Recommendation for a lifejacket

[ylop]

Question : Is it so hard or difficult to re-arm / repack a LJ ???

No - the rearming kits is a standard UML one and the lifejackets with burst zips (not unique to Ocean Safety) come with instructions from YKK on how to open/reset the zip.

 

[wonkywinch]

 

[Refueler]

Have to admit that all my LJ's have Velcro not 'burst zips' ....

 

[Stemar]

I replaced our LJs a year or two ago year because the old ones were 20 years old and the straps were getting stiff, making putting them on awkward. The new ones have burst zips, They were a faff at first, but not so hard once you've figured them out. Of course, I've forgotten again now, so more faff next year.

After all, it would never do for a bloke to RTFM

 

[Refueler]

I thought Guys DO RTFM ... its only women that don't ??

 

[Stemar]

I thought Guys DO RTFM ... its only women that don't ??

Women don't need to - they know everything already

 

[seeSimon]

Yes, I find them VERY comfortable. I’ve used the Spinlock (when regular race crew on another boat) but found that they cramped the back of my neck and the crotch straps always hung loose and snagged when I knelt; and yes, the LJ was adjusted for me. I don’t seem to have this problem with my TeamO LJ and of course, there’s the USP of the BackTow system. Before TeamO, I had Crewsaver Ergofit and found those very comfortable too. I guess a lot depends on personal shape and choice so ‘try before you buy’.

I haven’t tried this though (yet):

Another vote for the Teamo.

As I regularly single hand, imho, it's a no brainer if you intend (or are "made" , by race organisers etc) to clip on.

 

[Ed Sned]

two others to look at:
Plastimo 196SLR - made using their liferaft technology in order to reduce the weight massively. It's ridiculously light; most of France seem to be wearing them
Mustang Survival Atlas - looks very conventional (bland) on the outside but the bladder is quite different and is the new benchmark.
Depends what kind of sailing you're doing, but anything further offshore than a few miles, personally I wouldn't go without a sprayhood and crotch straps (as well as beacons etc)

 

[Draystone]

My wife and I replaced our Spinlock deck vests last year, with Mustang Atlas 190s. We both find them to be far more comfortable than the deck vests. Particularly around the neck after they have been repacked several times. Canadian company who have been around since the 60s IIRC.

 

[Ed Sned]

I've got Crewsaver Ergofits which are up for replacement and so I too have been looking at the alternatives. I find they make my neck ache and so your comment on the Deckvest is interesting, albeit I recognise that everyone is different. Worth noting that the Deckvest is an old design now (10+yrs?), like the Ergofit, and so I would hope things have moved on a bit in that period.
The Mustangs are designed/developed by Nigel Parkes, who was design manager at Crewsaver for 17yrs - I sense the Mustang incorporates many of the design changes he wanted to implement but for whatever reason, wasn't able to.
I'm very tempted by the Plastimo though, albeit it's hard to find in the UK. If you subscribe to the view that any worn lifejacket is better than the one not worn, this needs to be considered seriously - it is so incredibly light, you genuinely hardly know you're wearing it. Inflated, it also performs well in French tests. Putting a Deckvest on afterwards felt very heavy.

 

[lustyd]

Note the Spinlock has a quick release for the safety line, if you are getting dragged under.

I’m not keen on this. I accidentally bought one for my partner thinking it was the same as I had. In my view it’s a feature for racers rather than cruisers. I’m considerably more worried about her tether not being attached than her being dragged. It’s not like the TeamO system, it fully detaches when activated and can be activated accidentally since it’s a pull cord that’s not entirely securely stowed.
I love our 6Ds and we both found them the most comfortable that we tried on even above the TeamO which was in administration at the time but some stock available. I wouldn’t have another with the QR though!
Spinlock are still British made too, which is worth something to me.