life jackets - make/size/options

[stefan_r]

looking to renew my life jacket and have a few questions / observations. I am a motor boater (but still a nice bloke) and am undertaking some quite lengthy offshore passages (e.g. Minorca>Sardinia) but mostly will be less than 50 miles from the coast.

--As a motor boater (i.e. no chance of getting knocked unconscious by a flying boom) is Hammar type necessarily the best option? hopefully i am only going to be swimming to a liferaft and actually swimming in a deflated jacket seems a better bet. Worst case scenario i just manually inflate. This isn't a cost thing - just practical use...

--150N seems standard - any reason i should go for a 275N, there's no cost difference (i have read why 275N - heavy clothes etc but what's practical use's perspective ?)

--Crewsaver seem 'good', lots of products and supplier to RNLI...any disagreement / better option ?


<hr width=100% size=1>mailto: stefan@athito.com

 

[Talbot]

As a personal opinion, the 275 has merit if you are wearing lots of cloths, or are very heavy, but the bulk severely constrains movement by comparison with the 150. Furthermore I much prefer a manual lifejacket.

IMHO it is more important to have a proper face mask fitted as you are more likely to drown from the blown sprat/splash tha anything else.

 

[Solitaire]

Could not agree more. 275 is a must for a heavy build or continuos off shore or rough weather. I had a guy on a Level 2 PB course earlier in the year - he weighed 24 stone - suggested he got a 275 newton jacket. I wear a 150 Crewsaver manual, but when I'm sailing I use a hammer release. In terms of the sprayhood - that in my view is the most importantt factor, toegther with crotch straps. Anybody who has done a sea survival course will know their importance. So in summary, 150 newton manual with spray hood and crotch strap - and you might as well get the harness model. Never know!

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/solitaire>Some pictures</A>

 

[Hardley]

This subject was discussed in great detail on 5/3/2004 under the heading "Lifejacket Advice Needed" take a look at it.

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