lustyd
Well-known member
Yes we have a Kru, it's basically the same repack as a Deckvest or a Team-O so harder than the velcro ones but once you've tried it once easy enough. Understanding how the zip reseals is the main thing to learn early on
Which LJ?
- Thread starter TiggerToo
- Start date
dunedin
Well-known member
The BackTow life jacket has this unique capability that means if anybody does go overboard they get pulled along on their back, to avoid being force drowned as towed face first at 6 knots - LIFEJACKETS
Ours seem very well make and very comfortable
Ours seem very well make and very comfortable
Moodysailor
Well-known member
An interesting thread, thanks.
We have just bought 5 new LJ's as when we did an inspection on ours, only 1 held air. We hadn't checked them last year due to various reasons (not using the boat was one), but god-forbid what would have happened if we needed them in an emergency!
The country was in lockdown when we tested and bought ours, so we didn't get a chance to try any on, but went for the Seago Active. We are really pleased, they fit well, are comfy and well specced. We also liked that we could get them in different colours, so it's easy to visually see who's is who's.
3 of us are the main users, so we bought 3 Seago Active for us, and 2 Seago Seaguard for occasional crew. 1 of the existing LJ's was in good order, so that makes our set. All have crotch straps, and being the same brand we only need to carry a couple of re-arming kits for the whole boat.
We have just bought 5 new LJ's as when we did an inspection on ours, only 1 held air. We hadn't checked them last year due to various reasons (not using the boat was one), but god-forbid what would have happened if we needed them in an emergency!
The country was in lockdown when we tested and bought ours, so we didn't get a chance to try any on, but went for the Seago Active. We are really pleased, they fit well, are comfy and well specced. We also liked that we could get them in different colours, so it's easy to visually see who's is who's.
3 of us are the main users, so we bought 3 Seago Active for us, and 2 Seago Seaguard for occasional crew. 1 of the existing LJ's was in good order, so that makes our set. All have crotch straps, and being the same brand we only need to carry a couple of re-arming kits for the whole boat.
lustyd
Well-known member
Hopefully you didn't buy the branded rearming kits? I'll post this link again as it's quite useful, they have all the UML options and more importantly tell you the dates of the components before you order. You can also order the bits individually if you want to which can reduce costs and make it easier to manage a stock of spares on board.
UML Rearming Kits Archives - RT Supplies Ltd
UML Rearming Kits Archives - RT Supplies Ltd
Moodysailor
Well-known member
We did as we were buying all at once (they were a small cost compared to 5 x LJ's), but thanks for the link, i'll save it for future.
westhinder
Well-known member
Totally agree.
I have chosen a Crewsaver Ergofit. It is bulky at first sight, but I have found it very comfortable to wear as it is contoured in such a way you forget you’re wearing it after 5 minutes.
crewman
Active member
Another point to look for is how easy it is to repack. Some of the more compact ones are almost impossible to repack. My old LJ was like that after servicing it took ages to get all the air out of the bladder and get the folds in exactly the right place and really tight. Unless you got it right it would not repack. New one is much easier as not so tightly packed. The old one had the cover secured with Velcro which wore out and kept coming adrift. New one is a burst zip which again is easier to repack.
Stemar
Well-known member
How old were they? I'm just servicing my LJs. The two main ones are 13 year old, but still in near perfect condition outside and perfect inside. I have to fit new cartridges, but only because they're expired; the jackets held their pressure for 24 hours with no noticeable loss and the gas bottles are the right weight. The lights are still in date, and work perfectly, though I did have to chuck out one of two lights that expired in 2016 that I kept as extras - the other still works fine.
It probably helps that they've never been used in anger. One inflated because it fell into the bottom of a wet dinghy, but that's the only time they've been inflated apart from the annual check.
TiggerToo
Well-known member
the unwanted "unscrewing" of the gas canister is an issue. In my experience of LJs this seems to happen quite often. Worryingly. I recommended crew check regularly the tightness of fit. These were Kru. Note sure if other makes/models suffer from the same issue.
anoccasionalyachtsman
Well-known member
The Seago Active Pro has a cunning nitrile rubber loop tightly securing the cylinder to the fabric that effectively prevents that.
lustyd
Well-known member
They're all UML mechanisms so yes, all LJs would be the same from this perspective.
Moodysailor
Well-known member
Hi,
Most from 2007, two were newer (one of the ones that tested OK). 4 of the 5 didn't hold air at all, lost a considerable amount within 60 seconds. If you were in the water with them, you would be constantly blowing air in...
The other held air longer but went down overnight. The 6th one held air for days.
The seams appeared to be the issue. I didn't 'wet test' them to check, but there was no obvious leak from any seals or connections.
The other reason for changing was to get some additional features. The ones were replaced came with the boat when we got her, they didn't have hoods, lights or crutch straps, all of which we wanted. So whilst i didn't want to buy 5 new ones, at least we can be happy that we have ones that will actually do the job if someone takes an unfortunate tumble over the side.
anoccasionalyachtsman
Well-known member
As I said in #30, the Seago Active Pro has this sorted.
Stemar
Well-known member
I've heard far too many stories of loose cylinders, I always make sure mine are about as tight as I can get them by hand. (I'm not going for world's strongest man this year, so well short of the risk of damaging the threads. I do think I've probably put the last new cartridge in them, though, as the webbing is starting to get stiff, so they're harder to put on.
