Life Jacket Choice

I will be interested to hear how comfortable that crewsaver one is. I have heard from others who have ones with built in hoods that they can be bulky . There is a company in cowes iow that enables you to order online adding extras etc-Ocean Safety I think but a lot here depends on budget. Personally I prefer a jacket type with a short zip on front as easier to put on . It’s gone off accidentally once due to leaving in cabin locker in absence of dehumidifier etc. we tend to take ours home in winter in not sailing trips planned really. I would avoid metal buckles as they can damage stuff perhaps . Don’t forget to buy lifeline as best advice is to stay on board .
 
Hermit said:
I got my son a Team-O lifejacket. Really comfortable and seems well made - just can't find any stock anywhere....
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I bought three of these (275N) for the boat and I’m delighted with them. Even the 275 is really comfortable and you can forget that you have it on.

A good review by our hosts, here:

TeamO Backtow lifejacket - tested - Yachting Monthly

As the review states, the makers have been really struggling to get their components after Covid-19.

Try a phone call?

Home of the Backtow Lifejacket and Deckharness
 
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Plum said:
Interestingly, regarding size the RNLI website says "The only limiting factor can be the length of the waist/chest belt, which can vary between makes. Because of their buoyancy, all adults, regardless of their size, have a net weight of about 5kg when immersed in water. You do not need a lifejacket or buoyancy aid with more buoyancy just because you're big."
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Their statement about bouyancy / net weight on everyone being about the same is right... however if we buy the hypothesis that bulky waterproofs need more bouyancy to ensure the wearer is the right way up I'm not sure their logic totally stacks us. Bigger people = bulkier clothes. "Heavier builds" may distribute their inherent bouyancy differently from skinnier ones and simply be harder to roll over in the water, not to mention that I've seen some figures where the lifejacket seems to "perched" on top of a paunch at a totally different angle from all the marketing pictures present it at so may not work as well? Anyone know if real studies have actually been performed or was this rationale determined round a table rather than a pool?
 
Plum said:
Interestingly, regarding size the RNLI website says "The only limiting factor can be the length of the waist/chest belt, which can vary between makes. Because of their buoyancy, all adults, regardless of their size, have a net weight of about 5kg when immersed in water. You do not need a lifejacket or buoyancy aid with more buoyancy just because you're big."

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
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Well that's the first time I've seen that - and has certainly challenged my previous understanding! I assumed that big wet oilskins would make a significant difference (or at least lifting them after I've rinsed them off gave me that impression!)
 
My understanding from discussion with ocean safety a couple of years ago, was that the 275N was for commercial use with heavy gear and belts etc and not body mass, so for leisure use not needed or advised
 
MattS said:
Well that's the first time I've seen that - and has certainly challenged my previous understanding! I assumed that big wet oilskins would make a significant difference (or at least lifting them after I've rinsed them off gave me that impression!)
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Its to be noted that Roadworkers jackets as some newcomers appear with are deadly as they soak up water in their linings .... so the bouyancy factor would be compromised despite water = water ....

But Marine jackets / oilies do not take up water in same amount ... and you can try this experiment ..... tie a light line to your oilies and put in the water ... see what they do ..... they tend to take on the appearance of a manta ray in the water ...

The clothes to be wary off are - the ones UNDER the oilies ....

Of course you could always buy a Pilots Jacket - An offshore jacket with built in inflatable LJ
 
Daverw said:
My understanding from discussion with ocean safety a couple of years ago, was that the 275N was for commercial use with heavy gear and belts etc and not body mass, so for leisure use not needed or advised
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I've always understood that drysuits, flotation suits etc worn with a lifejacket should really be combined with a 275N jacket to be sure the inherent buoyancy in the suit didn't prevent rotating to face up. Ambiguously various people say "heavy protective clothing" but don't define what is heavy and what is not. In the back of my mind many years ago the test for ordinary lifejackets (150N?) was with a dummy wearing no clothes - perhaps that has changed over the years and realistic clothing is used?
 
