Life Vests
- Thread starter markm
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Ram
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The main advantage of the automatic
ones is that they will inflate even if you're
unconscious, in shock, panicked or otherwise
unable to operate the vest. The main disadvantage
is that they'll inflate anytime you hit the
water, and there may be times when you
really don't want that. For example, we
generally wear the auto ones anytime
we're outside the cabin, but use vests
when we go ashore in the dinghy (because
we may decide to deliberately go in the
water).
Of course, the manual ones are less expensive,
but I wouldn't make that a factor when it
comes to life and death safety items.
ones is that they will inflate even if you're
unconscious, in shock, panicked or otherwise
unable to operate the vest. The main disadvantage
is that they'll inflate anytime you hit the
water, and there may be times when you
really don't want that. For example, we
generally wear the auto ones anytime
we're outside the cabin, but use vests
when we go ashore in the dinghy (because
we may decide to deliberately go in the
water).
Of course, the manual ones are less expensive,
but I wouldn't make that a factor when it
comes to life and death safety items.
captain's cat
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Either type has mandatory replacement of the cartridge, which isn't cheap. Good insurance though. We always test ours at the expiration date by using them in the water (we have automatic ones) and they have always worked well. And then we replace the CO2 cylinder and the activation puck.
You need to be actually wearing them though for them to "count" in your lifejacket inventory. The USCG will not give you credit for having them in a locker as they will for the other non-inflatable type.
We also have a Mustang "throw stick", a throwable thingy that you can heave to someone in the water, quite a distance. It then inflates into a horseshoe that someone can slip on. This is kept in the cockpit in it's pouch..
Charlie
You need to be actually wearing them though for them to "count" in your lifejacket inventory. The USCG will not give you credit for having them in a locker as they will for the other non-inflatable type.
We also have a Mustang "throw stick", a throwable thingy that you can heave to someone in the water, quite a distance. It then inflates into a horseshoe that someone can slip on. This is kept in the cockpit in it's pouch..
Charlie
CaptMac
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I'd encourage the auto activated inflatable comfortable jacket - one that you will actually wear. Especially here in the PNW due to the cold water, you don't really have much time after you fall in the water before you don't have enough muscle control to perform a task. Without a life jacket on, you can't stay afloat even if you are a good swimmer beyond a few (10) minutes or so.
If you can - get the ones that are hydrostatically activated. The "old" autoinflate mechanism used a dissolving puck - which , upon wet occassions, would dissolve while standing the rain or a wet foredeck taking spray. The new technology only inflates when actually submerged.
Mac
If you can - get the ones that are hydrostatically activated. The "old" autoinflate mechanism used a dissolving puck - which , upon wet occassions, would dissolve while standing the rain or a wet foredeck taking spray. The new technology only inflates when actually submerged.
Mac
Bruce Moore
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We've come to like the folks at Fisheries Supply Company. Their only retail store is here in Seattle, but their website and paper catalog are quite extensive.
NewMoon
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Like Island Ranger, we believe in life jackets that are convenient enough to actually wear. We use the belt packs most of the time. Plenty of floatation if you need it, and very easy to strap on if you're hopping into the dinghy or whatever. With these you can wear whichever coat (rain jacket, etc) works best for the situation at the time.
NewMoon
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Ours are 35lb bouyancy. I wouldn't go with the smaller 22lb ones. Ours are West Marine brand, but made by SOSpenders. They're probably 15 years old by now, and have both been inflated and had their CO2 cartridges replaced. They seem simple and reliable. Here are some examples.
http://www.boatersworld.com/product/MP6 ... rce=google
http://www.fisheriessupply.com/online/l ... ve/Ntk/All
http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=160236F
I'd probably suggest the SOSpenders one - from our experience they seem to be quality gear.
When you pull the cord ours inflate a u-shaped bladder that you put around your neck and down in front of your chest, much the same as the more cumbersome chest harness models that sailors tend to wear. For those of us who aren't constantly moving around on the deck as sailors tending to sails might do, these seem to make sense for regular use.
We also have type-I non-inflatable (bulky) ones that are ready to be put one if conditions ever get really scary.
http://www.boatersworld.com/product/MP6 ... rce=google
http://www.fisheriessupply.com/online/l ... ve/Ntk/All
http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=160236F
I'd probably suggest the SOSpenders one - from our experience they seem to be quality gear.
When you pull the cord ours inflate a u-shaped bladder that you put around your neck and down in front of your chest, much the same as the more cumbersome chest harness models that sailors tend to wear. For those of us who aren't constantly moving around on the deck as sailors tending to sails might do, these seem to make sense for regular use.
We also have type-I non-inflatable (bulky) ones that are ready to be put one if conditions ever get really scary.