best lifejacket

[aran01]

Hi folks'
Anyone care to share their wisdom regarding the best lifejacket type for a daysailor (6M trimaran). I am torn between the standard Foam,self inflating or a bouyancy type. It would be planned to have to wear olies from time to time given the climate on the west of Ireland...Also some singlehanded sailing is planned.
What have othes found to be the best solution.
King regards,
Micheal

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[IanPoole2]

Can you swiim and how often do expect to fall off?

If you are confident in (rather than on) the water - manual gas is probably OK, if you can n't swim and/or expect to fall in fairly often then a bouyancy aid is probably best, one that turns you over and keeps your head up. Ditto if you think you may be KO'ed.
Fully automatic ones are OK - but I seem to remember a message here where it did n't auto-inflate I think some are dependent on a good dunking - being fired by water preasure.
Also - 2 points
1, make sure it's comfortable - otherwise you won't wear it
2, crotch straps - otherwise you can fall through it.

Personally I use a manual gas one - Crewsaver 150N - very comfortable - no hassle to wear and does n't go off on the fore-deck. Next time though I'll go for a 275N one.


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[Dave99]

I would definitely get a gas inflatable one whether you can swim of not, simply because they are so much lighter to wear, you are unlikely to want to wear a huge foam thing every time you take to the water. Automatics are fine as long as you look after them.

I would go for a manual (ie. pull cord - some people get that mixed up with oral) if you are a strong swimmer as its less likely to go off if you get a bit of green water into the boat. I personally recommend the XM ones but plenty of people I know are happy with their crewsaver.

Further options include a built in harness - not much different just has strong securing point and crutch straps which I think are important if you end up in the water for any length of time.


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[Sunnyseeker]

Automatic life jackets are essential...if you fall, chances are you've slipped or tripped or been hit by something, with a possibility you've hit your head?
face down and dazed are you going to find the pully thing in amongst your clothing, pockets, gloves etc? The hammer action jackets only go off if they are under water, I always sail with one and have been on the foredeck with water up to my neck and they dont go off, if they do you carry a spare re-arming kit. The best one for you is going to the most comfortable. The old moisture systems do go off with a good green wave so it has to be a hammer action if its going to get really wet..


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[Peppermint]

Re: Ocean Passage Plus Mk2

From Alladins Cave. All the bells and whistles, harness, crutch strap, sprayhood, retro reflective and the Halkey Robbins auto trigger, comfy to wear, £69.99 auto £62.99 manual. They are a nice package and no I don't have an axe to grind commercially.

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[Stork_III]

GO FOR HAMMAR ACTION AUTOMATIC WITH BUILT IN HARNESS, WITH AUTO LIGHT.

WON'T GO OFF WITH A BIG WAVE, BUT WILL IF YOU'RE IN THE HOGGIN, BUT INCAPACITATED,

IF YOU NEED YOUR LIFE JACKET ON, YOU NEED A HARNESS AND TO BE CLIPPED ONTO THE BOAT. YOUV'E ONLY ONE LIFE BUT LOADS OF MONEY, AND THER'E NOT THAT MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE. I USE XM QUICKFIT, COMFORTABLE, ONCE FITTED DON'T KNOW ITS ON, MOST OF THE OTHERS ARE THE SAME.

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[happynelly]

Writing from REAL experience, Go for the buoyancy at least for yourself. The problem with the autos is that when they inflate they flip you on your back through your head back and make sure that you are in a good position, but your not in a good position to help anyone else! This was quite a shock to discover at the wrong time!

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[spanners]

Michael . you probably know already ,, , but from today , lifejackets have to be worn on a boat of less than 7 metres LOA in Irish waters
Tis the law
regards. Tim

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[aran01]

many many thanks to all the posters. Great input and looks like the hammer action ones for me.

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[suse]

tee hee

just did a search for Aladdin's Cave - now ordered my belly dancing gear (so appropriate), for those informal cockpit gatherings!

Now NOT showing at a boat near you!

suse

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[Peppermint]

Re: tee hee

The pantomime chandler meets all theatrical needs. The jewel in the belly button can scratch GRP when you wriggle under the guard rails you know.

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[blackbeard]

If you do decide on an Hammar action ... feel through the lifejacket bladder occasionally and make sure the gas bottle is finger-tightly screwed in. (My interpretation of advice from Crewsaver.) If the gas bottle comes loose the lifejacket won't inflate either by immersion or the pull-cord.

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