Photos: Preston Innovations · supplied retailer imagery
Seatboxes · Match and coarse fishing · Our take
Preston Innovations Absolute 36 Seatbox
Absolute 36
Chunky 36 mm legs, useful drawer storage and a padded seat make the Absolute 36 a serious match-fishing base. Just don't mistake it for something you'll fancy carrying miles.
- Complete weight is 18.70 kg; frame-only weight is 11.25 kg.
- Uses 36 mm legs with low-profile mud feet.
- Includes a deluxe padded seat with an integrated side drawer.
- Supplied storage includes a frame-mounted 26 mm tray, a 40 mm compartmented side-drawer unit, and a 26 mm shallow tray with cassette lid.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Absolute 36 with the supplied tray and drawer arrangement described here; check the contents of any retailer bundle separately.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A well-equipped, substantial seatbox with a useful working layout; transport weight is the clearest compromise.
- Product Quality9.1/10
- Performance9/10
- Impact on Fish Catching7.9/10
- Ease of Use8.3/10
- Value for Money8.4/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Regular match anglers. The working position and accessible tackle storage suit sessions where organisation and repeatable movements matter.
- Committed pole and feeder pleasure anglers. A substantial seated base makes sense when you stay on one peg and fish several hours at a time.
Maybe skip if
- Roving anglers and long-walk venues. The complete weight makes repeated moves or awkward carries a chore.
- Occasional anglers with a modest tackle load. A simpler box or chair may cover your needs with less bulk and expense.
The lowdown
Introducing the Preston Innovations Absolute 36 Seatbox
Chunky 36 mm legs, useful drawer storage and a padded seat make the Absolute 36 a serious match-fishing base. Just don't mistake it for something you'll fancy carrying miles.
- Complete weight is 18.70 kg; frame-only weight is 11.25 kg.
- Uses 36 mm legs with low-profile mud feet.
- Includes a deluxe padded seat with an integrated side drawer.
- Supplied storage includes a frame-mounted 26 mm tray, a 40 mm compartmented side-drawer unit, and a 26 mm shallow tray with cassette lid.
Quick verdict
Proper fishing station, proper carrying weight
The Absolute 36 makes sense if your fishing revolves around getting settled, organising your gear and working a swim properly. Its 36 mm legs, footplate and accessible storage give it a clear purpose beyond simply somewhere to park yourself.
The catch is getting it there. At 18.70 kg complete, before your own tackle goes in, it's a substantial lump. A strong choice for regular match and committed pleasure anglers; less convincing for travelling light or hopping between swims.
A well-equipped, substantial seatbox with a useful working layout; transport weight is the clearest compromise.
- Product Quality
- 9.1/10
- Performance
- 9/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 7.9/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.3/10
- Value for Money
- 8.4/10
The substantial 36 mm leg system, padded seat and organised storage make a convincing high-end package.
Its seated working layout suits long, settled sessions, although the bulk limits convenience away from accessible pegs.
Better tackle access and positioning can support efficient fishing, but the benefit is indirect rather than a shortcut to bites.
Side-drawer access and quick-release footplate pins are helpful, while the complete weight makes transport more demanding.
The included seating and storage make most sense for frequent users who will genuinely benefit from a substantial match-style station.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Preston Innovations
Preston Innovations Absolute 36 Seatbox (this one)
Top scorer
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the Preston Innovations Absolute 36 Seatbox
The Preston Innovations Absolute 36 is for the angler who gets to a peg and builds a proper fishing station, rather than dropping a bag beside a folding chair. Seat, footplate, drawers and trays all have a job here. It's aimed squarely at organised coarse and match fishing, where you might spend hours feeding the same line, shipping a pole or watching a tip. If that's your sort of session, there's plenty to like. If you're forever wandering off for a cheeky look in the margins, this is a rather different proposition.
Start with the bit your back will care about: the complete weight is 18.70 kg. That's before you add your own tackle, so don't brush it aside as a small detail. The frame-only figure is 11.25 kg, but that isn't the weight of the complete fishing setup you're buying. On a venue with sensible access, the bulk may be an acceptable trade for a substantial base. Across muddy fields, steep banks or a string of gates, it'll need rather more planning. Think trolley route first, shiny new box second, mate.
