Sandy
Well-known member
The chap in the video clearly has no idea about the function of "wedgie straps", they are not there to assist when being lifted. They are there so the LJ does not ride up.
Lifejacket recommendations
- Thread starter Bobc
- Start date
lustyd
Well-known member
I thought that too when I tried one on recently to replace my old Deckvest. Then I tried the new Deckvest and there's no contest. TeamO are as comfortable as a gen 1 Deckvest (the type I used to have) but suffer all the same issues like back of neck. The new Deckvest fixes all of these and adds a bunch of improvements so unless you're really bought into the backtow thing then Deckvest is better in my opinion from a comfort perspective.
Daydream believer
Well-known member
I use my spinlock deckvest when offshore on my cruiser. It has all the features plus a pouch for PLB & miniflares which I bought as an extra. One feature I like is that I can adjust the waist band quickly when i change my jacket. I can take the jacket off if warm & tighten the straps in seconds. Most LJs do not have this facility & are hopelessly fiddly. However, i wear the LJ from the minute I depart until I dock & it is a little heavy. But i do sail SH.
On my launch when working on moorings I am usually with someone else & being in the river I do not feel the need for hood, light, PLB etc. So I have a Seago & it is far more comfortable than the Spinlock & at £60 a lot cheaper if it gets damaged on a mooring etc.. Also I do not usually change my gear whilst working, so the adjustability is not an issue
Some years ago we noticed my wife's Crewsaver inflator bottle looked a little corroded. we decided to have it serviced. before sending it back My son & I decided that my wife should try it on & inflate it so she would know what it was like.
We could not get her to strip off & sit in the bath but she stood in the lounge fully clad. She pulled the cord & nothing happened. more tugging & nothing. on inspection we found that the cord was round the bottle so would never pull straight down .
I strongly suggest everyone check theirs
Once we sorted this a quick tug & it inflated instantly. It did so with such force that it jerked her head back ( she was looking down as she would be if in the water) The part that went under her chin had a welded seam that stood proud & drew blood . Furthermore if she had been in the water it would have rubbed under her chin & have caused some distress.
We decided to not have it serviced, but get her a new LJ.
Since then, I have inflated all my crew & visitors LJs & found 2 visitor Crewsaver & one Baltic ones to be defective. Admitedly after 14/15 years. However, we had changed the bottles at the due date as well as the auto inflate mechanisms. they just leaked air when left in the house over 24 hours. They have been stored in dry conditions on the boat & at home over the winter.
Shops will probably not let one inflate the LJ in a shop but I suggest you look at others ljs first when buying & ask around first. Perhaps see if you can unpack & check ease of packing & seam positions. Look at ease of donning in an emergency if you do not intend to wear 24/7 on the boat. See how it rubs on the back of the neck. Check for lumps in the webbing in the centre of your back. If you sit against the cabin bulkhead & have a knot in the centre of your spine for hours on end it can be annoying & the crotch straps do sometimes form a horrible joint at this point. See if a pouch can be fitted for later use of a PLB
On my launch when working on moorings I am usually with someone else & being in the river I do not feel the need for hood, light, PLB etc. So I have a Seago & it is far more comfortable than the Spinlock & at £60 a lot cheaper if it gets damaged on a mooring etc.. Also I do not usually change my gear whilst working, so the adjustability is not an issue
Some years ago we noticed my wife's Crewsaver inflator bottle looked a little corroded. we decided to have it serviced. before sending it back My son & I decided that my wife should try it on & inflate it so she would know what it was like.
We could not get her to strip off & sit in the bath but she stood in the lounge fully clad. She pulled the cord & nothing happened. more tugging & nothing. on inspection we found that the cord was round the bottle so would never pull straight down .
I strongly suggest everyone check theirs
Once we sorted this a quick tug & it inflated instantly. It did so with such force that it jerked her head back ( she was looking down as she would be if in the water) The part that went under her chin had a welded seam that stood proud & drew blood . Furthermore if she had been in the water it would have rubbed under her chin & have caused some distress.
We decided to not have it serviced, but get her a new LJ.
Since then, I have inflated all my crew & visitors LJs & found 2 visitor Crewsaver & one Baltic ones to be defective. Admitedly after 14/15 years. However, we had changed the bottles at the due date as well as the auto inflate mechanisms. they just leaked air when left in the house over 24 hours. They have been stored in dry conditions on the boat & at home over the winter.
Shops will probably not let one inflate the LJ in a shop but I suggest you look at others ljs first when buying & ask around first. Perhaps see if you can unpack & check ease of packing & seam positions. Look at ease of donning in an emergency if you do not intend to wear 24/7 on the boat. See how it rubs on the back of the neck. Check for lumps in the webbing in the centre of your back. If you sit against the cabin bulkhead & have a knot in the centre of your spine for hours on end it can be annoying & the crotch straps do sometimes form a horrible joint at this point. See if a pouch can be fitted for later use of a PLB
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dunedin
Well-known member
This post looks to be a good argument as to why we are supposed to do an annual inspection / check / service and the repack of all life jackets.
If worn regularly the outer cover tends to get worn after 6-8 years so we tend to move to secondary role after 5 years or so, and bin and replace after 10-12 years
awol
Well-known member
Which make of life jacket has date limited gas bottles?
Bobc
Well-known member
Exactly why I'm asking for experience of others, because I don't have the ability to do this myself.
