Gulf Coast and Southeast Scuttlebutt - Spring 2026
Comfort Where It Counts
Boating isn’t getting any softer, but your ride can be with Shockwave Seats.
As the East Coast shakes off winter and the first warm fronts roll in, boaters and anglers are already prepping for another season of long runs offshore. But anyone who’s spent dawn‑to‑dusk on open water knows the toll it takes on your back. Wave impact isn’t subtle. Whether it’s tight, wind‑driven chop or deep rolling swell, every hit sends shock through the hull and straight into your spine — often measured in multiple g‑forces.
Shockwave Seats was born from exactly that reality. When David Smith piloted a RIB across the entire Northwest Passage, his prototype suspension seat made the expedition possible, and became the foundation for Shockwave’s now‑legendary marine suspension systems.
Naturally, recreational boaters took notice. Offshore anglers, center‑console owners, and weekend warriors all share the same enemy: relentless wave shock that grinds away at their backs, knees, and stamina. Shockwave’s S5 line changed that. Using air‑sprung shock absorbers, the S5 delivers four inches of vertical travel to soak up wave impact, plus an additional inch and a half of forward motion to counteract the brutal front‑on hits. The result is simple: you stay fresher, longer, and far less beat‑up at the end of the day.
In 2025 the S5‑SS suspension base was introduced. Built entirely from 316 stainless steel and finished with a rugged electropolish — it is engineered specifically for saltwater punishment. Corrosion resistance, lifetime durability, zero compromise.
Capt. Trey Baker, a Gulf Coast veteran who racks up more miles in a week than most boaters do in a season, put it simply after switching to Shockwave:
“The suspension bases dramatically reduce our fatigue in our lower backs and knees. We sometimes do 350‑mile round‑trip runs in a 24‑hour period and the Shockwave suspension bases flat out work.”
After upgrading to the S5-SS stainless model, he didn’t mince words:
“They feel incredibly strong and durable. I can honestly say that I will never own a boat without these again.”
For anglers chasing distant rigs, offshore wrecks, or far‑flung tuna grounds, that’s the kind of endorsement that matters.
Great Lakes Scuttlebutt - Spring 2026
As the Great Lakes region finally shakes off winter and the days stretch longer, boaters and anglers are gearing up for another season of unforgettable runs across some of the biggest inland waters on the planet. But anyone who’s spent dawn to dusk on open water knows the truth: wave impact is never gentle. Whether it’s tight, wind‑driven chop on Lake Erie or the deep, rhythmic heave of Lake Michigan, every hit sends shock through the hull and straight into your spine — often with forces measured in multiple g’s. It’s the kind of punishment that adds up fast.
Shockwave Seats was born from that exact reality. When David Smith piloted a RIB across the entire Northwest Passage, his prototype suspension seat wasn’t a luxury — it was the reason he could finish the expedition at all. That breakthrough became the foundation for Shockwave’s now‑legendary marine suspension systems.
Shockwave’s S5 line has changed the game. Using air‑sprung shock absorbers, the S5 delivers four inches of vertical travel to soak up impact, plus an additional inch and a half of forward motion to counteract those brutal front‑on hits. The result is simple: you stay fresher, longer, and far less beat‑up by the time you’re back at the dock.
In 2025, the S5 range expanded to meet the needs of even more boaters. The proven S5 Sentinel became the S5‑AL, now joined by the lighter, budget‑friendly S5‑LW. Both are built from anodized cast aluminum and finished with a tough powder‑coat surface — an ideal match for the rugged, often unpredictable conditions of the Great Lakes.
For Kevin Payne, a legend on the Detroit River and Lake Erie walleye scene, Shockwave wasn’t just an upgrade — it was a lifeline.
“I have many lumbar and cervical discs out of alignment and bulging from poor decisions in the past. Now, knowing I can run through big waves without pain or further damage is game changing!” says Payne. “The quality of these products is second to none and I would recommend them to anyone.”
For Great Lakes anglers, that’s the kind of endorsement that matters.
