Recommendations please for two LJ's

NUTMEG

NUTMEG

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www.theblindsailor.co.uk
Following the thread on life jackets currently running and not wishing to thread drift, I wondered what fellow cruisers have chosen.

Current LJ's are 12 or so years old, both have built in harnesses, crotch straps and hammer inflators.

I would like something similar with added features of spray hood and a light, a place for some sort of location beacon would be nice but first things first.

So, before I get overwhelmed with choice on the www or talked into something that might not be perfect at my local chandlery, what does the panel recommend?

Cheers all

Steve
 
I'm very happy with my Kru Sport Pro, including after trying it out on a Sea Survival course at work. The design has changed since I bought mine, but I assume it's still good. I particularly like the built-in sprayhood.

That said, you really need to try them on to see what suits you. I went to the chandlery fully intending to pick up a Spinlock Deckvest, but didn't get on with the fit of it and came home with the Kru instead.

Apart from my Kru, we have four generic older Crewsavers on board with Hammar inflators. I wouldn't buy Hammar in future - the consumables cost more, you can't weigh the cylinders properly (they come bonded into the plastic back part of the inflator, which does at least stop them unscrewing), and you need to check very carefully that you haven't introduced a leak around the edge of the big hole when refitting them. Against that, I can't see any particular benefit - the pressure sensing feature is not compelling when standard inflators are not going off left, right and centre.

Pete
 
prv said:
I'm very happy with my Kru Sport Pro, including after trying it out on a Sea Survival course at work. The design has changed since I bought mine, but I assume it's still good. I particularly like the built-in sprayhood.

That said, you really need to try them on to see what suits you. I went to the chandlery fully intending to pick up a Spinlock Deckvest, but didn't get on with the fit of it and came home with the Kru instead.

Apart from my Kru, we have four generic older Crewsavers on board with Hammar inflators. I wouldn't buy Hammar in future - the consumables cost more, you can't weigh the cylinders properly (they come bonded into the plastic back part of the inflator, which does at least stop them unscrewing), and you need to check very carefully that you haven't introduced a leak around the edge of the big hole when refitting them. Against that, I can't see any particular benefit - the pressure sensing feature is not compelling when standard inflators are not going off left, right and centre.

Pete
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Thank you. I only got Hammer ones because someone told me they were better:-)

Right I can tick that feature off the 'must have' list.

Will look at the Kru as suggested.

Thanks again

Steve
 
I had come to the decision to buy Crewsaver Ergofit, so interested to see what people make of those, and other options !
 
I bought 2 of the new Crewsaver Ergofit 190N at Southampton 2015. Chosen after trying on a variety but with the same requirements as the OP regarding light, hood, crotchstraps plus ability to include a beacon. Very little sailing in 2015 and I just used my 10 year old Baltic which is very comfortable. They are now on the new boat in Greece and will get used properly this year.
I avoided Hammar for the same reasons as Pete. There are now others on the market that look similar to the Ergofits but no idea if they are as good. Probably cheaper as Crewsaver have always been at the top of the market.
 
We sold our old traditional Crewsaver Crewfit LJ's because they did not come with a hood as standard. We replacement them with the ErgoFit versions (Offshore so that we got the metal buckle). They are a different shape similar to the Spinlock but I have to say I prefer the comfort of the original Crewfit LJ's. I wish that Crewsaver did an updated version of the crewfit with hoods and lights etc. Does anyone know what the RNLI wear, I think it is a beefed up crew fit.
 
Re: q please for two LJ's

prv said:
I'm very happy with my Kru Sport Pro, including after trying it out on a Sea Survival course at work. The design has changed since I bought mine, but I assume it's still good. I particularly like the built-in sprayhood.
(...)
Click to expand...

We bought Kru Sport Pro last year and they seem fine. More comfortable to wear and quicker to put on than the ones we had before.
 
