Horseshoe Buoy

[penfold]

I would like to find some new yellow ones.
Hopefully a design which can take a loop of strong line to lift and tow a casualty.
They are an excellent piece of MOB equipment, and exponentially more so when coupled with a flashing light. My previous horseshoes are 20 yrs old and only now beginning to wear out.
The design has not been improved on, but today's floating lights are much better than the dreadful old things with a D cell and a torch battery.

If they're the usual type with a vinyl jacket that zips or is stitched on, take your old ones to a sailmaker and get them to make new covers, the foam core has been protected from UV so may well be fit for another 20.

 

[Gary Fox]

If they're the usual type with a vinyl jacket that zips or is stitched on, take your old ones to a sailmaker and get them to make new covers, the foam core has been protected from UV so may well be fit for another 20.

Excellent idea

 

[Roberto]

That Silzig looks ideal, just how I would design one myself.. but £182 is daylight robbery.

Indeed very expensive for what it is
I made one by myself, a good length of webbing sewn inside, I filled the tube with leftovers of packaging material to keep it flexible. With a bit of ingenuity, it could also be doubled as an emergency ladder: hang it on the hullside from one end, the outside handles kept open by hose pieces and be used as steps.

 

[penfold]

Indeed very expensive for what it is
I made one by myself, a good length of webbing sewn inside, I filled the tube with leftovers of packaging material to keep it flexible. With a bit of ingenuity, it could also be doubled as an emergency ladder: hang it on the hullside from one end, the outside handles kept open by hose pieces and be used as steps.

It looks like a pool noodle(as demonstrated by Esther Williams up the thread) with a vinyl jacket, definitely DIY territory.

 

[JumbleDuck]

To be honest I think the design may have got worse, by making them "more compact" for neat stowage, to the point that you can't fit them round a typical torso. Still useful, of course, as something to hold onto and to mark the position, but I've seen photos from past decades where the horseshoes were big enough for someone to get round themselves under the armpits and do up the rope in front.

I have on my garage wall the horseshoe buoy which came with my Jouster when my old dad bought her in the seventies. It is, as you say, big enough to get round at least some people. The modern type which came with my current boat is a bit of a joke in that respect as it couldn't fit round anyone over the age of five or so. I still have it, but only as a conveniently rail-hung floaty thing

 

[Gary Fox]

Yes 'a convenient rail-hung floaty thing' is a good definition of mine too, with a line and light attached.

 

[Plum]

If they're the usual type with a vinyl jacket that zips or is stitched on, take your old ones to a sailmaker and get them to make new covers, the foam core has been protected from UV so may well be fit for another 20.

I bought new zip-on covers for mine. Cheaper and saves plastic.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[LadyInBed]

That Silzig looks ideal, just how I would design one myself.. but £182 is daylight robbery.

The 'Swimming Aid' I pictured in #15 with a Zip / Velcro on cover would be quite a bit cheaper

 

[Plum]

Well, I have read this, including one or two threads in this forum but not much substantive fact. What solutions do you think are better? I would have thought that there is value in having something buoyant that one can swim too and which is flagged but....?

I like the idea of the JonBuoy that can support the casualty out of the water but they are 20 x the price.

I have no intention of getting rid of my horseshoe lifebuoys, despite never having had to use one in 35 years and concern over not being able to throw one more than a few metres, but a far better piece of kit, in my experience, is a 25m throwline like this 2021 Palm 25M Pro Throw Line 12274 - Canoe & Kayak - Floats Throwlines & Buoyancy

I have twice used mine to rescue a person in the water and three times as a very quick way to get a line to another boat to pull them off the mud. The 1 tonne breaking load has meant that for moderate sized boats it is strong enough as a towline without having to waste time using a lighter line as a messenger to transfer a stronger one. You will be surprised how far you can throw one with a bit of practice (don't forget to hang on to the loose end!)

I'm not suggesting these are the ultimate mob device, just that for dealing with people in the water have proved to be more useful to me.

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[TernVI]

I have no intention of getting rid of my horseshoe lifebuoys, despite never having had to use one in 35 years and concern over not being able to throw one more than a few metres, but a far better piece of kit, in my experience, is a 25m throwline like this 2021 Palm 25M Pro Throw Line 12274 - Canoe & Kayak - Floats Throwlines & Buoyancy

I have twice used mine to rescue a person in the water and three times as a very quick way to get a line to another boat to pull them off the mud. The 1 tonne breaking load has meant that for moderate sized boats it is strong enough as a towline without having to waste time using a lighter line as a messenger to transfer a stronger one. You will be surprised how far you can throw one with a bit of practice (don't forget to hang on to the loose end!)

I'm not suggesting these are the ultimate mob device, just that for dealing with people in the water have proved to be more useful to me.

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

We have a throwline permanently at the pushpit.
A very useful bit of kit.

But in our system it has generally a different, complimentary function to the liferings.

I have used a horseshoe lifering, I chucked it to someone who'd fallen in a marina.
I won't claim it saved a life but the recipient seemed pleased enough.

For this reason, when we pack the boat up, we leave the old life rings in the holders.
The good ones with lights etc are put below.

 

[capnsensible]

JonBuoy, Lifesling, etc, seem infinitely preferable. Have you tried throwing a horseshoe buoy with any accuracy?

Yes. Lots. Also complete with drogue and light as mandated for coded yachts. Top tip, get close. ?