The 36 mm legs are central to the appeal. They're a substantial platform for a seated setup, and the low-profile mud feet give the legs a broader contact area than bare tube ends. That doesn't mean you can plonk it anywhere and forget about it. Take time to position the feet on sound ground and settle the box before loading up your fishing position. A footplate is especially useful for keeping your feet supported rather than leaving one boot dangling off a platform edge. Proper setup matters more than rushing to get a rig wet.
Storage is where the Absolute 36 starts looking like a working tool rather than just a posh perch. You get a 26 mm tray attached to the frame, a 40 mm compartmented side-drawer unit, and a deluxe padded seat with an integrated side drawer. There's also a 26 mm shallow tray with a cassette lid. That's a useful spread for separating the little bits that otherwise end up rattling around together. Keep regularly used terminal tackle easy to reach, and save the less accessible space for items you won't want every five minutes.
For pole fishing, that organisation can take a fair bit of faff out of the day. When the fish back off and you want a lighter hooklength, you don't want to unpack half your kit to find it. Likewise, feeder anglers benefit from having small tackle arranged sensibly when changing the business end. The shallow trays suit flatter items better than bulky gear, so don't expect them to swallow everything from your carryall. Think rig storage and small essentials, not a magic cupboard for bait tubs, waterproofs and the kitchen sink.
The padded seat is another part of the package that makes sense for longer sessions. Padding alone doesn't guarantee everyone's ideal sitting position, though. Your height, posture and how you fish all come into it. For pole work in particular, you want a position that lets you handle the pole without constantly reaching or twisting. With a feeder setup, arrange your rests so you're not leaning awkwardly to reach the rod. A tidy box is nice; a sensible working position is what makes the whole setup earn its place on the bank.
Size deserves a proper look before you buy. The listed width is 757 mm, with a full length of 846.50 mm and a closed length of 611.50 mm. Measure the boot opening, not just the space once everything's inside. Then think about the pegs you actually fish: a generous commercial platform is a different matter from a cramped canal towpath. The supplied cover is a welcome practical extra, while the footplate uses spring-loaded quick-release pins. Familiarise yourself with those fittings and make sure everything is securely located before sitting down.
So who should be interested? Regular match anglers and keen pleasure anglers who settle into one swim and want their tackle arranged around them. The Absolute 36 offers a convincing mix of seating, storage and a substantial leg system, without pretending to be lightweight kit. It won't turn a blank into a bag-up by itself, and there's no need to buy this much box for an occasional couple of hours. But if an organised station is central to your fishing, its priorities are bang on. Just leave room for it in the car.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Weight
- 18.70 kg complete; 11.25 kg frame only
- Dimensions
- 528 mm high × 757 mm wide; 846.50 mm full length, 611.50 mm closed length
- Legs
- 36 mm diameter with low-profile mud feet
- Seat
- Deluxe padded seat with integrated side drawer
- Included storage
- Frame-mounted 26 mm tray; 40 mm compartmented side-drawer unit; 26 mm shallow tray and cassette lid
- Footplate and cover
- Footplate secured by spring-loaded quick-release pins; seatbox cover included
Specs checked with Preston Innovations, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Buy it for the fishing position, not just the drawers
The real attraction is having your seat, feet and tackle organised around one working position. That's dead handy when you're feeding little and often, changing hooklengths or shipping a pole repeatedly.
Think through your route from the car before getting carried away with the storage. Transport is part of the buying decision here, not something to sort out afterwards.
Layout and storage
A seatbox built around the working day
The Absolute 36 combines a substantial leg system with several separate storage spaces. The side drawers are particularly useful for tackle you want while seated; access doesn't involve lifting the seat beneath you. Keep the layout simple and consistent. Knowing exactly where your disgorger or replacement hooklength lives is far better than having loads of compartments with no plan.