Re: q please for two LJ's

I bought Spinlock quite a few years ago & they are hard wearing & spinlock do write to me every so often inviting them back for service, which is good. It is also hard wearing as I wear it always & I do sail for the best part 2000 miles per year & often more. I do like the ease of adjustment so that changing in & out of wet gear does not make it loose as it would with my spare crewsaver ones

However, If I was in the market for a new one there are some points I would change
1) I have thrown the straps away as when sitting they slip down the legs on my wet gear & when i stand up have to be moved up again. I now use a sail tie & just tie it to the tension that suits me depending on what I am wearing
2) It is heavy & in spite of the adjustment it pulls on my neck which is more noticeable as I get older
3) Being a single hander I carry a PLB & a set of mini flares in a pouch. Spinlock make a pouch but there is nowhere convenient to fit it so it slides about on the side. I would like a better way of carrying the PLB & miniflares

I was checking one of the "visitors" lifejackets that I carry & noticed that the bottle was loose & rusty so decided to test one. My son & I dressed the wife up in it in the lounge ( she refused to sit in the bath !!) & invited her to set it off for practice. She tugged the cord & nothing happened. On examination we found that all 3 of the LJ's had the cord wrapped around the bottle so in an emergency the user would not have been able to inflate the jacket

I then decided to inflate my Spinlock
When I did it inflated with such a bang that it rammed my head back & the rough seam in the join of the airbag where it circled under my neck actually grazed the underside of my chin & drew blood

So whilst I believe the Spinlock might save my life I feel it could be a bit better
 
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Seven Spades said:
We sold our old traditional Crewsaver Crewfit LJ's because they did not come with a hood as standard. We replacement them with the ErgoFit versions (Offshore so that we got the metal buckle). They are a different shape similar to the Spinlock but I have to say I prefer the comfort of the original Crewfit LJ's. I wish that Crewsaver did an updated version of the crewfit with hoods and lights etc. Does anyone know what the RNLI wear, I think it is a beefed up crew fit.
Click to expand...

Interesting, that's totally the opposite to what we found, the Ergofit once on is almost "cosy" with the neck roll...
 
I did some web digging last year and found a group test by one of the UK mags, the upshot of which was buying Seago Active Pro 190s. Apart from good crotch straps, spray hood and light they feature the bladder that's shaped so as not to direct waves straight at your face. I haven't tried one inflated, but they're as comfortable to wear as any that I've used.

Unfortunately, after a quick search I can't find that test for you.
 
Gladys said:
Interesting, that's totally the opposite to what we found, the Ergofit once on is almost "cosy" with the neck roll...
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Yep - exactly the point of my second paragraph in post #2 :). Different people often get on differently with the same jacket.

Pete
 
Tim O said:
I had come to the decision to buy Crewsaver Ergofit, so interested to see what people make of those, and other options !
Click to expand...

I have an Ergofit, and find it rather difficult to put on and take off. Once on, it's fairly comfortable. I'll choose a different lifejacket next time.
 
My LJ of choice is the Crewsaver 190.

Tested inflating the Spinlock at the LBS two years ago and you need arms 2 meters long to pull the manual release, a serious design flaw.

Go to your shop of choice and try as many different makes on and find one that fits you best.
 
We bought 2 crewsaver 190s at SIBS 2014 after discussions on the RNLI stand. They are pretty comfortable and don't snag on guard rails like my old one but are markedly heavier to wear all day. Mine have Velcro fasteners and are a bit tricky to repack, possibly burstable zips would make that easier.
The built in spray hood is an excellent feature and should be mandatory on offshore lifejackets IMO - the ones with separate goods in a belt pouch must be very difficult to put on when you're in the drink.
My purchasing advice is to go to a show stand (RNLI) where advice and a good selection of them is available and TRY THEM ON before buying. If it's not comfortable you may be tempted to not wear it when you should.
 
Re: q please for two LJ's

Bought one at SBS 2016 having spoken to a someone on satiety stand next to The sailfish Dave stand

The jacket which came from Cowes was available with variety of features Came mail order after show and was impressed with quality and service provided . No connection. Personally have used Kru jacket type which always seems much more comfortable than our older guest jackets .
 
ghostlymoron said:
We bought 2 crewsaver 190s at SIBS 2014 after discussions on the RNLI stand. They are pretty comfortable and don't snag on guard rails like my old one but are markedly heavier to wear all day. Mine have Velcro fasteners and are a bit tricky to repack, possibly burstable zips would make that easier.
Click to expand...
Odd, mine do have zips and once on I hardly notice I am wearing it, but am used to carrying about a 50 KG rucksack.
 
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