C08
Well-Known Member
I have one intended to be toggled onto my LJ. It is uncomfortable to wear and would be hard to employ in practice-are these things any good and are some makes better than others, perhaps I have a poor brand?
Lifejacket sprayhoods
- Thread starter C08
- Start date
Sticky Fingers
Well-Known Member
My LJs have sprayhoods 'built in'. Never used in anger but the LJ is very comfortable to wear and the sprayhood packs inside the shell along with the bladder and other gubbins (I think that's the technical term 
for all that other stuff). Also, toggling a sprayhood on once you've fallen in seems improbably difficult.
So my point I suppose is that you can buy products that are comfy and operate automatically.
for all that other stuff). Also, toggling a sprayhood on once you've fallen in seems improbably difficult.So my point I suppose is that you can buy products that are comfy and operate automatically.
duncan99210
Well-Known Member
Like Scala our lifejackets have integrated hoods which are donned by grasping two handles to pull forward over your head. Easy to do after inflation and comfortable to wear uninflated. Aftermarket hoods tend to be too much of a compromise in both stowage and donning but are better than no hoods, which have a proven benefit in improving breathing and slowing heat loss from the head.
C08
Well-Known Member
Right so my hood is an aftermarket add on which may explain my reservation about it. I will look into a new LJ with an integral hood - any recommendations on makes to go for?
Dipper
Well-Known Member
My aftermarket hoods are bulky and make the lifejackets a bit uncomfortable. I too may look at a new jacket with integrated hood so will be interested in the replies.
Apparently lifejackets tend to turn you face on to the waves so hoods reduce the risk of drowning.
Apparently lifejackets tend to turn you face on to the waves so hoods reduce the risk of drowning.
[70521]
Well-Known Member
I use Crewsavers after trying out a Spinlock at the London Boat Show a few years back and found a design flaw in it, you needed arms six feet long to manually inflate them!
The trick is to go to a shop and try them all on and choose the one that you feel fit you best; if a Spinlock check you can inflate it with a tug to the toggle and not have to faf about with the string. (Yes, I know that 99.99% of the time it will inflate automatically).
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
The RNLI have a stall at SIBS and probably at London as well giving free advice and trials of some popular brands. We bought crewsavers after talking to them complete with built in sprayhood and light. ( These two are essential IMO if more than tootling around inshorr)
anoccasionalyachtsman
Well-Known Member
Seago Active Pro 190 have them built in, and I bought them after reading a test report which found favourably. 'Fraid I can't remember where it was though.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Another vote for Seago - but you have to look at what is on offer and try them on before you make your decision.
Andibs
Well-Known Member
Another vote for Seago. I find mine very comfortable
duncan99210
Well-Known Member
We have the Kru Sport Pro with harness; that model has the built in spray hood. But it really is an individual thing, you need to try on jackets and see which suits you and your sailing. And don't forget a crutch strap: the MAIB report reckoned that the lack of these straps was a factor in the loss of the Ouzo crew.
Sticky Fingers
Well-Known Member
I've got the Seago Active Pro 190, they have sprayhood, light, harness and crotch straps. Choice of colours and a good price from Force 4, other retailers available. Very comfy whilst worn, easy to put on and remove. I tried afew different ones and I liked these but others may differ.
Dipper
Well-Known Member
I haven't tried them on but I've just ordered two Seago Active Pro 190 autos with spray hoods, lights and crutch straps from Jimmy Green. At the Black Friday price of £75 each it was too good an offer to miss.
Thanks folks for the recommendations.
Thanks folks for the recommendations.
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ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
The usual advice is to try before you buy. Hopefully, JG will swap them if you find them uncomfortable. I found my Crewsaver 190s noticeably heavier than my previous 150s.
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
One needs to inflate the jackets as well. My wife once inflated a Crewsaver & it inflated so fast it jerked her head back & the part that went under her chin had a seam that cut her chin & drew blood. In the inflated state it was extremely uncomfortable as the seam stuck into the soft skin under the jaw bone.
That was in our lounge ( she refused to strip off & get in the bath!!!!!) & only for a short test. If she had been in the water it would have forced under her chin even more.
My son & I persuaded her to do this as a test when we thought a canister was looking a bit corroded.
We also found that the pull cord was wrapped around the valve. We would never have worked out why it did not work if we had needed to use it in the water. So check that the pull cord is hanging free. We now keep the Crewsaver ones as visitor jackets.
That was in our lounge ( she refused to strip off & get in the bath!!!!!) & only for a short test. If she had been in the water it would have forced under her chin even more.
My son & I persuaded her to do this as a test when we thought a canister was looking a bit corroded.
We also found that the pull cord was wrapped around the valve. We would never have worked out why it did not work if we had needed to use it in the water. So check that the pull cord is hanging free. We now keep the Crewsaver ones as visitor jackets.
Sticky Fingers
Well-Known Member
That's a great price. I have four of these. Very happy with them.
Dipper
Well-Known Member
My lifejackets arrived today despite only paying for the cheapest delivery available.
So far I'm very impressed. They have a lot of clever design features and seem comfortable to wear uninflated. Donning and adjustment is very easy which is what I have always found difficult with every other lifejacket that I have worn.
I ordered two different colours so that it's easy to tell which one has been worn by which person. I wish I had done this before instead of always ordering the same colour. Mind you, they are so easy to adjust that it's not that important anymore.
So far I'm very impressed. They have a lot of clever design features and seem comfortable to wear uninflated. Donning and adjustment is very easy which is what I have always found difficult with every other lifejacket that I have worn.
I ordered two different colours so that it's easy to tell which one has been worn by which person. I wish I had done this before instead of always ordering the same colour. Mind you, they are so easy to adjust that it's not that important anymore.
[70521]
Well-Known Member
You will find that a lifejacket in water won't inflate that quickly! I've inflated two in my time one in air, one in the water - the water inflation took at least three times longer!
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
I cannot comment on that, but it will certainly push upwards more on the body , thus pushing harder on the chin. Simply because there will always be a little slack in the straps around the wearers body & in the take up due to compression of the clothing. I am sure that the average wearer does not do the crutch strap that tight that he/she cannot speak, so that will allow the jacket to ride up an inch or two.
Sticky Fingers
Well-Known Member
I did that too, red for me, blue for Mrs Scala and grey for 'guests'.