The 26 mm trays are shallow storage, while the 40 mm compartmented side-drawer unit adds another way to split up small items. Check the dimensions of any existing rig winders or hooklength boxes before assuming they'll drop straight in. The supplied seatbox cover is handy, but don't treat a cover as a promise that every compartment is watertight.
Worth knowing. The 11.25 kg figure is frame only. Use the 18.70 kg complete weight when planning transport, then allow for your tackle and accessories. That's the number that matters when the car park is a fair trek away.
Your fishing
Best when you stay put and work the swim
Pole anglers are an obvious fit, especially those fishing several lines and making regular rig changes. A well-arranged station helps keep feeding, shipping and landing fish organised. Sort the position of your landing-net handle before starting, too. There's no point having every hook neatly filed away if you're stretching behind yourself when a decent carp rolls at the net.
Feeder and float anglers can get plenty from the same layout. The benefit is having a consistent seated position and small tackle close by, not anything that directly makes fish bite. If your usual day involves one peg, a decent session length and easy transport, the Absolute 36 fits the brief much better than it does for short, mobile trips.
For a roving river angler or someone who only carries a handful of rigs, the bulk is harder to justify. Likewise, traditional overnight carp fishing normally calls for a different seating and luggage setup. Buy around the fishing you do most often, not the fully loaded match station you fancy looking at.
Practical questions
Check the carrying weight, clamps and storage
How heavy is it? Complete weight is 18.70 kg, compared with 11.25 kg for the frame alone. Added tackle pushes the travelling weight up further. If you use a trolley or shuttle, check compatibility and carrying capacity, and think about how you'll secure the load over rough ground.
Will your accessories fit? The key measurement is the 36 mm leg diameter. A clamp made only for a smaller leg won't fit just because it's from a familiar tackle brand. Check the individual fitting and any approved inserts before budgeting around your existing side tray, rests or other attachments.
What storage is included? There's a frame-mounted 26 mm tray, a 40 mm compartmented side-drawer unit, an integrated side drawer in the deluxe padded seat, and a separate 26 mm shallow tray with cassette lid. A seatbox cover is included too. Don't assume display accessories such as side trays and rod rests are part of the deal; check the actual package.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- 36 mm legs provide a substantial foundation for a properly organised fishing station.
- Side drawers give useful access to small tackle without lifting the seat.
- Supplied trays and compartmented storage help separate rigs and terminal tackle.
- Padded seat, footplate and supplied cover make this a well-equipped package.
Worth knowing
- The 18.70 kg complete weight is a serious consideration before adding tackle.
- Its substantial footprint needs thought on small pegs and in packed cars.
- More seatbox than many occasional or mobile pleasure anglers need.
Want one?
Add it to your Wanted list or join a Group Buy — shops see anonymous totals only.
Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01How heavy is the Preston Absolute 36?
How heavy is the Preston Absolute 36?
The complete box weighs 18.70 kg, while the frame-only weight is 11.25 kg. Your tackle and any extra accessories add to the load.
02Will my existing seatbox accessories fit?
Will my existing seatbox accessories fit?
The legs are 36 mm diameter. Check each accessory clamp is compatible with 36 mm legs; some accept suitable inserts, while others won't fit.
03What storage comes with it?
What storage comes with it?
You get a 26 mm tray attached to the frame, a 40 mm compartmented side-drawer unit, a deluxe padded seat with an integrated side drawer, plus a 26 mm shallow tray and cassette lid.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: proper fishing station, proper carrying weight. The strongest reasons to choose it are 36 mm legs provide a substantial foundation for a properly organised fishing station. and side drawers give useful access to small tackle without lifting the seat.; the main trade-off is the 18.70 kg complete weight is a serious consideration before adding tackle..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “36 mm legs provide a substantial foundation for a properly organised fishing station.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Regular match anglers: The working position and accessible tackle storage suit sessions where organisation and repeatable movements matter.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “The 18.70 kg complete weight is a serious consideration before adding tackle.”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
What our readers rate Preston Innovations Absolute 36 Seatbox
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Owner reports
Own this? Help the next angler.
Quick multiple-choice reports from people who say they own the Preston Innovations Absolute 36 Seatbox. Not verified purchases, and kept separate from our score.
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