I have a stick steer that i installed on a Lowe 1448 and i love it as far as safety is concerned. I can see other boats when i start to get up on plane but i will get a little wet when the surf's up. I had a friend of mine (that is an aluminum welder) to weld the base of my only front seat to the floor.No worry about that seat!!!It doesn't take long to get used to driving the stick steer either.