What ever happened to the simple Bouyancy Vest ??

Refueler

Refueler

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I had 3 Baltic simple bouyancy vests ... the foam filled shaped like a waistcoat with simple central clips and a belt. Unfortunately 2 have gone walkies ... probably lent them out and never had returned.

I go online to see about replacing ..... and all I see are fancy multi strap jobs that really IMHO are a step too far.

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My oldest Lad James is wearing a blue one there ... on our way to Priory Bay BBQ.
 
It's true that the dinghy racer's buoyancy aid seems to have evolved into some sort of cross between 'Ninja Turtle' and 'bondage weirdo'.
I need a new one soon, as mine was red and is now kind of pinkish....
 
The old blue ones ride up horribly if you actually go into the drink. (We have several apparently the same as your old one.) Newer ones have a strap to punish anyone daft enough to fall overboard, but said strap does make them float quite a bit higher.
I superceded mine with big orange ljs, but nobody would wear them, so I reverted to the Decathlon vest type ones.
 
I think Helly Hansen still do them.
When my kids were little they had the HH foam buoancy aids. They were happy and comfortable in them and would put them on as soon as they woke up. they also acted as a sort of body armour when things got boisterous.
A friend's kid was made to wear a full lifejacket / staitjacket and hated it, continually whinged about putting it on. He also later came to hate sailing, perhaps a contributary factor?
 
Iliade said:
The old blue ones ride up horribly if you actually go into the drink. (We have several apparently the same as your old one.) Newer ones have a strap to punish anyone daft enough to fall overboard, but said strap does make them float quite a bit higher.
I superceded mine with big orange ljs, but nobody would wear them, so I reverted to the Decathlon vest type ones.
Click to expand...

My inflatables had crotch straps but they were just a loop round one leg. If you sat down - you couldn't stand up because the loop dropped down the thigh.
I ditched those straps and designed my own ... so they actually went front to back ... simple clip style so put jacket on ... grab strap and clip.

The worst for ride up are the standard DoT ships ones. To try overcome the riding up - the instructions are to cross your arms and press onto front of jacket .....
Its fact that many seaman have actually drowned from them riding up and head held below water.
 
Refueler said:
I had 3 Baltic simple bouyancy vests ... the foam filled shaped like a waistcoat with simple central clips and a belt. Unfortunately 2 have gone walkies ... probably lent them out and never had returned.

I go online to see about replacing ..... and all I see are fancy multi strap jobs that really IMHO are a step too far.

My oldest Lad James is wearing a blue one there ... on our way to Priory Bay BBQ.
Click to expand...

I have them all under my bed.
 
I am a fan of the buoyancy vest for the sheltered water sailing I do. So crew get them if weather looks a bit rough. Serves the purpose of keeping you warm ,insulated from bumps and of course automatic buoyancy if you go in. The down side is that they won't keep your head above water if you are unconscious.
Plenty of types available here in Oz. However I did also make one myself. Cut from a red sail bag. The buoyancy was wet suit neoprene. I wear it myself. Being home made has lots of pockets for radio and GPS and torch. It seems to provide good buoyancy in the water.
I have a huge range of smaller vests for kids. Cheap as dirt at flea market. Can't not buy them when I see them. Inflatables yes I have them but they are stowed.away. ol'will
 
I have to say that William H has touched on a point that I like ... POCKETS !

When you wear a jacket - regardless of style / design - access to pockets can be a pain. So I like the 'Fishermans Bouyancy Vests' - foam filled vest and then loads of utility pockets.

Here's one I am definitely interested in - maybe 2, but smaller pockets .. as my boat is normally sailed 2 up ..

Adult Fishing Life Jacket Reflective Buoyancy Aid Sailing Kayak Vest Preservers | eBay
 
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