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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Time for a new life jacket

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Andy_334
Navigator

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USA
206 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/04/2007 : 09:42:03

Thinking about buying a new life jacket (inflatable) for the upcoming racing season. I know it is personal choice, but does anyone have any recommendations?

I'm a trimmer, who is "encouraged" to STAY OFF THE BOW! Typical events include:
<ul><li>Thursday night beer-can lake racing. </li><li> Lake Superior, mainly during the day, but also a couple of overnight races. </li><li> Swiftsure race in the Pacific Northwest.
</li></ul>

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2007 : 10:06:00

I like my auto inflatable with built in harness. I have the West Marine version, which I think was made by SOSpenders.

I do have a couple criticisms:
It doesn't feel 'tall' enough for me. The belt seems too high. It doesn't reach below my rib cage, which leaves me wondering if I might slip out of it too easily. Along those same lines, I would prefer the harness had crotch straps, at least as an option.

By the way, the auto inflate feature can be turned on or off in a few moments, leaving ripcord or mouth inflation still available.

And speaking of harnesses, I use a double tether with one 6' fixed length and one 3'-6' retractable. It has safety caribiners at both ends and a snap shackle at the harness with a short beaded lanyard for emergency release.

-- Leon Sisson

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2007 : 11:08:36

[url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/10001/-1/10001/245964/10001/-8/0/0"]Westmarine Clearance link[/url]

It's jacket, a vest, and an automatic inflatable PFD, all in one!
This comfortable, lightweight, all-season jacket is three products in one—a jacket, a vest, and an automatic inflatable PFD! The lightweight boating jacket is waterproof and breathable to keep you dry in the rain, yet light enough and versatile enough to wear in varying temperatures and conditions. Wear the inflatable PFD separately, together with the jacket, or zip-off the sleeves for use as a vest. The inflatable PFD auto-inflates upon submersion, while expansion pleats in the jacket allow an unrestrictive fit when inflated. It also converts to “Manual Only”, allowing you to deactivate the auto-inflation feature. Includes ripcord and oral inflation tube for manual inflation. Features a brimmed tuckaway hood, 3M Scotchlite(TM) reflective detail, adjustable shock cord waist and integral harness access points for the addition of an optional safety harness.

Provides 33.2lb of buoyancy, and qualifies as a USCG Type V with Type III performance: This vest must be worn to be counted in a vessel's inventory of PFDs. Made from waterproof, breathable ripstop nylon shell/urethane coated yellow nylon bladder, with zipper closures and adjustable side-release buckles. Should be serviced every two years.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2007 : 14:53:35

WM has a sale starting on 3/8. Automatics (w/o harness)at $100. At least that's what the ad in Sailing mag said. Are they really made by Sospenders?

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2007 : 15:42:36

I bought the West Marine 4000 Model w/Harness hookup. It is an auto/manual inflate. It can be manually inflated thru the blow tube. You can yank on the inflater handle or it will inflate automatically if immersed in at least 4" of water. There are cheaper models to buy but what I like about this model is that it has a window to view the CO2 inflater. If it is green, then it ids fully charged and if red, then needs to be replaced. I wear mine all the time since it is not bulky like regular life preservers. The key to all of this is if it feels comfortable and automatic to put it on each time - which I do. My inflatable also came with a spare CO2 unit. (I think they do that so that one can practice for the first time as to how it actually works. Then reload with the spare CO2 unit.)

