Lifejacket recommendation – looking at Boat Show

[Wyndsong]

I’m in the market for a new lifejacket. I believe I’m looking for a 150N with hydrostatic operation, i.e. if the boom knocks me out and overboard, everything will happen automatically!

But, should I consider a 275N if I plan to do Channel Crossings?

Are there much difference between the manufacturers?

Thanks

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Wyndsong on 11/01/2004 22:18 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[StephenW]

Crewsaver Crewfit Plus - has virtually everything on it already.

275 for trans-Atlantic or very heavy duty sailing - suggest otherwise it's overkill

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[Mirelle]

I am sure that there are many good makers, but as a start I suggest that you have a good look at, and talk with, Crewsaver. They are the yottie brand name of Cosalts who make a lot of professional lifejackets and their staff on the stand (in my experience) seem to know both ranges, which is encouraging. They could certainly talk about 275 vs 150, for example.

<hr width=100% size=1>Que scais-je?

 

[whisper]

Suggest that anyone over about 15stone should go for 275 version. That probably means 75% of Mobo forumees and just 25% of raggie users./forums/images/icons/blush.gif
There have been a number of comparative tests done over the years by various mags. From memory, Baltic,XM and Crewsaver all came out ok re. rapidly turning the wearer over onto their back. Seem to remember also that some didn't work at all - frightening !

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[TheBoatman]

I like crewsver, but whichever jacket you buy make sure that you get one with crotch straps and also a face mask/hood.

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[spark]

I have recently bought 4 x manual with harness from www.gaelforce.net - their own branded ones. Better price than any I saw at the boat show. They also do auto inflating ones.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.qei.co.uk/spark.html>http://www.qei.co.uk/spark.html</A>

 

[bedouin]

Adec do a range - including an own brand that comes with Hood, Crotch straps and so on.

I don't like Crewsaver myself. I have a couple and they have a serious design flaw - the CO2 bottle inside the bladder has a tendency to come unscrewed, so it won't operate in an emergency. People have died because of that (this was highlighted in an MCA report last year).

I don't have much time for emergency equipment that is not 100% reliable - by the time you've found out it is usually too late to ask for your money back.

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[charles_reed]

150 N are for all normal coastal work - the 275 N is really if you're offshore, N Atlantic in winter when you're likely to be in full foul-weather gear plus wads of clothing.

I'd advise getting one with built-in harness (better to not fall overboard at all) and against one with auto inflation (always goes off in the most inconvenient place at the most inconvenient time).

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[charles_reed]

They\'ve sorted that problem

which was common with most of the CO2-inflated jackets

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[bedouin]

Re: They\'ve sorted that problem

The Crewsaver seem to be particularly prone to it - and because the CO2 bottle is inside the bladder you can't get to it to Loctite the thread.

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[charles_reed]

In fact the report

damned all the jackets who were using that particular valve (the majority).

I can get at my Crewsaver bottle and valve quite easily, just pull open the cover at port bottom.

I contacted them when the report was first published and got a very defensive spokeswoman who was adamant that every time you put the jacket on you should check the bottle was screwed hard up. About 12 months later I had an e-mail with an attached press-cutting about the mods.

What really bugs me is the price of a replacement - the cheapest I've got one for was €16. I always check-weigh all the bottles in my lifejackets at about 6-monthly intervals but have only once found one down on weight. The other replacement was the result of a most embarrassing incident about 40nM N of Donostia, when I got pinned between inners and mast whilst putting in reef 3 in an F7 snowstorm when the b***dy thing inflated itself.

Personally I reckon its better to use an harness and line and stay on the boat rather than ever test a lifejacket or liferaft.
But then that's probably because I sail single-handed most of the time.

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[Wyndsong]

Thanks everyone for your input.

Came back today with a Crewsaver 150N Plus, i.e. with harness light and hood.

Spent some time with the rep on the Crewsaver stand and I brought up the issue of the gas canister coming loose. He told that they are “locktighted” in and this should no longer be a problem.

However, I shall be keeping an eye on it though . . .


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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

On this subject of the loose cannisters, am I right in thinking that once you tighten these canisters up they are pierced, or do they only pierce when you trigger them.

Basically, when a cannister comes loose is it shot, my jackets are manual but the cannisters have the same principle.

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Top Cat Homepage</A>

 

[Mirelle]

Only when triggered.

<hr width=100% size=1>Que scais-je?

 

[jackho]

When I purchased a couple of new lifejackets at the boatshow last year I was astounded to find that there does not appear to be a standard side for the release mechanism. I only discovered this when I was lining up a new crew person - much to my shame a long time afterwards. In other words some manufacturers seem to fit Left side and others Right side.
I reply to suggest that you consider having the release pulls or mechanisms all to the same side for practical safety reasons.
Hope this helps - Also do any readers have a similar problem and need to look to find out??

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