Lifejackets

AIDY

AIDY

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 Jan 2004
Messages
7,763
Location
Muckle Flugga
www.ybw.com
it's time to replace my lifejackets. has anyone done any homework on whats on the market recently ? what should i be buying manual / hammer / crutch strap and made by whom. maybe not seago as of the recall /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

My only thought at present is this time i want a horseshoe shaped jacket, they seemed to look more comfy round the neck than my current XM jackets that are folded at the top and sides with velcro.

any pointers would be most helpful.
 
My brand loyalty is to Crewsaver becasue I still have the first Crewsaver LJ I bought (now well over 20 years old), and when I check-inflate during the winter it still holds pressure for several days. It's now on standby rather than in active service, but since then all my subsequent LJs for the boat have been Crewsaver.

My specification for replacement would be the whole twenty seven feet - auto (but not fussed which triggering method), harness, crutch straps, sprayhood, light.
 
I'll put a word in for Adec Marine's own brand. I have just bought these in preference to the old crewsavers.

IMHO crotch straps and a sprayhood are a must. The Adec have these supplied as standard and in particular the sprayhood is built-in - rather like the hood on your oilies. I do have sprayhoods for the crewfits, but they come in a little pouch attached to the belt and I have no idea whether they work or not - I am sure they must be fiddly to put on.

Inflation wise I still go for Hammar - but I note that they have just reduced the service life of their triggers from 5 years to 2 /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
 
Yes crotch/thigh straps are a must, but you don't necessarily need to buy a jacket with them fitted. I use a sail tie, tied front and back, and between the legs.

The strap is so the jacket doesn't ride up when inflated: stops the waist belt ending up under your armpits. That way you'll float higher in the water and that helps keep your airway clear because your mouth and nose will be further from the wavelets.

That's my understanding anyway. They may also stop you falling out of the jacket when you're lifted out, but that's not their main function.
 
I am very new to sailing, and have just had buy 4 jackets. I did a load of research and after everything I went for the spinlock deckvest. They have an offer in June where you get a free safety line and emergency line cutter.

Modern technology vests, built in sprayhood, light etc

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Seago are good lfejackets. They are not all subject to recall. Only two specific batches. I think it does the manufacturer credit to accept there is a fault and then publicise it by recalling them for rectification. Remember that only recently The magazines voted Seago best in a number of areas.
 
I'm not arguing that Seago are no good and I think they have undertaken their recall quite responsibly, but the "two specific batches" are 18 months worth of continuous production from Q4 of 2005 through all of 2006 and Q1 of 2007.
 
thank you all for your help.....

I was looking at the ocean safety LJ at the weekend and it has a zip to hold the lung in place. does anyone know what happens to the zip when the LJ is inflated. does it unzip or does the zip break making the LJ not fit for use again ?
 
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