buoyancy aid

[fisherman]

Rather than use my auto-inflate lifejacket, which will need re-arming if used, any recommendations for a buoyancy aid, for occasional river tooling about?

 

[Rappey]

Have a look on ebay if you don't mind used as cheap.
Crewsaver seems a brand on ebay that always attracts bids

 

[RJJ]

Decathlon will do you nicely. Do consider if you actually want a buoyancy aid or a foam lifejacket.

 

[[70521]]

Baltic do a proper solid LJ, not a bouyancy aid.

 

[thinwater]

The most common answer, though politically incorrect, is the learn how to swim but not fall off. Really. Let's be honest about what we really do.

(I'm assuming the rivers are not that cold in the summer. If they are, that's a little different.)

 

[Catalina36]

Try not to fall in. Always works for me.

 

[fisherman]

The most common answer, though politically incorrect, is the learn how to swim but not fall off. Really. Let's be honest about what we really do.

(I'm assuming the rivers are not that cold in the summer. If they are, that's a little different.)

Helford river... practically open sea and 13deg C. We're talking capsize/sink/ bale out/ carry on or land and walk home. Mrs is being schooled in safety boat duties...

 

[Rum Run]

Kayaking gear is often economical and effective if you need to be active while wearing it.

 

[salar]

Baltic do a gilet that wears like an item of clothing but keeps you afloat too. Very comfortable. Review here Review and Offer: Baltic Sandhamn Gilet Buoyancy Aid - Boat Angling

 

[Jungle Jim]

I've used crewsavers buoyancy aids for dinghy sailing for years, its good kit.

Here's a bargain:
Crewsaver Academy 50N Front Zip Buoyancy Aid - Colour Coded Per Size 2560

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Kayaking gear is often economical and effective if you need to be active while wearing it.

Kayaking gear a bit lightweight. Good for swimming in but a bit meagre without wetsuit. I'd go for something more chunky. Mrs F wont be swimming she will be getting back on or on safety boat. I use chunky stuff while doing mooring on same basis as only 10m from bank

 

[Tammany]

Palm is considered more or less the best in the kayaking world but you can can get cheap alternatives on ebay that are just as good. I have had both over the years I've had both and all have been upto the job. The benefit of lifejackets though is they autoupright & keep your head above water should you be unconscious. Bouyancy aids don't do this but for general mucking about on the water they are fine.

 

[Iliade]

I have a pile of the decathlon ones which are inexpensive and adequate, but I prefer to use my >35y.o. Musto buoyant coat liner gilet. - I cannot see one in their current range but eBay is your friend.

I have been in the oggin with it a few times and despite it not being an approved buoyancy aid I'm still here. It does keep you a little less cold both in and out of the water than most b.a.'s IMHO

 

[Mudisox]

I find a good set of full length steps at the stern aids quick recovery. But not falling in is even better.

 

[fisherman]

Thanks everyone. Many suppliers only have odd sizes left, XXL mostly. But I might plump here? They have them in the sizes we want, 56kg and 76 kg. Bit more bulky than vest type. ???
Life Jacket Buoyancy Aid 100N Adults Kids Childs Baby Toddler Approved Sail Vest | eBay

Oh, and it's Truro.

 

[fisherman]

I find a good set of full length steps at the stern aids quick recovery. But not falling in is even better.

This is for sailing a 15ft boat whose stability has yet to be assessed.......

 

[PetiteFleur]

Why scrimp on the possible cost of re-arming an auto life jacket? I was thankful for my auto life jacket last year when I did fall in when transferring from boat to dinghy. It auto inflated, I managed to grab the dinghy and got back aboard. I suspect it would have taken several seconds before I found and pulled the cord for a manual life jacket... Re-arming kit is cheap if it saves your life.

 

[fisherman]

Why scrimp on the possible cost of re-arming an auto life jacket? I was thankful for my auto life jacket last year when I did fall in when transferring from boat to dinghy. It auto inflated, I managed to grab the dinghy and got back aboard. I suspect it would have taken several seconds before I found and pulled the cord for a manual life jacket... Re-arming kit is cheap if it saves your life.

Yerbut, one capsize and that's it for the day. As above, I may not encounter the problem, but if I do I won't be able to rectify the situation wearing my auto jacket, too bulky.
I always wore it all day every day fishing, but mob from a FV, that's a s or b situation.

 

[TLouth7]

Why scrimp on the possible cost of re-arming an auto life jacket?

Buoyancy aids are often considered safer for use in dinghies, because the reduced buoyancy and bulk makes it easier to get out from under a capsized boat, and they are easier to swim in.