Seat for Rapier 18

Quick question on those who’ve swapped out the seat in a Rapier 18. How do you take it out? Looks like I need to cut its sides to take it out. It can’t seem to squeeze out via the cockpit opening in one piece. Is there a trick to taking it out in one piece so I don’t have to destroy it?



Second, if you got the bumfortable seat in yours, which size did you get to fit the boat - the smaller? At $110 it seems a little pricey but based on feedback it might be worth it…



Thanks!