Which Lifejacket: Crewsaver Crewfit, Spinlock Deckvest or Baltic Race?

[Desh]

I am currently looking at the following lifejackets and would be interested in any feedback from owners, in particular I know there have been accidental inflation issues with the Spinlock Deckvest Pro-sensor (including a recall) and perhaps also with the Baltic Race so any feedback would be appreciated.

1) Crewsaver Crewfit 190N Plus
2) Spinlock Deckvest Pro-sensor
3) Spinlock Deckvest Hammer
4) Baltic Race 150

 

[soapbox440]

Bump - i am looking at these and the kru pro sport. Would be keen to hear about Baltic Race 150.

 

[prv]

I reckon you have to go to a shop and try them on. I went to Force 4 expecting to buy a Spinlock, and also tried on something from Baltic, but came away with a Kru Sport Pro because it fitted me better and was more comfortable.

As for the type of inflator, I think Hammar are good quality but I'm not convinced they have much tangible benefit over the conventional type, and they're more expensive to replace when they expire (I have four Crewfit jackets with Hammars that will need replacing this winter )

Pete

 

[Sans Bateau]

I cannot believe that a new poster asked a question on something as contentious as life jackets 18 months ago and no one answered!! This has to be a record!!

As a tip to both new posters, your best bet to get a answer is to start a thread about RNLI, anchors, yachts running into ships or of course that old chestnut Bavaria keels. Once the thread has started,and you have peoples attention, then pop in your real question. Dont worry thread drift is quite normal, it happens all the time.

Hope that is helpful.

 

[[70521]]

I reckon you have to go to a shop and try them on.

+1

I have a Crewsaver Crewfit 190N Plus and it works for me.

 

[JumbleDuck]

My main criteria were (a) comfort and (b) Hammar release. I bought Crewfits, which seem fine.

 

[MM5AHO]

I bougt a new Kru Pro Sport 2 years ago, so now have 2 summers in it. Fantastic! Very comfortable, and I like the harness attachment point.

 

[duncan99210]

SWMBO and I have Kru life jackets. Very comfortable and reasonably priced. Don't like the cost of replacing the Hamar mechanism so glad that the Kru uses a United Molders fitting.

 

[WestWittering]

I have a Spinlock Deckvest & loathe it with a passion It is like wearing an old fashioned horse collar & it shoves the thick collar of my jacket into my neck so much I cant move properly. I tried it on in the shop, but over a regular jacket. I am on the lookout for a replacement, but next time will take my Musto to make sure that it fits comfortably over the top. Also, the thigh straps (WTF) have gone in the bin.......

Resorted to wearing a very basic LJ in the meantime, while the Spinlock sits in the cabin chuckling...

Di

 

[Kukri]

My main criteria were (a) comfort and (b) Hammar release. I bought Crewfits, which seem fine.

Snap. Same here.

Try them on before you buy.

(If you don't use a Hammar release you WILL find yourself paying for a new United Moulders one before long.)

 

[Giblets]

No mention of Seago lifejackets then?

 

[prv]

I like the harness attachment point.

That's interesting - I find it rather fiddly compared to the solid sensible D-ring on the front of the traditional Crewsavers.

Like the jacket as a whole, though.

Pete

 

[Sans Bateau]

(If you don't use a Hammar release you WILL find yourself paying for a new United Moulders one before long.)

Why?

 

[duncan99210]

Why?

Probably 'cos Hammars are meant to be resistant to damp and there is a mistaken belief that the pellet in the UM mechanism is susceptible to it. Not found it to be so. Even if the UM fitting does need replacement, it's a lot cheaper than the the Hammar equivalent.

 

[nigelmercier]

Bump - i am looking at these and the kru pro sport.

Fantastic, hardly know I'm wearing it.

 

[TeamSpirit]

Its about personal preference and fit, go and try a few. I replaced mine with a Crewsaver Ergofit 290 not what I expected to buy but after trying lots on this felt good and was good price and fitted a treat over Musto oilys . Single 500 plus mile usage and lots of short trips very pleased with it it sits quite high up so doesn't restrict your movement and I don't know I'm wearing it. Will replace my others with same as they come up to require servicing.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Probably 'cos Hammars are meant to be resistant to damp and there is a mistaken belief that the pellet in the UM mechanism is susceptible to it. Not found it to be so. Even if the UM fitting does need replacement, it's a lot cheaper than the the Hammar equivalent.

It's not the susceptibility of the pellet mechanism which worries me; it's the susceptibility of the cylinder to rust.

 

[Loch Linnhe]

I have a Spinlock Deckvest & loathe it with a passion It is like wearing an old fashioned horse collar & it shoves the thick collar of my jacket into my neck so much I cant move properly. I tried it on in the shop, but over a regular jacket. I am on the lookout for a replacement, but next time will take my Musto to make sure that it fits comfortably over the top. Also, the thigh straps (WTF) have gone in the bin.......

Resorted to wearing a very basic LJ in the meantime, while the Spinlock sits in the cabin chuckling...

Di

Thank you for this, Very good advise about to take your sailing jacket along to try Life Jackets on an easy mistake to make.

 

[Kukri]

Probably 'cos Hammars are meant to be resistant to damp and there is a mistaken belief that the pellet in the UM mechanism is susceptible to it. Not found it to be so. Even if the UM fitting does need replacement, it's a lot cheaper than the the Hammar equivalent.

It depends on your definition of "damp", I suppose. A slug of green water will set the UM thing off in my experience.

 

[colind3782]

Having tried on the Ergofit at SIBS our Krus are going on Ebay and 2 Ergofits are on order.