Life Jacket's - whats recommended

nickcred

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Life Jacket\'s - whats recommended

Hi All

I am looking tp purchase two adult life jackets and have been viewing the huge variety available. They are for use on the Thames.

We currently have 2 XM Quickfit autogas jackets that are fairly comfortable and unobtrusive but need to add a couple more. I like the look of the Baltic winner 150 but then came across a similar jacket on Compass. Confusion reigns what would the panel recommended as a reasonably priced, decent quality life jacket of this type.

Thanks
Nick
 

Jonny_H

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Re: Life Jacket\'s - whats recommended

We went for the Seago jackets - you can get two jackets with a rearming kit for each for around £90 if you search.

They are comfortable and get a good write up in most of the recent tests.

You can also buy lights, hoods, and crotch straps for them if you wish.

Agree there's a lot to choose from - you can spend £30 to £150 on one!

Just my humble opinion obviously!!

Jonny
 

mitchc

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Re: Life Jacket\'s - whats recommended

Just bought 2 x Seago olympic 175n jackets with hoods, lights and crotch straps.
Very comfy, not got in the way (yet). Very happy.
See here: Seago Lifejackets
 

gandy

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Re: Life Jacket\'s - whats recommended

I suggest you make sure your new lifejackets use the same inflater and re-arming kit as your existing ones. As well as helping with spares, it means for briefing etc that there's no confusion about how the lifejackets work.
 

nickcred

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Re: Life Jacket\'s - whats recommended

Thanks Jonny, Mitch and Gandy

Have found a deal for 2 x auto Seago's with free re- arm kits on Marine Scene for £86.99 incl delivery which seems the cheapest deal (well that I could find anyhow)

Cheers
Nick
 

Gin

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Re: Life Jacket\'s - whats recommended

Just a thought in a different direction, and no slight intended.

If you exclusively use the upper Thames? then do you really need to go to these lengths- if your crew goes over the side, there's no current/tide to be really concerned about and it's not far to the bank- also since unconsciousness is unlikely to be an issue, then why not just rely on buoyancy aids like dinghy sailors, and these work as a thermal layer on board too?
 

nickcred

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Re: Life Jacket\'s - whats recommended

Hi and thanks, no slight taken. Went through the same thought process myself. One is for growing - soon to be bigger than me- teenage son, whose confidence borders on the I fear nothing side of life and the other as a spare for when we have guests on board. Also on Mon/Weds this week the flow of the river meant the red boards were up and the ducks were travelling past at 15 mph lol without paddling /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif We also saw some poor chap fall into the lock and it took a while for them to hook him out. With these two incidents in mind and the only way to get No 1 son to wear one is to be in one myself I thought the small investment worthwhile.

Be interested in others opinions as well. So often see fairly young kids jackletless even in strong stream conditions?

Cheers

Nick
 
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