Life jacket recommendations

stu9000

stu9000

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I need to expand my range of adult life jackets.

My budget is around £100 ish.
I would quite like:
a clip fastener (but does not seem available if harness attachment is included).
Harness attachment point (a must have)
Self inflating
Comfortable fit
Easy to put on


This one looked good to me @£119
https://www.piratescave.co.uk/spinlock-deckvest-lite-lifejacket-with-harness-201.html
spinlock-spinlock-deckvest-lite-plus-life-jacket-w.jpg

I quite liked the clearly marked lift handle (when inflated).

These are a bit cheaper @£89
https://www.marinesuperstore.com/li...jackets/crewsaver-crewfit-180n-pro-lifejacket
0000040249.jpg


These look comfortable @£139
https://www.piratescave.co.uk/seago-3dynamic-lifejacket-pro-sensor.html
seago-seago-3dynamic-life-jacket-pro-sensor.jpg



Any thoughts before I splash the cash?
 
My spinlock light is really uncomfortable. It is very rigid. They pack a lot in to a tiny cover. Most replies will tell you that you have to try them on before buying I think.
 
ltcom said:
My spinlock light is really uncomfortable. It is very rigid. They pack a lot in to a tiny cover. Most replies will tell you that you have to try them on before buying I think.
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You have to try them on before buying.

With a bit of luck, all lifejackets bought from a reputable source should work. A spray hood is now regarded as essential, but a coastal sailor might feel they can do without.
 
I bought some two years ago but am now wondering whether I should have bought the ones that turn you on your back if you fall in.
 
The date of the canister on my wife's LJ had expired so my son & i decided that it should be changed. We decided that we should get the wife to wear it whilst she inflated it to see how it felt & get the experience.
She refused to strip off & get in the bath, so she stood in the lounge & pulled the cord whilst my son filmed the great event-- nothing:ambivalence:.
The cord had been wrapped around the top of the trigger mechanism for 3 years & she would never have inflated it if she had fallen in.
Once sorted she tried again whilst looking down-- bad move
The bladder inflated alright, but snapped her head back with extreme force which hurt her neck. The part that went under her chin had a seam that cut her skin & drew blood.
That was whilst standing in the lounge.
In the water it would have been far worse because, even with the strap it would have worked up a bit.
Needless to say the LJ was consigned to the bin
I would suggest that , if possible one needs to inflate them & see how they fit under the chin & where the seam comes
Forget what make it was, but we do not have them on board anymore & changed the vistor's ones as well
Think it was Crewsaver
 
I bought a pair of Crewsaver Ergofit 190 Pros at the boat show a couple of years ago. Very comfortable, I must admit I don't even notice I'm wearing it most of the time.

If you can wait till Southampton, you may find a good deal, and get a chance to try the thing on before committing yourself.
 
philld said:
I bought a pair of Crewsaver Ergofit 190 Pros at the boat show a couple of years ago. Very comfortable, I must admit I don't even notice I'm wearing it most of the time.

If you can wait till Southampton, you may find a good deal, and get a chance to try the thing on before committing yourself.
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This does look nice. I'll see if I can find this and also the spin lock at the d Chandlers and try it on. Cheers all.
 
Minn said:
I just bought three Teamo Backtow lifejackets. At £220 each for the 175kn they are not cheap, but they do have an integral spray hood two crotch straps etc and the very important back tow feature. Going overboard whilst clipped on and promptly drowning while still attached is not my idea of fun.


https://www.teamomarine.com/
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I would not use a "back tow" feature. If you do go overboard and are towed on your back yes you will survive but there is no way yu will be able to get back to the boat if it continues sailing. Far better a front attach on a lifeline that will not allow you to go over the side. (keep it short). I have tried my harness front attach while the little boat was sailing at say 5 knots. My drag slowed it down to perhaps 4 knots. I certainly would drown pretty quickly with being dragged face first. I did mange to roll onto my back by holding the line but no I could not get back on the boat. It was only a test so crew stopped and I got back on. Certainly there is no joy being towed behind a boat by front or back attach. ol'will
 
Homer J said:
I bought some two years ago but am now wondering whether I should have bought the ones that turn you on your back if you fall in.
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I wonder what Homer is referring to. Any life jacket of the inflating type should have some bouyancy on the chest but mostly behind the head. This will ensure victim remains face up on his back even if unconscious. Homer should inflate his LJ at least once per year using a compressed air source or bike pump. It should remain inflated for 24 hrs then repack. All manufacturers have instructions on how to test. It will give confidence and familiarity.
Now if he is referring to what I call a buoyancy vest also called ski vest and used by canoeists this has foam flotation around the torso. It will aid in your swimming. They are not lifejackets in the sense where lifejackets are required by law to be carried. (and or worn). As around here. I have both types on my boat the manual inflatable types making the boat legal. However I prefer my self and so do the crew to wear the buoyancy vests. They are comfortable and keep you warm and give immediate buoyancy if you fall in while still enabling you to swim to rescue and climb the ladder. So if you are knocked unconscious and into the water you will float but still may drown. But very good if you get a quick recovery. ol'will
 
Alskade said:
Who said chivalry was dead! Tell you wife I think she is fantastic for going through with it...I would have handed it to the husband while reaching for the video camera .....:p
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Oh Yeah!!
It was her b..y LJ.
I suppose if the ship went down you would expect me to do the drowning bit for her instead
Not likely :ambivalence: Chivalry only goes so far.
Besides, she is the one with the insurance life policy:encouragement:
 
stu9000 said:
Any thoughts before I splash the cash?
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Take yourself to a shop and try them on.

Looking comfortable is NOT good enough. It might fit well on me but not you.

CHECK the length of Spinlock's manual pull - I set off one of their LJs at the London Boat Show, part of a demonstration, about 5 years go and needed arms a meter longer than mine are to set the thing off - a SERIOUS design flaw.
 
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