James_Calvert
Well-known member
If you can't visit a chandlery, suggest a visit to a Boat show would be even better. And stay with your current lifejackets until you can.
Kukri
Well-known member
I don’t think the whistle is there for you to play tunes on, and I’m not entirely sure that the light is for reading a book while you wait to be rescued.
I do think the narrator is having a bit of fun, and I did smile.
Sandy
Well-known member
I wonder what book would be best? Jaws perhaps.
Daverw
Well-known member
Back to the op, when we looked at upgrading our original basic bought when we first got the boat LJs we drove 4 hours to the south coast to enable us to try many on, we both ended up with different makes and designs, I found a few comfortable but SWMBO only found one due to certain body shape differences to me. Learnt that I would never try an choose any such item or clothing for her, too complicate. Even to colour made a differenc.
Daydream believer
Well-known member
As far as I am aware, all the bottles ( I could be wrong, of course), inc replacements are date stamped. One needs to check at purchase. Some are so finely engraved it needs a magnifying glass, but they have a year & month. I cannot recall if they have the weight as well.
Plum
Well-known member
I have just checked six bottles of varying manufacturer and all clearly show the Minimum Gross Weight. Only four have what I assume is a month/year (expressed as for example 08/15) which I assume is the date of manufacture. If there is no corrosion and the weight is still correct I don't see any need to replace them.
Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
Daydream believer
Well-known member
I could not put up a viable arguement against that. However, when my LJs have been returned to test centres- including my last one to Spinnlock some years ago- for service, they have all had new bottles fitted. Of course that may just be the test centre covering their rear. If there is any sign of corrosion on the bottle surface, that would suggest possible damage to the LJ as well, so I would certainly look deeper into the issue.
I know it seems unnecessary to send a lifejacket for testing, but I carry 3 spares for vistors- Not that I have any very often being a SH sailor 95% of the time- I feel it prudent to be reasonably certain that I am not issuing a faulty LJ to them.
awol
Well-known member
I'm confused about your reports of your lifejacket testing regime. "my last one to Spinnlock some years ago" suggests it has not been tested since, also your assertion that CO2 bottles have expiry dates. I too sail SH for most of my mileage but my 6 lifejackets are inflated every year and left for ~ a week, the bottles removed and weighed and the actuators replaced if dated during the coming season. I also lightly grease the bottles and pop a plastic bag over them.
However, I very seldom wear one as it can be more of a nuisance than anything else - but it depends on the wind, seastate, day/night, and crew.
Lightwave395
Well-known member
The backtow looks interesting, my crew and I use Spinlock, she has a Deckvest Lite which she always wears and finds very comfortable, I have an original Spinlock/Pretzl which is a bit fiddly to wear but very comfortable and secure once it's on. To my embarrassment I tend to only wear it at night when solo or in bad weather. My LJ is getting old but is regularly tested and in full working order as Spinlock are but a mile away.
We do have a couple of 'ordinary' Crewsaver LJ's onboard for guests, having just gone through the test and inspection round I do notice how expensive recharging bottles seem to be so I take great care of them. I pulled the cord last week on a rusty 8 year old cylinder last week and it still inflated OK.
We do have a couple of 'ordinary' Crewsaver LJ's onboard for guests, having just gone through the test and inspection round I do notice how expensive recharging bottles seem to be so I take great care of them. I pulled the cord last week on a rusty 8 year old cylinder last week and it still inflated OK.
Daydream believer
Well-known member
Well you can stay confused. There is a simple explanation but this is not a court of law
If a bottle has a manufacturing date, then it stands to reason there is an expiry date at some time in the future.. Otherwise why put a manufacturing date?
I was not putting up for any arguments with anyone. Only making comments based on my own observations .
You can read, or ignore at will. That is your perogative. Some may find my comments of use some may not. To each his own.
Same as for wearing LJ's. but that is not the subject of this thread ( other than how it might relate to comfort), & has been done to death many times before.
dunedin
Well-known member
Well you can stay confused. There is a simple explanation but this is not a court of law
If a bottle has a manufacturing date, then it stands to reason there is an expiry date at some time in the future.. Otherwise why put a manufacturing date?
I was not putting up for any arguments with anyone. Only making comments based on my own observations .
You can read, or ignore at will. That is your perogative. Some may find my comments of use some may not. To each his own.
Same as for wearing LJ's. but that is not the subject of this thread ( other than how it might relate to comfort), & has been done to death many times before.
The manufacturing date can be used if necessary to identify faulty items if needed for a recall. It does not imply any expiry date. As others have noted, the guidance is to check for rust and weigh, comparing to weight stamped on side.
From your posts it doesn’t sound like you do annual servicing / checks on your life jackets, that most would consider prudent
Poignard
Well-known member
I bet you wear them going through the lock at Arzal! Otherwise Franck the lock-keeper will have your guts for garters.
PetiteFleur
Well-known member
Definitely visit a chandlery and try on several makes and buy the comfortable one - particularly for your wife. I have a Seago auto and my wife has another make, can't remember the make. Her one cost about £100 from memory. All checked over winter, inflated ad checked. My Seago worked fine when I fell into the river whilst getting into the dinghy...
grumpy_o_g
Well-known member
That's a good price for a Spinlock but I, like other who seems to like the Kru, find them quite uncomfortable. I think LJ's have to be tried on - what suits hubbie may not suit wifie apart from anything else. Cost of a light, etc. also needs to be factored in when comparing prices too. Some may have things standard others don't.