ylop said:
I've always understood that drysuits, flotation suits etc worn with a lifejacket should really be combined with a 275N jacket to be sure the inherent buoyancy in the suit didn't prevent rotating to face up. Ambiguously various people say "heavy protective clothing" but don't define what is heavy and what is not. In the back of my mind many years ago the test for ordinary lifejackets (150N?) was with a dummy wearing no clothes - perhaps that has changed over the years and realistic clothing is used?
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Many years ago I found myself in an tough spot. I was fishing from a rib, wearing neoprene waders. I got nudged off a sandbank by my buddy, straight into 10m of water. He'd managed to run aground and I'd got out to push him off, standing in about 3ft of water I'd taken the shoulder straps off as a precaution and I was wearing a 150n jacket. I sank like a stone. Had to use my knife to cut the straps after they partly fastened themselves back on due to velcro. Barely managed to get them off and swim up to the grab rope in time. Total panic.

Valuable lessons were learned. For that scenario, definitely 275N or better still, dont wear waders aboard a small boat and always carry a knife where you can get to it quickly in case of entanglement.
 
If planning on heding south try the jacket on with just a T shirt. My last jacket was fine with my oily coat on but rubbed my neck painfully on a warm day in just a T shirt.
 
I would wait until when (or if) you buy a boat. By this point you will probably have the experience to answer the question yourself. Until then you will have lifejackets provided for you and can wear them as much as you like, gaining actual experience of chafe points, uncomfortable crotch straps and so on (and conversely you may find something that fits like a glove). You wont get this experience in a chandlers or boatshow.

I'm sorry if this sounds rude but you appear to be in a hurry to buy as much as possible before you have really got started with the actual sailing bit (I am assuming this because of the comp crew comment from a previous thread) This isn't always the best way of doing things as you will generally find out what is appropriate (and necessary) for you by being out on the water.

For example - you mentioned you want to cross Bisacy. In that case, if you are going to wear a lifejacket at all I would suggest doing it properly and getting a SOLAS rated jacket of 275N with sprayhood, light, crotch-strap & integrated AIS PLB. However you will need to fit the PLB correctly (which can be a ballache) or pay someone to do it. A spinlock (not the most expensive L/J) to this specification could set you back north of 600 quid.

Then you may find it a little heavy across the shoulders and not wear it.
 
obmij said:
I would wait until when (or if) you buy a boat. By this point you will probably have the experience to answer the question yourself. Until then you will have lifejackets provided for you and can wear them as much as you like, gaining actual experience of chafe points, uncomfortable crotch straps and so on (and conversely you may find something that fits like a glove). You wont get this experience in a chandlers or boatshow.

I'm sorry if this sounds rude but you appear to be in a hurry to buy as much as possible before you have really got started with the actual sailing bit (I am assuming this because of the comp crew comment from a previous thread) This isn't always the best way of doing things as you will generally find out what is appropriate (and necessary) for you by being out on the water.

For example - you mentioned you want to cross Bisacy. In that case, if you are going to wear a lifejacket at all I would suggest doing it properly and getting a SOLAS rated jacket of 275N with sprayhood, light, crotch-strap & integrated AIS PLB. However you will need to fit the PLB correctly (which can be a ballache) or pay someone to do it. A spinlock (not the most expensive L/J) to this specification could set you back north of 600 quid.

Then you may find it a little heavy across the shoulders and not wear it.
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Not rude at all, dont worry.

I just like to have my own kit when I'm doing activities like this and hopefully kicking it all off next month with my first practical so in that sense, yes, I don't have very long since I'll have to do everything by post, size exchanges etc. Theres nowhere around here to buy anything much marine wise.

Biscay would be many years away unless I end up as just crew on someone elses boat in a few years time.
 
Ordering online does sound like a pain, and in that case I can only reiterate the advice to wait until until after the course. Perhaps there will be a chandlers nearby?

Either way, enjoy the course, sailing and fair winds!

Cheers!
 
I have used Spinlock Deckvest and it's very comfortable and light, it inflates automatically and comes with an harness, i can stay all day with it.
 
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