Lifejacket

[GEM43]

What I’ve been thinking of as my “new” lifejacket is in fact fifteen years old. Time for new. The recent YM lifejacket review rates the Mustang Atlas 190 very highly. It’s a manufacturer that we’re not familiar with in the UK, it’s Canadian apparently and has previously not been in the leisure market. Anyone bought and used one of these jackets? I’d be interested to hear of real user experience with it.

 

[William_H]

15 years old may be OK. Have you inflated it and checked for condition. Not so old to my mind. I check club manual LJs, 14 of them each year all over 15 years old. seem good to me. ol'will

 

[MADRIGAL]

Mustang inflatables are widely used and well-regarded in Canada. I had not realised that they were available in the UK. My wife and I each have one and although we have managed to avoid Man Overboard situations, I do inflate them with the inflation tube for an annual test and after 5 years they still hold air overnight.

 

[KompetentKrew]

Looking at pics I find it hard to believe the Mustang Atlas is more comfortable than a Spinlock Deckvest.

I recommend you go into a shop and try them both on.

 

[Stemar]

I thought the same about our Adec LJs, which are 17 years old, but the innards still look as good as new, the only sign of age is a bit of wear on the cover, which is separate from the float. On the RTI, it's what I chose to wear rather than the new ones, mainly because I blew it when ordering new ones and got them without harness, though with a cat, that's perhaps less important than on a half-boat.

 

[GEM43]

Thanks all, useful guidance.

 

[GEM43]

Looking at pics I find it hard to believe the Mustang Atlas is more comfortable than a Spinlock Deckvest.

I recommend you go into a shop and try them both on.

Here's the link to the YM review, they do rank the Spinlock ahead of the Mustang. I suspect which is more comfortable is dependent upon body shape, I rather fancy that the Mustang might better suit me. I will try to test fit both to prove the theory.

https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/gear/best-lifejackets-under-300-for-boaters-sailors-73284

 

[KompetentKrew]

I didn't imagine there would be any difference in comfort until I borrowed a Deckvest - I thought that that expensive lifejackets were just about looking flashy, but I realised my mistake immediately. I continued borrowing whatever LJ was available until I got my own boat and then immediately bought a 5D, the current model at the time.

You're probably right that it's a matter of body shape and personal preference though.

If you're in the Solent area Marine Super Store in PortSolent might have some last year's models available at discount.

 

[mrangry]

I cant speak for the mustang but me and the crew all have deck vests and they are comfortable and dont get in the way. I have yet to fall over the side while wearing it though

 

[penberth3]

15 years old may be OK. Have you inflated it and checked for condition. Not so old to my mind. I check club manual LJs, 14 of them each year all over 15 years old. seem good to me. ol'will

Here we go again, "may be" OK. Because people on the internet know more than the manufacturers. FFS!!!

 

[Stemar]

Someone on the internet can't say more than may be OK, any more than the maker can. So much depends on the life it's led. An LJ used daily in tough conditions might be knackered after a year or two, while one stored in dry conditions and well maintained is likely to be good after 20. Mine are getting on a bit, but the innards and the straps are in good condition and in date, so I'm confident they'll do the job.

 

[Hermit]

Worth a check on LIFEJACKETS Teamo Lifejackets. They have re-stocked and, while my son has one and says it is comfortable, the huge advantage is the reverse tow for the tether IMHO.

 

[Sandy]

Worth a check on LIFEJACKETS Teamo Lifejackets. They have re-stocked and, while my son has one and says it is comfortable, the huge advantage is the reverse tow for the tether IMHO.

Reading the website I was shocked by the following statement.

After inflation, the wearer manually pulls the large BackTow handle that is available on top of the right hand lung. The wearer is then turned in to a face-up seated position in the water and they are towed alongside the vessel safely.

I thought their unique selling point was that they automatically turned you round. Reading the text, not if you are unconscious! No sign of a wedgie crutch strap in any of the photos.

 

[Refueler]

Here we go again, "may be" OK. Because people on the internet know more than the manufacturers. FFS!!!

Here we go again .... H&SE rears its head again ....

Very few Manufacturers actually state an EXPIRY date ... many advise a REPLACEMENT date ... Why ?

as Stemar rightly says - depends on use and how stored ...

My LJ's are over 15yrs old ... 2 are near 20 in fact ... only one actually showed signs of age .... and guess what .. that was the auto inflate pellet had given up from humidity + time. The jacket was tested by using its ORIGINAL gas cylinder ... yes ORIGINAL gas cylinder (checkweighed each year of course) .... LJ inflated when manually set off ... stayed inflated fully for next 24hrs ... with no reduction at all ... was deflated and one day I will order new pellet for it ...

If I was subjecting my LJ's to rough and tumble conditions - then my regime with them would change accordingly ...