Lifejacket recommendations.

Koeketiene

Koeketiene

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Le Roussillon (South of France)
www.sailblogs.com
I sail singlehanded almost all of the time.
I have an older model Crewsaver lifejacket.
And even though I know I should, I find that I almost never wear it.
It's just annoying and I find it restricts my movements too much.

These days there seem to be more ergonomic lifejackets around.
I am looking for first hand recommendations for something which doesn't restricts movements.
Ideally, something that makes me feel like I'm not wearing a lifejacket.

Price is not the primary consideration here.
I'd rather pay a bit more for something I will actually wear than get a cheap and cheerful lifejacket I won't wear.

Many thanks.
 
When I chose a couple of years ago the choice was between crewsaver ergo fit or spinlock deck vest both really comfortable and easy to wear, eventually chose the crewsaver as got a deal and i found the double crutch strap more comfortable than the spinlock single strap
 
Daverw said:
When I chose a couple of years ago the choice was between crewsaver ergo fit or spinlock deck vest both really comfortable and easy to wear, eventually chose the crewsaver as got a deal and i found the double crutch strap more comfortable than the spinlock single strap
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crewsaver ergo fit for us - very comfortable - but different people find different jackets comfortable.
 
IMHO

Forget being towed behind if you are singlehanding. You are better off dead than being dragged for hours. Keep your deck line tight or hooked over a high place so you dont get in the water.

If you are wearing a lifejacket single handing at sea it is to give resuce services time to find you or to let your relatives benefit from a corpse. In both cases the important thing is to keep you upright and breathing and to enable you to shout. The best way of shouting is probably a PLB. The best way of breathing is at least 160 N buoyancy & a spray hood. Your lifejacket should allow you to push one of the new one PLBs inside and tie it on with a decent length of line so it can float alongside you.

Comfort is largely learned but despite my best efforts any of those round your legs two strap jock straps I find a nightmare whilst a single up the crack line is OK

dont have nightmares !!!
 
I am currently doing some shopping and have settled on an Ergofit 190 hammer.

Hammer as I hope not to inflate if being covered in waves upon waves or thrown in the punt.

190 as I can't see myself making any attempt to swim or get up a ladder in a 290.

Comes with hood, light and harness so the basics covered.

Edit...
(Having read the above posts I have just ordered it)
 
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I never found lifejackets annoying or restrictive until I tried a Spinlock Deckvest 5D and realised how much better it was. I used one on a delivery I did, and it was amongst the first things I bought when I got a boat of my own.
 
Koeketiene said:
Thanks for the recommendations everyone.

On my next visit to the local swindleries, I'll try a couple on.
The Ergofit or the Spinlock could be just the ticket.
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If you go for a Spinlock check the length of the manual pull cord. I demonstrated inflating a Spinlock a few years ago and would have needed arms that reached my knees for it to work. Not ideal if you are 'enjoying' an unexpected swim at 0400 hours and the LJ does not automatically inflate.

I wear an Ergofit.
 
I had a Crewsaver for years. At replacement time I tried their new model but found it rested high across my chest, I switched to a deck vest from Spinlock, found it very comfortable to wear and have it on nearly all the time.
 
I have an ergofit 190 auto with the 'tablet' rather than hammer type and very please with it. Find it comfortable to wear, though quite bulky round the back of the neck if you lie down for a nap .....
As others have suggested, try a few different makes on and go for one that is comfortable to wear.
 
I single hand a 24-foot trimaran most of the time. If kayaking whitewater or riding a dinghy in rough conditions, I wear a non-inflatable PFD. Drysuit if the water is cold.

If sailing and I feel the need (not most days) I wear a harness and use jacklines. It's more comfortable and I won't freeze in cold water (because I won't be in the water). As a singlehander, no one is coming to get me, and in cold water, they will certainly be too late even with a becon. I will always reach for the harness before the PFD, because if it's wild out there, I want to stay on the boat. If I have the harness, why do I need the PFD? If it is cold an nasty, wear a dry suit, in which case you really don't need the PFD (they float).

I have an inflatable. I hate the lump behind the neck, and I've tried them all. My choice. Jackline systems work well for singlehanders, because there is no one else to tangle around. With crew, they're more challenging.
 
“Comfortable” isn’t an adjective that I’d use to describe the wearing of a LJ. ?

For many years I wore a 275N Crewsaver but I replaced it a couple of seasons ago for a Spinlock Deckvest. It’s certainly less cumbersome but not really different from a 180N Crewsaver, my first purchase.

In UK waters, I wear it habitually as the RNLI tell us that it’s “useless unless worn”. A bit like a car seat belt, donning a LJ is a normal part of preparing for sea.

In our modern and enlightened times, I’m surprised that automatic inflation hasn’t been renamed “smart LJ”. Surely a marketing winner ?
 
Koeketiene said:
Thanks for the recommendations everyone.

On my next visit to the local swindleries, I'll try a couple on.
The Ergofit or the Spinlock could be just the ticket.
Click to expand...
What did you buy? I just bought a Spinlock Deckvest Lite+ and am very happy with it, except for the mesh bag storage they supply is much too small. Looks like they skimped on quality. When I told Spinlock they said you have to fold the lifejacket to put it in the bag but to me that feels wrong to keep folding such a nicely contoured lifejacket which could lead to problems over time.
 
I have Kru sport and find them comfortable and unobtrusive.

I've worn spinlock in the past and can't remember them being significantly better tbh. The modern 'tube' shape ones seem to be much better than older flatter designs.

I imagine comfort varies a bit with body shape, particularly shoulders and neck to trying a few on and buying the most comfortable is a good idea.
 
fifer said:
I have Kru sport and find them comfortable and unobtrusive.

I've worn spinlock in the past and can't remember them being significantly better tbh. The modern 'tube' shape ones seem to be much better than older flatter designs.

I imagine comfort varies a bit with body shape, particularly shoulders and neck to trying a few on and buying the most comfortable is a good idea.
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I decided not to buy Kru as they have a policy of not issuing repacking instructions saying they must be repacked by them or their agents. Yes, I know how to pack a LG but I objected to their policy.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
Plum said:
What did you buy? I just bought a Spinlock Deckvest Lite+ and am very happy with it, except for the mesh bag storage they supply is much too small. Looks like they skimped on quality. When I told Spinlock they said you have to fold the lifejacket to put it in the bag but to me that feels wrong to keep folding such a nicely contoured lifejacket which could lead to problems over time.
Click to expand...

Still not bought anything.
None of the local swindleries have any in stock.
They can order them for me, but I want to try one on before I buy.
 
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