Lifejackets

[brokethebox]

I'm looking to buy an offshore lifejacket, but there seems to be a range of makes on the market, and the crewsaver ones seem to be about double the price of the rest.

Can any of you help with my choice, and what sort of thing should i be looking for in a good lifejacket?

Cheers

James

 

[Steve Clayton]

Hello James, (and welcome)

Rated 150N, you will also require a crotchstrap. Decision is yours regarding sprayhood (I consider this a must have), light, and whistle.

Have a look at the Seago range. Decide for yourself whether you want auto-inflating or manual inflating if you go into the water.

I guess a lot more advice from others to come!

 

[brokethebox]

yeah, i've done a seasons sailing last year with a sail training organisation who use crewsavers, and i've been looking lately for something of my own.

I agree that crutchstraps and harness are vital, and i got the rya/mca sea survival ticket last week where they certainly recommend the sprayhood.

My main confusion lies in are there any differences between the various makes in regard to reliability, safety, comfort, life?

Cheers for your hints,

James

 

[scarlett]

Ocean Safety is comfortable.

 

[iangrant]

Re: Lifejackets No contest Crewsaver

I think the RNLI did some fairly detailed research before they decided on the standard fit for their crews!!!- Crewsaver 150, hood, light, crotch straps (done up tight try it in a pool sea survival course) and whistle - So, thanks for that RNLI, they'll be good enough for me. Oh and the auto ones do go off in an emergency! See aged post of mine thanking them..

Ian

 

[gerry99]

I have always selected Crewsaver ever since i was accidentally washed overboard in a gale in the English Channel at 4 am! Fortunately I was hooked on to the jackstay and the Auto Inflate Crewsaver had me back on the surface in no time at all. They may be expensive but then quality doesn't come cheap and from personal experience it was worth the money!

 

[bigmart]

In general I would agree with you. My only reservation is the Crewsaver Spray Hood.

What a dead loss that piece of equipment is.

Martin

 

[AndyL]

Sent you a message - click on the flashing icon at the top.
Cheers, Andy

 

[Stemar]

I'd suggest trying before you buy. I've used some lifejackets where the harness is so stiff, it's a real struggle to do the buckle up. When I was looking (for coastal use, so the hood's less important) I found These people. I've found their jackets comfortable and easy enough to put on that I bother before leaving the cockpit. Oh, and they work. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif The one that went swimming one windy day inflated promptly and correctly! The recharge kits are a sensible price too.

 

[snowleopard]

I have 5 from Cheap Lifejackets. I bought them about 4 years ago and they are all the hammar type which is now considered unreliable. Re-arming kits have jumped fro £10 to £29.

Their crutch straps are just a strap that buckles into a loop at either end and threads over the belt of the harness, crude but effective. There is no way to attach a hood.

 

[ean_p]

Re: Hammar unreliable !........Whats this then?

Hi Chris ...so what is the problem with them.......thought that they were about the only unit that wouldn't go off in a good drenching even though this made em slightly slow to inflate on immersion.

Ian p.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Unfortunately I am constrained to buying via mail order and so I cannot examine before buying. I am tempted by the XM Quickfit but I only know them from advertisements on PBO. Would anybody offer some opinions please?
Fair Winds!

 

[snowleopard]

Re: Hammar unreliable !........Whats this then?

The Hammar operates by a hydrostatic valve which lets the water into a pellet that in turn dissolves. the theory is that it requires both a pressure rise and the presence of water. In practice there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that they can fail to go off in a real emergency.

Apart from the fact that they prevent accidental inflation in humid lockers, they have the benefit that the gas cylinder is inside the bladder so is not subject to rusting as all the others are. As a result it is important to avoid getting moisture inside the bladder so if you do a test inflation, use a dinghy pump, do not inflate by mouth!

 

[snowleopard]

Going back to Stemar's recommendation of 'Cheap Lifejackets', who now have a website, their products are visibly cheaper quality than people like crewsaver, for example the inflatable bladder has raw edges rather than piped sewing, but I have worn mine for literally thousands of miles and it is filthy but when I did a test inflation it was 100%. With auto + harness at under £50 it'll do for me, especially as I have to equip for a crew of 7!

 

[l'escargot]

I have had a couple of manual XM Quickfit with harness for 4 or 5 years now. No problems and good value for money.

 

[whisper]

I've had 2 for atleast 8 yrs. Both are comfortable and still work - 1 auto, 1 manual, both with crotch straps.