Anyone use some kind of a cushion to keep your butt from hurting so bad or going to sleep during a long day on the water? Got any good recommendations on an affordable one thats pretty comfy?

I have used the basic Academy stadium seat cushion a few times.
https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/academy-sports-outdoors-seat-cushion#repChildCatid=1617216
It’s not great but it does help. I use it more at high school football games.

What kind of kayak and seat do you have?

I have a Trident 15, Ocean deluxe seat and a skwoosh gel pad, I don't do all day trips anymore but it's good for a few hours.

I've had one of the Cascade Designs, self inflating seat pads for over 15 years. It was given to me by a guy that spent a lot of time in canoe seats and it has straps on the bottom to keep it in place if needed. I've never used the straps. Can't believe I haven't put a hole in it and didn't even remember the name of it until checking just now. Kept thinking I would have to replace it and checked around and it seemed Thermarest was the closest thing to it.. Now realize Thermarest is one of their companies. These things are great, as I'm constantly changing inflation levels during the day for continued comfort. The material is probably what I like most about it... not nearly as rough as some of the ones I've seen and owned.

https://www.cascadedesigns.com/

I use a 2" thick seat topper cut from an old coated pool mattress float that was going to be discarded. There were enough good sections of the float left to experiment with size, thickness, and to gradually trim and carve out a perfect fit as I improved it with use. It doesn't absorb or wick water, so it helps keep a dry seat even with a slight puddle underneath.

It's a Wilderness Ride 135 with a Magellan Grenada Kayak seat. I was looking at gel seats/pads on Amazon and theres so many that its overwhelming. Just wanted to see what others are doing.

Thanks Iconn. I'll check into those

I use Kayak Kushion. They are pricey but worth it.

Ozark Trail foam seat cushion from Walmart. I saw a Mossy Oak version on clearance the other day for $3.

I was actually thinking about getting a wheel chair cushion and trying that. There pricy but I figure they would be made for sitting on all day long in comfort...

I used to have a Santa Cruz raptor, that had a bass boat seat. Super comfy. Now I have some vikings and a fisha 500. Only a couple of the vikings do I even use a seat. I know it seems strange but give it a try once without any seat at all and see if that's not a little better. I have found it to be more comfortable Han with a seat in some boats.

I just bought a cushion from Kushion Kompany. kushionkompany.com