Pacyfic’s Iconic Captain’s Chair – Meet the Designer
Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of working with many talented visionaries, designers, and engineers. One of the most significant collaborations has been with Espen Thorup – a renowned Scandinavian designer, whose path crossed with ours through projects for the Nordkapp-Boats brand.
Following Espen’s vision and designs, we worked closely to bring his concepts to life – with a strong emphasis on precision craftsmanship and attention to detail. The goal was to create upholstery that perfectly reflects the character of these unique boats: minimalist, elegant, cohesive in form, and beautiful in their simplicity.
Over time, our partnership naturally evolved – from crafting upholstery to jointly developing helm seats. Espen’s concepts gradually moved from design to prototype and eventually to series production at Pacyfic.
One of our flagship models is the Fiji seat – a highly versatile design, chosen by various boat manufacturers, from leisure boats to more advanced vessels. Thanks to its structure and customization options, Fiji is available in many unique variations – always tailored to the specific project. It’s an ideal solution for those seeking seating for yachts and motorboats that blends functionality with aesthetics.
Over the years, this helm seat has taken on many forms. Personalisation went far beyond logos, material choices, stitching, or piping. A version with cut-outs was also introduced, and with the addition of aluminium accents, the seat gained a futuristic look and a fresh, modern character – offering an alternative for those who appreciate technical finishes and a more distinctive design.
Pilot Seats Fiji can also be manufactured with a heating option (heated seat and backrest) for cooler climates.
Together with Espen Thorup, we are working on several new pilot seat models. Our goal is to create a design that not only impresses visually, but also delivers ergonomic comfort, safety, and extensive personalisation options – including features such as armrests, an adjustable headrest, and a seat heating function.
The official presentation of the new helm seat model is planned for METSTRADE in Amsterdam, in November 2025:
🔗 https://www.metstrade.com
(link to Pacyfic at METSTRADE)
These new projects will expand our range of custom yacht upholstery – responding to the growing demand for innovation, high quality, and individual solutions.
