Looking for a flattering buoyancy aid for the female form...

[Greenheart]

Okay, first (and probably last) time I'll ask a question like this.

SWMBO's contribution to my boating budget is about to take a sudden rise...she's offered to buy our life-preservers.

I think I'll maintain her interest in the idea much longer if they're of a subtle, slim-line design, rather than a bulbous doughnut of orange foam.

I don't need telling that the way they look isn't what matters...but is there a particular maker which adds slick styling to their buoyancy aids?

I'm thinking of a 50-Newton type as best for our needs.

When I was a kid, I had an awful artlessly-designed one with great thick lumps of foam. Decades later I had a much neater, narrower one, which unfortunately I haven't seen since the 'nineties. I'd imagined that the simple bulky ones had stopped being made, on aesthetic grounds, but I see they're still available...like a fluorescent fat-suit. Not good. Any recommendations?

 

[Lakesailor]

She could have them installed......

 

[Greenheart]

I 'knew' a 150 Newton girl from San Diego, back in the 'nineties...

 

[wadget]

http://www.gul.com/buoyancy-aids/gul-womens-garda-buoyancy-aid_gm0162-a2icsi-s.html

Meant to be designed for specifically for women. I think in real terms this means a bit more space around the chest.

 

[ianat182]

The latest versions of summer wetsuits and a correct size buoyancy aid would have the benefits of both worlds particularly for dinghy sailing; the wetsuits are multicoloured and figure flattering for the size 10's and above; more importantly they keep you warm if the inevitable happens; plus a few favourable compliments from you will help the choices!

ianat182

 

[AMCD300]

If you are looking for something more than just a bouyancy aid I am about to purchase one of these for my wife. She already has natural built-in 'bouyancy' a-la Lakesailor's idea, but unfortunately this makes wearing more traditional lifejackets uncomfortable or just ungainly. She agrees, wearing a normal bouyancy aid makes you look like a US Marine circa 1944.....

Having done a bit of research and spoken to people who own them we are going for a Spinlock Deckvest, such as this model:

http://www.force4.co.uk/9748/Spinlock-Deckvest-5D-170N-Auto-Lifejacket.html

It is ergonomically more sympathetic to ladies and although pricey, I would rather buy something she enjoys wearing when she needs to.

Andy

 

[Greenheart]

http://www.force4.co.uk/9748/Spinlock-Deckvest-5D-170N-Auto-Lifejacket.html

It is ergonomically more sympathetic to ladies and although pricey, I would rather buy something she enjoys wearing when she needs to.

Ouch! Pricey? That's almost more than the boat cost! Sorry about smilies dotted here and there...very hard to put them in the right place, on a phone.

 

[AMCD300]

Ouch! Pricey? That's almost more than the boat cost! Sorry about smilies dotted here and there...very hard to put them in the right place, on a phone.

I said it was pricey

 

[Lakesailor]

I think that buoyancy aids are more suitable for dinghy sailors who will want to move about in the water and regain the boat after a capsize.

 

[viago]

She could have them installed......

blimey man, that didn't take long. i thought that this thread seemed a bit suspect.

this should do the trick:

available from xray supplies ltd.

 

[spynappels]

blimey man, that didn't take long. i thought that this thread seemed a bit suspect.

this should do the trick:

available from xray supplies ltd.

Was the idea not to help the OPs significant other float? From memory, those xray things are bl**dy heavy!

 

[Twister_Ken]

A Mae West, surely?

 

[Greenheart]

A Mae West, surely?

Good grief! All these decades hearing about air crews wearing 'Mae Wests' and it never occurred to me why they were called that.

View attachment 31511

 

[Lakesailor]

The Best of West