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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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inflatable sailing companions

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/24/2006 : 13:49:37

I am considering an inflatable PFD, I have bought one on ebay is the bag on a belt type but am looking real hard at the new Mustang Hydrostaic with harness. I know the harness is important to a jackline setup but for me it would be about someone being able to get me back on board. The autos have always seemed too sensitive and the manual seems inadequate, this new technology seems just right.

Hydrostatic Technology Offers Reliable Inflation
The Auto Hydrostatic Inflatable Personal Flotation Device (PFD) will only automatically inflate when submerged in 4 or more inches of water and not prematurely due to rain, spray or humidity.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 08/24/2006 14:15:01

Charlie Vick
Captain

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USA
423 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2006 : 14:00:51

If I could find one with red hair and green eyes that would be perfect!

Wait, maybe I misread the title to this thread....

Sorry Frank you left that one wiiide open!

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2006 : 14:15:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Charlie Vick
 If I could find one with red hair and green eyes that would be perfect!

Wait, maybe I misread the title to this thread....

Sorry Frank you left that one wiiide open!

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2006 : 14:42:40

Charlie, your not the only one who misread the title. Somehow I think it was intended that way. All I know is that he will get plenty of reads with a title like that.

Edited by - cat1951 on 08/24/2006 14:46:01

Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2006 : 14:50:00

Frank,
Last year Defender was having a special blowout of these jackets $100.00 per unit. http://www.floattech.com/ The into is a bit slow, but you can read about them there. I am really impressed with how the jacket has preformed over the last year. It has a Manual/automatic switch on it, a manual pullcord, and a flip out self inflate tube. The PDF secures inside of the jacket, the sleeves come off, and it has a detachable hood on it also. The hole PDF unit can also be removed from the jacket. The jacket itself is on the lighter side, so anything under 40 deg. I would have to wear some heavy clothing underneath, but it's perfect for us here in Oklahoma in the fall to winter series. I have been out in a good downpour and it didn't inflate.

Edited by - on

Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2006 : 14:56:12

I was going to post something else, but it all seemed WRONG.......

SOOOOOOOOOOO WRONG

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2006 : 15:14:11

I believe you have a product that is no longer available. They seem to have supply problems, neither West Marine nor Defender carry them any more.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2006 : 16:20:57

I've had a SoSpenders self inflator for years and have not had a problem with premature "inflation"

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2006 : 19:52:43

I think this inflatable may work for you!

http://www.buttbuoy.com/faq.aspx

Edited by - on

Dkn420
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2006 : 20:12:55

Truly one of the funniest I've seen...

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2006 : 20:38:47

That is great Turk.

Hi Frank, I bought one of the cheaper modles w/o the auto inflate and w/o the harness. Now I have to buy one with auto inflate and harness. I agree with you about needing the harness to get me back in the boat as much as keeping me in. Cheers.

Edited by - on

oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2006 : 04:35:22

I had an inflatable sailing companion but unfortunately she left me for some guy with a larger vessel.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2006 : 09:56:05

It must be Friday - the guys are going kerfooie!
Derek

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2006 : 10:16:10

How's it know your in under 4 inches? I would have to think the trigger mechanism is still the same. It's gonna blow when the cap holding the firing pin desolves (wanted to say disinigrates but it doesn't look like I spelt it rite.)

How does it keep the rainwater out?

Edited by - Champipple on 08/25/2006 10:19:49

Bill Arden
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2006 : 10:29:19

If it's "hydrostatic," there's probably some kind of pressure gauge in it. 4" of water corresponds to an increase over atmospheric pressure of about 0.12 psi - small, but detectable and - I think - unlikely to occur because of barometric changes at the surface (you meteorologists can jump in any time now... .

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2006 : 10:32:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Duane Wolff
 How's it know your in under 4 inches?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Presuming that to be a serious question, it is a function of pressure. I am surprised the submersion depth is a shallow as it is, it must be very sensitive. I believe the weight of typical atmospheric pressure to be around 14 pounds/sq" so I do find it hard to understand how a four inch column of water could make a perceptable difference, but hey I ain't too bright.

Derek, We are supposed to have severe weather tonight, it has been a while since I rode out a storm on the boat so I will head out this afternoon batten down, harden up, and kick back. I love the sounds of high wind in the marina. (As long as my TV, wireless braodband, refrigerator and Airconditioning keep working, if shore power goes I am so out-a-there!)

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2006 : 14:03:27

Frank - you sure that you're not confusing your boat with a floating condominium...

Derek

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2006 : 20:14:11

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2006 : 21:15:57

Awesome typo on my part, don't ya think...

barometrically speaking, wouldn't that kind of pressure change occur on a stormy day?

Edited by - on

Bill Arden
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2006 : 06:45:05

Yes, I would think it would. 0.12 psi change on 14.7 psi typical atmospheric pressure is a little less than 1%. A 1% change in barometric pressure is equivalent to a change from 30.00 to 29.70, and I think that happens in nature, no?

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2006 : 07:08:22

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 I've had a SoSpenders self inflator for years and have not had a problem with premature "inflation"

. I recently removed the self-inflator however because the Coast Guard will not accept it as legal unless it's been factory serviced annually. I now have SoSpenders and Mustang manual inflating vests, both with harnesses and tethers. I am now feeling better about passing a Coasty inspection, which is happening more and more frequently up here in Northern Michigan.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

that sounds like old rules Al. According to the USCG guy I spoke with, the units need to be serviced, but not by the MFG. As a matter of fact, neither Mustang nor SOSpenders have any information about factory servicing on their website. The rules as I understand them are that the auto-inflatible only counts as a PFD if it is worn….

For example, 4 guys on board, with three life jackets and a SOSpenders would not satisfy the need for one pfd per person unless somebody was wearing the auto inflatable. If you have a link to the rules I'd love to see them because I have a number of friends that outfit their entire crew with these units - I'd like to give them the heads up.

Edited by - Champipple on 08/29/2006 07:09:19

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