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Big Boys and Tree saddles

F

FatBoySaddleSlinger

Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2019
Messages
46
Hey guys.. just got my Mantis, I'm 6'3 275... yea im a lil bigger than most of you but I have been climbing trees since I was 12. The public land hikes made me look into this option and I'm dedicated to making this work. I went yesterday, I just used a couple of screw in steps on each side of the tree but am having a platform sent this week which will help a lot i feel. I had an insane amount of hip pinch but most of my weight was in that saddle. At one point the back brace went under my butt and that helped an INSANE amount.

My question is has anyone sewn in a strap across the middle of the seat to adjust the depth at which your arse goes backwards into the saddle? I'm thinking if i do that and get the platform i will be in the money. Thoughts????
 
I'm sure it has been done before as you will find a lot of tinkers here... but, was this your first time sitting in the saddle for more than 30 minutes? There is an adjustment period for sure... Additionally, did you try to play around with your tether height, bridge length, or saddle adjustments?
 
It was, I ended up with a softball size place on the front of my hip that is now numb I’m sitting in my saddle every night on my porch now to get my body used to it. I did some thinking yesterday and I think I may order another recliner if it comes down to it. But I got a platform that will be here by the weekend I honestly believe that will change the game for me so I may hold off until I get a chance to hunt from that. I know this is the superior hunting system I’m not giving up on it for sure
 
TooBigToFit said:
To me, it sounds like your waist belt might be sitting a bit too high? I was taught to have it a bit under where your belt would normally sit.
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I piddled with the thing for 2 Hrs plus. But my foot situation wasn’t right just had two screw in steps. That just ain’t gonna work for me. Haha I got a nice lil cart put together at Easter Outdoors and a platform that will be here by end of the week. Will report after the weekend!!
 
Are you a sitter or a leaner?
How high is your tether?
Little adjustments can make a huge difference in saddle comfort.
And wait until you get your platform before you start trying to really fine tune things. Believe it or not, a platform will have an effect on how your saddle feels.
 
FatBoySaddleSlinger said:
I piddled with the thing for 2 Hrs plus. But my foot situation wasn’t right just had two screw in steps. That just ain’t gonna work for me. Haha I got a nice lil cart put together at Easter Outdoors and a platform that will be here by end of the week. Will report after the weekend!!
Click to expand...
ya i got my saddle yesterday and sat in it by hanging off my shed rafters lol, and i noticed pinch too. (5'11" 245lbs. I bought the large saddle) i did hang up side down too and didn't fall out:smiley:. but like @Allegheny Tom said the platform will help, because when i put my feet on something to lean off of the pinch went away. but can't wait to use it.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
Are you a sitter or a leaner?
How high is your tether?
Little adjustments can make a huge difference in saddle comfort.
And wait until you get your platform before you start trying to really fine tune things. Believe it or not, a platform will have an effect on how your saddle feels.
Click to expand...
Im gonna be a leaner i think... i didn't know the difference until sunday lol... i had my tether nose high but im just too much weight to just sit in that thing lol... I typically stand 80% of the time in a conventional stand. so i think that platform will absolutely change the game for me. The problem is i will have that thing friday and I want to hunt a mature buck that im seeing around 12pm on public land... The choice now is do i take the saddle and risk not making it that long or just take the lone wolf alfa and be good lol who knows hahaha
 
FatBoySaddleSlinger said:
Im gonna be a leaner i think... i didn't know the difference until sunday lol... i had my tether nose high but im just too much weight to just sit in that thing lol... I typically stand 80% of the time in a conventional stand. so i think that platform will absolutely change the game for me. The problem is i will have that thing friday and I want to hunt a mature buck that im seeing around 12pm on public land... The choice now is do i take the saddle and risk not making it that long or just take the lone wolf alfa and be good lol who knows hahaha
Click to expand...
You could hang a conventional stand in your yard to play with adjusting stuff a shot practice. Then you will be a little farther ahead when you finally get the other platform.


Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Allegheny Tom said:
You could hang a conventional stand in your yard to play with adjusting stuff a shot practice. Then you will be a little farther ahead when you finally get the other platform.


Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Yes sir that sounds like the freaking ticket! Why i posted here lol you guys use common sense hahaha
 
I “hang” from a brick column (I line cardboard around the brick to keep my ropes from messing up) so I can practice in my backyard (no trees). This gives me a small edge of concrete to stand on as my “platform”. It’s good practice and allows me to shoot in my backyard out to about 25yards. Personally, I am more of a sitter than a leaner though. For sitting I just pull the knee pads out and continue practice the same way. If you end up deciding to try sitting - you will NEED some knee pads or atleast something padded for your knees... otherwise they will never forgive you (learn from my mistakes!)
 
Outdoorguy86 said:
I “hang” from a brick column (I line cardboard around the brick to keep my ropes from messing up) so I can practice in my backyard (no trees). This gives me a small edge of concrete to stand on as my “platform”. It’s good practice and allows me to shoot in my backyard out to about 25yards. Personally, I am more of a sitter than a leaner though. For sitting I just pull the knee pads out and continue practice the same way. If you end up deciding to try sitting - you will NEED some knee pads or atleast something padded for your knees... otherwise they will never forgive you (learn from my mistakes!)
Click to expand...

Already got some that i just wear around my ankles on the walk in... lol i know i'll wana rest eventually
 
harold wright said:
I am 5` 8" 272, don't have no hipp pinch with my kestrel. stock bridge that came with kestrel.
Click to expand...

Did you have to adjust the bridge at all? How does adjusting the bridge help? I just got my mantis and I definitely felt squeezed in when I sat in it. I’m 6’2” 300#


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Outdoorguy86 said:
The hip pinch will vary if you are a leaner or sitter as well.. typically, for a sitter, the longer bridge will decrease hip pinch. - same for a leaner as well, but it’s more pronounced for a sitter.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I have yet to receive my platform and I have to modify my tether. The Prusik on it is so long that with it as tight as it goes, the tether still sits above my head.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
FatBoySaddleSlinger said:
Hey guys.. just got my Mantis, I'm 6'3 275... yea im a lil bigger than most of you but I have been climbing trees since I was 12. The public land hikes made me look into this option and I'm dedicated to making this work. I went yesterday, I just used a couple of screw in steps on each side of the tree but am having a platform sent this week which will help a lot i feel. I had an insane amount of hip pinch but most of my weight was in that saddle. At one point the back brace went under my butt and that helped an INSANE amount.

My question is has anyone sewn in a strap across the middle of the seat to adjust the depth at which your arse goes backwards into the saddle? I'm thinking if i do that and get the platform i will be in the money. Thoughts????
Click to expand...
Im 6' & 275 pounds and ive used trophyline saddle for last 13 seasons and its been very comfortable. I do have rhe heaviest saddle ever made i think but when I'm tied off its super comfortable. Trophyline is now reopened if you wanna give them a try.
 
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Glad to hear you are enjoying it now! I'm 6' 290 pounds, I dont have too much hip pinch but my feet are sore after 4 hours. I tend to dance around at the end of the hunt constantly shifting weight from one foot to the other.
 
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Davycrocket684 said:
Glad to hear you are enjoying it now! I'm 6' 290 pounds, I dont have too pinch but my feet are sore after 4 hours. I tend to dance around at the end of the hunt constantly shifting weight from one foot to the other.
Click to expand...
Only time i can feel my feet getting uncomfortable after multiple hours is with screw in steps on presets.
Are you using screw ins?
 
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