G21 - Backrest Thoughts?

[morrow]

We currently have a 2020 G21. Looking at new G21s was super bummed to find out that the starboard passenger side backrest (behind the driver) no longer is available. We have this seat filled 100% of the time with a passenger facing backwards. Now it appears if someone wants to sit facing back behind the driver they have to lean against the driver's seat. This seems silly to me, and we were told it's been like that for a few years and you have to move up to a G23 to get that option now.

Unfortunately our private lake has length limits that prohibit us from getting a G23.

So any G21 users out there that formerly had the backrest that now don't, anyone miss it? Or did you learn to live without it?

[FMSKI]

I see what you mean there.
Rather than chopping short a G23 , you could get a relatively firm, seat-foam block, dimensioned (triangular-ish), sculpted and appropriately upholstered to fit in that "void" area. Supported by the d-seat back and can slide on base cushion

[DoubleUpDisaster]

Like you, I just discovered this change recently. It sounds like we’re in a similar spot: length restricted and loving our G21. We had a 2014, now a 2019, and just like on your boat, that seat is always occupied. I had planned to eventually work our way up to a 2021+, but this is (unbelievably) a huge miss from Nautique. I could understand leaving it out on the S or GS, but the G is supposed have just about all of the bells and whistles, regardless of length.

Edit - I just realized that the GS22 has a flip-up backrest on the starboard side. Why wouldn’t they do the same on the G21?

[jhiestand]

We have that back rest in our 210 but spend a decent chunk of time in friends' boats that do not have that back rest, and I can attest that in those instances we haven't gotten used to it. Seems clunky having to pile towels and soft coolers there to get comfortable, particularly in such a pricey wake rig. For that matter, I think not having the flip up additional port side seat is also a major fail. Perhaps newer riders (surfers?) no longer use those seating positions and we're just old school.

[morrow]

Anyone ever find any good solutions for this? We ordered our new G21 today. (Still can't put a 23 footer on my lake unfortunately.)

Talking with the Nautique rep at the boat show, basically their answer is: buy a G23.
My dealer seemed to think they could try to customize it with a drop in bolster seat back with an aftermarket customization. Not sure I'm super crazy about cutting on a brand new boat.

I tried a couple of the Paragon pillows piled up. Eh, seemed ok...little low, but might work. I think we're going to try that for a season and see how bad we miss it. If it's as bad as I suspect we may see if we can get a customization done.

[DoubleUpDisaster]

I’ll be very curious to see what you come up with. It’s actually turned me off of looking for an upgrade.

[morrow]

Following up on this post. We ended up getting 2 pillows. They work "ok." Definitely nothing close to as good as the rear facing bolster seat. That being said, the pillows have been a BIG hit. They work ok, if you stack 2 of them behind the driver's seat. But my passengers like to grab them and use them up front. To the point where I've actually ordered 2 more pillows. Crazy, as I never thought we'd even use them and they were a waste of space and money.

My dealer still thinks they could get a bolster seat customized into the boat, and is all about trying to figure it out for me, but at this point we're going to keep using the pillows. Will see how it goes for the rest of the season.

[DoubleUpDisaster]

Well, did all of the pillows migrate up to the bow by the end of the season?

[morrow]

Well, did all of the pillows migrate up to the bow by the end of the season?

No, they pretty much stay where they are without that bolster seat. They get used every time we go out. They are surprisingly popular though, we ended up picking up 2 additional ones for the front/other areas of the boat.

[Scooter G]

Do tell, where did you get those pillows? They look almost spot on for interior color match.
I don't want to spend $500k for pillows that come with a free boat...

[morrow]

Do tell, where did you get those pillows? They look almost spot on for interior color match.
I don't want to spend $500k for pillows that come with a free boat...

They are an exact match. My dealer ordered them for me to match my interior. While they're not cheap, they're a couple dollars less than $500k.