Another thing to consider when purchasing one is the replacement cost for installing a new CO2 cartridge unit. The prices differ quite a bit. based on the inflatable life preservers being sold at present, the cost of a CO2 replacement unit ranges from about $17 - $70. The inflatables may indicate to replace the CO2 unit every couple of years but if it has not discharged (fully charged) then there is really no reason to replace the unit. Only the more expensive inflatables have an indicator to indicate if it fully charged, otherwise, it's one of those things that may have one in doubt and may wind up taking the precaution to replace the CO2 ubti every so often. If that seems likely based on your own preferences, then that makes a stronger case for a more expensive inflatable with the indicator so you do not have to shell out the money periodically for replacement CO2 untis.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2007 : 16:33:32

I was at the Cleveland Boat Show and tried a few different ones at the ODNR booth. What surprised me was that they encouraged me to inflate each of them then they reached into a box and pulled out another cartridge. It seemed to me that they could buy CO2 cartridges in bulk. Since they were encouraging anyone that wanted to discharge the vest, they were either spending a lot of my tax dollars or the vests can be re-charged with something other than the expensive kits sold at "marine supply" shops. For example, here's a 25 pack of 12 gram cartridges for $15.90.

http://www.airgundepot.com/2311.html

I will concede that they might have been using less than the 33 gram cartridge sold with vests but the vest sure seemed filled to capacity. Does anybody know the math on the expansion of CO2 when the pressure is released? That is, how many cubic inches per gram of CO2? Then, what's the capacity of a vest?

Man, it's cold outside. I have WAY too much time to think about this stuff.

Edited by - on

Andy_334
Navigator

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USA
206 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2007 : 17:01:53

Larry - Is this the one you mentioned?

I like the idea of the inspection window.

Also, I never thought about replacement cost of rearm kits.

Edited by - Andy_334 on 03/04/2007 17:04:58

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2007 : 21:39:15

Andy,

Yes - Looking at the picture you posted, the darker one on the right is the Model 4000 Harness Model. That is the one I bought.

There are other good choices and previous discussions on this subject seemed to indicate some models are more comfortable than others. I think they all seem to loosen up/become more comfortable after being worn numerous times. The webbing and lock mechanism allows for a good range of adjustment. I wore it in the fall with just a polo shirt on and also this winter with an LL Bean down filled winter jacket. Mine fits fine.

By the way, you may find this info somewhere on the web...I remember coming across: There was a recall or at least a known defect that the coast guard put out some bulletin regarding many of the inflatables regarding a popular rearming unit mfr and that the way the rearming unit was designed, it could be installed incorrectly and then not function when needed. I then checked to see if they specify the rearming unit mfr. For reference, the West Marine Catalog 2007, pg 170, lists the rearming units and mfr. The Model 4000 uses a Secumer rearming unit and that was not the unit that had concerns. They probably have modifed all the rearming units to address whatrever was the issue but....you may want to do a search and see what turns up regarding inflatables and rearming units....................or just go try some on and go with your gut feeling .

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2007 : 22:21:41

Hi Andy, I don't know all the models out there, but I would spend more on my vest than any thing else. That would include a locator beacon and stroblight. No amount of money is too much for your personal safety. Cheers.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2007 : 06:52:43

I have 2 different life jackets that I use depending on what I am doing on the boat. For racing I generally use a Kayak Life vest which gives me plenty of buoyancy but will not turn me upright if I go in. This gives me the arm mobility to do whatever I need Grind, Trim, work the bow etc. I don't particularily like the inflatible any more for racing because I don't always have time to change it if it rains and if the manual release gets hooked on something I'm then fully depolyed for the rest of the race.

For cruising I have an SOS inflatible sport style that fits around the neck nicer than the squared off versions. they don't make that particular model anymore but do have similar versions under different names.

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2007 : 07:26:18

We have one of those fanny pack inflatable , its very confortable to where .
I think its more for a nice day , just in case

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Andy_334
Navigator

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USA
206 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2007 : 20:50:44

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'm narrowing in one one of these from Mustang.

Sean, I also have one of those "fanny pack" designs for nice days, on the local lake.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2007 : 21:20:14

If you have a friend with one, borrow it for a day or two and try all 4 racing positions on the boat - I'd try to do this with all of the finalists. The last thing you want is the LJ that where the back of the neck gets caught on the upper lifeline when hiking or where the manual pull gets hooked on a mast cleat etc. (trust me I have a rather expensive life jacket with 1 dollar worth of tape on each shoulder because I got sick of getting hung up while hiking out.) A little investigation might save you from some misery down the road.

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