chair

High Wire said:

Bar height director chair

Click to expand...

I only need/want regular height seating. Bar height would be too high. Likewise, what I'm after here is easy storage. A director's chair with the hinged arms adds bulk. I just want a normal 18" height seat without the arms, and a bottom that's a decent width. Camp stools are tiny in comparison.

wkearney99 said:

I suppose I could just get some director chairs and take off the arms.

Click to expand...

I wonder how much the chairs depend on the clamping action of the arms over where the seat sling is inserted?

https://arcmarine.eu/d/regiestuhl-schwarz-seiltuch/p77/

Its in Europe, but they have a perfect product.

Nice greetings, Walter

Kinda off the wall, won't match other seating.... but a drummer's throne might work for you. Usually the seat comes off and the stand folds, height is adjustable, backrest optional.

All my kit hardware is Yamaha or Gibraltar, but there are several drum companies that make decent stuff.

-Chris

ranger42c said:

All my kit hardware is Yamaha or Gibraltar, but there are several drum companies that make decent stuff.

Click to expand...

OH! You're a DRUMMER. That explains... so much...

I'm kidding, of course. I never had the separating hands/feet coordination to play drums. Just in-line instruments like the trumpet, trombone, sax and clarinet.

I've got teak decking in the cockpit where I'd want to use the seating... not sure how well the metal stand hardware would hold up against outdoor use on saltwater. That and pinch/scrape issues with kids wet from swimming.

Thus wood stuff that'd fold seems a better fit. The hassle is finding it. I'm ordering up a spare director chair and going to see about taking the arms off.

18” high

There's also this sort.

But I'm trying to juggle several variables. Outside, salt environment, easy to stow, gentle on teak (and fiberglass when man-handling it down into a lazarette or engine compartment) and suitable for kids or guests in wet bathing suits.

Thus something like a slightly larger camp stool or director's chair without arms would really be ideal.

Hens teeth are easier to find...

And don't get me started on finding a folding dining table...

I've finally found an Indonesian vendor that I think makes what I'm after... but they've yet to reply to inquiries.

This one's 40" x 27" and folds up like various 24" square ones I've seen.

We had the very same problem, that is "how do we accommodate guests and give them a comfortable chair to sit in?" Also, being able to fold them up quickly for out of sight storage. These were found on line at $80.00 and though people love them, they are not suitable for lengthy outside use.We do use them outside, however, for short periods. (3hours, etc.) Each chair has a fold out table that negates the need for more salon tables.

Google 'Folding chairs" then "images."

Edit: My wife says to Google Camp Chairs
https://www.kmart.com/picnic-time-sports-chair-botanica/p-00607773000P#Imagezoom

What is a chair without a back? A STOOL.

Google Directors Stool:

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1....1.64.psy-ab..1.14.960...0i10k1.0.BIn70uXqqnc

Looks like Shrew has you pointed in the right direction. We used to have standard directors chair, but went with these because of their compactness.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009CPDG1E/ref=twister_B0042X0YCK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Helped that they were 1/2 price when we bought them.

How about this?
https://www.amazon.com/Devoko-Rattan-Camping-Outdoor-Folding/dp/B07KT33MHS

4 of them for $99

wkearney99 said:

OH! You're a DRUMMER. That explains... so much...

I'm kidding, of course. I never had the separating hands/feet coordination to play drums. Just in-line instruments like the trumpet, trombone, sax and clarinet.

I've got teak decking in the cockpit where I'd want to use the seating... not sure how well the metal stand hardware would hold up against outdoor use on saltwater. That and pinch/scrape issues with kids wet from swimming.

Thus wood stuff that'd fold seems a better fit. The hassle is finding it. I'm ordering up a spare director chair and going to see about taking the arms off.

Click to expand...

And guitar, too. Just now, we're working on the Irish bodhráns... expecting a pair of those to be a bit more travel friendly, along with an acoustic 12-string... compared to my kit and her little grand or concert leyboard. There's only so much space to go around...

We've got a mid-height director chait we use, too... similar to the one in your first picture but neither bar height nor chair height... and it folds OK, but doesn't get tiny.

-Chris

Shrew said:

What is a chair without a back? A STOOL.

Google Directors Stool:

Click to expand...

Gee, if it was as simple as 'just google it' I wouldn't have posted the question.

I don't want a 15" (or less) foot rest. I want a decent 18" height and decent width for seating. Go check the heights.

After a lot searching, I managed to find ONE example of something referred to as a 'sideline stool' from Gold Medal. Everywhere Chair sells 'em. I've ordered a pair and see.

Meanwhile I picked up a set of four directors chairs via craigslist. Used them this weekend and it reinforced my desire to use an armless/stool variant. With kids going back/forth, the backs of the chairs were in the way more often than not.

Upside was discovering I can stow at least 3 of them under the forward berth. With stools it'd probably allow stowing at least 4. Added bonus was discovering a pretty big space under the inboard berth in the starboard stateroom. Big enough to stow a rolled up inflatable twin bed mattress, and then some. Oddly there was an AC power strip installed there. Previous owner must've had some TV/video gear or something down there.

wkearney99 said:

And don't get me started on finding a folding dining table...

I've finally found an Indonesian vendor that I think makes what I'm after... but they've yet to reply to inquiries.

This one's 40" x 27" and folds up like various 24" square ones I've seen.

Click to expand...

