The need for a shock mitigation seat depends on the hull. The truth of the matter is the flatter and faster the hull, the more likely you will require a shock mitigation seat.
It makes sense that high performance boats with flat hulls require high performance boat seats. This describes most RIBS available today which can travel from 30 to even 70 knots on the high end crafts.
Shark shock mitigation seats combine the ultra-smooth ride needed on recreational craft with the hard-core travel and endurance needed by the extreme users. So it comes as no surprise that shark seats have been chosen for chase boats by Oracle, Ben Ainslie Racing and Team Japan.
But even for the average boat owner traveling at lower speeds, there are often situations where serious wave slams occur, a weather change, crossing a bar, a rogue wave and so on. In these situations, the impact force on the spine could be 6G without a suspension and a travel of 225mm is needed to absorb impacts that large.
Make sure when you shop for a suspension seat that it has more than 150mm of fully-compressed travel and preferably 225mm. Your back will thank you for it!