We have something similar, I think it was made in Papua New Guinea, just north of Australia.Folds identically. 2 halves of the top lock to each other by dowels, we haven`t but they could break if not lined up.Found on ebay.
No pics, but we have 4 timber slat "steamer" chairs. Made in Vietnam I think, of acacia wood. They fold flat to store. We use them in the cockpit with the table, and indoors on one side of the dining table.

wkearney99 said:

After a lot searching, I managed to find ONE example of something referred to as a 'sideline stool' from Gold Medal. Everywhere Chair sells 'em. I've ordered a pair and see.

Click to expand...

Looks a likely candidate. The Gold Medal website is a bit short on detail (wood finish, height, etc.).

-Chris

ranger42c said:

Looks a likely candidate. The Gold Medal website is a bit short on detail (wood finish, height, etc.).

Click to expand...

Tell me about it. But beggars can't be choosers at this point. I went with a pair from of these from Everywhere Chair in a 'natural finish' with some navy seats.

Thanks for link. Our interior is all cherry, so I guess I could refinish a "natural" wood model...

Our use case might be a temporary stool at the open end of our asymmetrical dinette, sort of a way to seat 5 at a table built for 3-4.

The medium height director's chair we have works OK, but it's still a little high and takes up significant space even when folded.... but as I remember it, the normal height director's chair would be too low. I might have to recheck that...

-Chris

ranger42c said:

Thanks for link. Our interior is all cherry, so I guess I could refinish a "natural" wood model...

Our use case might be a temporary stool at the open end of our asymmetrical dinette, sort of a way to seat 5 at a table built for 3-4.

The medium height director's chair we have works OK, but it's still a little high and takes up significant space even when folded.... but as I remember it, the normal height director's chair would be too low. I might have to recheck that...

Click to expand...

Yup, similar situation. My goal here is temporary seating, mainly for out in the cockpit, but in a pinch for the salon and flybridge table. Having a back on them gets in the way of people moving from one boat to another when we're rafted up with others. Our boating use is largely recreational, with kids, which is perhaps different that what some other members here are doing.

I've had my share of metal chairs in the past and generally dislike how they feel/look and how saltwater tends to wreck them. Wood stuff has it's own issues but it doesn't corrode, doesn't tend to scratch/ding/dent gelcoat or teak decking.

I can live with some degree of finish mis-match. I'll try to get some good pix when I get them on-board.

Canvas folding stool set.


https://www.amazon.com/BYER-MAINE-P...97db7cb8043dd3d5e4fbc154313032&language=en_US

BruceK said:

We have something similar, I think it was made in Papua New Guinea, just north of Australia.Folds identically. 2 halves of the top lock to each other by dowels, we haven`t but they could break if not lined up.Found on ebay.
No pics, but we have 4 timber slat "steamer" chairs. Made in Vietnam I think, of acacia wood. They fold flat to store. We use them in the cockpit with the table, and indoors on one side of the dining table.

Click to expand...

I've seen the steamer chair variety, it's a nice look. Good to know they fold flat, as some chairs don't really fold in a completely flat sort of way (lots of finger-pinching points left exposed making carrying/storing tedious).

We have a small 2'x2' variant of the table and know what you're talking about regarding the dowels. They don't seem to be critical to any weight-bearing, more just to make sure the halves line up together. But it's good advice to be careful with them regardless.

Haven't slogged through eBay results lately, might re-visit...

Not exactly what you are looking for, but if small storage is a priority, these things fold up to the size of a large laptop. We have two in the Tug that we use in the cockpit, upper deck and sometimes in the cabin depending on needs. They have rubber/silicone pads on the bottom so wont scratch the deck. Only down side is that I've heard they are no good for the beach because sand can mess with the collapsible legs. That hasn't been an issue for us, as the only time we take them off the boat is to use on the dock or by the firepit at our marina clubhouse.
https://www.amazon.com/GCI-Outdoor-Compact-Folding-Chair/dp/B0042X0YCK

Folding Arless Directors Chair

snip
I've finally found an Indonesian vendor that I think makes what I'm after... but they've yet to reply to inquiries.
snip

Why not inquire locally about having exactly what you want made to your specifications?

Pete

old salt said:

Why not inquire locally about having exactly what you want made to your specifications?

Click to expand...

Because now they have finally replied and have quoted a number considerably less than I'd ever get locally. Shipping costs remain to be seen, but I'll probably up the quantity to a few other units to help offset the cost.

ranger42c said:

Thanks for link. Our interior is all cherry, so I guess I could refinish a "natural" wood model...

Our use case might be a temporary stool at the open end of our asymmetrical dinette, sort of a way to seat 5 at a table built for 3-4.

The medium height director's chair we have works OK, but it's still a little high and takes up significant space even when folded.... but as I remember it, the normal height director's chair would be too low. I might have to recheck that...

-Chris

Click to expand...

Lots of options.

https://www.google.com/search?q=fol...0j69i57j0l4.6823j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Good assortment of teak

Try Westminster Teak. They usually have pieces that meet my needs.

https://www.westminsterteak.com/CID88/Ottomans/sc=SiteSearchottoman

I’ve had good success.

Carl

Here's a shot of the stool from Everywhere Chair.

I bought a pair of the stools, along with some Phifertex replacement covers for some craigslist director chairs I picked up last weekend. The Phifertex is perfect for wet swimsuit seating.

I also bought two of their director chair bags. The bag is perfect for holding two of the stools, but is only large enough for one director chair.