Association Forum - Life Vests and Tethers

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Life Vests and Tethers

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Page: of 2

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

USA
4304 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/14/2007 : 16:46:11

Can this vast and unpaid research department give me some guidance as to what type or brand of inflatable life vest to buy? Prefer one with a tether as I will be doing more and more single-handed cruising.

Suggestions on where to get the best deals?

GaryB
'89 SR/Wk #5862
Kemah,TX

Association Member

GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

Members Avatar

USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2007 : 17:48:06

Gary, I am in the same boat. I have looked at both WM and Defender.com. The cost is about $100,low end,to over $300.
One important thing I assume would be an automatic vs manual one. Its funny but I was watching one of my favorite TV shows last nite, "How do they make that" and they were showing how inflatable vests, life rafts, etc were make.
Anyway I am curious what our unpaid researchers have to say as well. I will keep a close eye on this one.
Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 11/14/2007 18:10:14

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2007 : 18:46:55

I can only tell you my experience. I have WM manual inflatables. It was price driven more than anything else. Unfortunately, I don't find it very comfortable. Therefore, I'm tempted not to wear every time I'm out. So, my advice is to try on a lot of different kinds. Now this may well be (probably is) my body type as much or more than the vest design. I'll buy another next spring and it will be one that is comfortable with a built in harness.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2007 : 19:23:35

I really like Stormy Seas gear... it is literally so comfortable you will forget you are wearing a life vest. On their sailing gear page they offer a vest with an integrated harness.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2007 : 19:50:46

Practical Sailor rates the Mustang 3184 PFD/Harness the best and the Mustang 3084 as another good choice. They rate the WM Racing Series ISAF tether the best.

Get an auto-inflating PFD with built in harness.

We have the WM tethers and are very happy with them. We have auto-inflating WM PFDs and like them as well but sure wish we had gotten the integrated harnesses.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 11/14/2007 19:55:34

johnsonp
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
606 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2007 : 19:58:08

http://archives.sailboatowners.com/pviewarch.htm?fno=21& sku=2007309111716.17& id=501893& ptl=#2007310111825.88

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2007 : 20:13:07

Make sure Hopper chimes in - he has the Mustang brand that works on air pressure not water so there aren't any false triggers going on in the rain.

I like the SOSpenders offshore sport style with the angled collar.

Tethers are a separate entity and usually are even sold separately. Look for one with two different types of shackles. A locking on that requires side pressure on the shackle (still can be done with one hand) for the boat end. Then one with a quick release for your end. Also look into the elastic/bungeed tether. the elimination of the extra slop hanging around can help to avoid accidents. If you can borrow someone elses tether make a mental note of the tether length relative to where you need to get to on the boat. Usually the amount of tether you need will be way shorter than you think.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2007 : 20:37:47

I have the West Marine Model 4000. It can be manually inflated by blowing thru a tube or yanking on the drawcord. It also works automatically if submerged below 4" of water.

When reviewing what inflatable to buy, some considerations are:

Does it have an indicator to tell if the gas cartridge has enough charge to inflate it. The West marine Model 4000 does. So do some other mfr models.

Also compare cost of the replacement cartridges. For those inflatables without an indicator, I believe they rcmd replacing the cartridge every 2 years or so. But some of the cartridges are expensive - $20 - $40.

Edited by - on

Andy_334
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
206 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2007 : 21:20:25

The others covered it pretty well. If it is comfortable, you'll use it more.

I'll be looking at an Auto-Inflation vest with a built-in harness for next season. As the Champ said, an elastic/bungee style tether will help eliminate the trip hazard.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2007 : 22:56:32

We both have WM (by Sospenders I believe) auto inflatables with integral harnesses. We both wear them all the time when we're out. In water this cold in 10-15 minutes you're unlikely to be able to make decisions or save yourself, and the PFD may be the only thing that saves you.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2007 : 23:30:41

I forgot to mention in my original post that I was looking for the auto inflatables.

I've heard of the SOSpenders before but not the rest. Guess I'll have some research to do this weekend if it rains.

I have some sort of inflatable contraption that goes around your waist (came with the boat). Not sure what brand they are but will check this weekend. No tether attached. Better than nothing but I need to upgrade soon!

I will not scrimp on this item. I would hate to fall overboard and then have that sick feeling in my stomach when I realized the $50 - $100 bucks I saved might cost me my life because of poor design or quality.

Thank you everyone for your input!

GaryB
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2007 : 05:23:38

The biggest single benefit of the inflatables whether manual or automatic is that many tend to wear them rather than nothing. I believe it is a requirement to wear one if that is the only life preserver you have. In practice, I always have a regular life vest for myself in the cockpit area and for any others that are with me but I have gotten into the habit of wearing the inflatable. They regular life vests I never wore - Just had them available in the cockpit. They always seemed too cumbersome, though, once in awhile i will see some especially those in smaller boats that may be wearing the regular life vests.

My thought was that as long as I was buying an inflatable...how do you know the cartridge is fully loaded ? That is why I went with a model that had an indicator that was visible thru a plexiglas cover and it indicates if the cartridge is fully loaded.

Since the gas cartridges are expensive, it does pay to see what the mfr recommends regarding replacing the cartridge periodically. In theory, as long as long as the drawcord/handle is never pulled, it should be fully charged but i seem to recall that the inflatables with no indicator, some mfrs may recommend replacing the cartridge every 2 years or so. Also, not sure if all mfrs provide an extra cartridge along with the initial purchase but my WM 4000 did have an extra cartridge. I guess the thought is that the inflatable should be tested with the first cartridge and then loaded again with the extra one....otherwise...how do you know it will really work or how it actually does work. I have nbever tested mine...did not ewant to use the extra cartridge. I guess a much less satisfactory option would be to at least manually fill it thru the accessory tube to see that the inflatable holds air.

Anyway...these are some addl things to think about when comparing costs and features with comfortability high on the list. Is it being sold with an extra cartridge - That is worth another $20-$40.

Also..I found the inflatable a bit stiff when i first put it on...but then it loosened up a bit each time I used it. Also make sure that it has enough adjustment in the strap so that you can put on a winter jacket and the inflatable will still be able to be put on comfortably. This was a consideration for me since I sail all year long...except when the river freezes over and I'm landlocked.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2007 : 07:39:13

I have the Sospenders auto/manual inflatable, with integral safety harness, and have found it very comfortable. When it's hot and muggy, ordinary pfds are hot, and stick to your skin. Not so with inflatables. But, if buying again, I'd probably try the Mustang brand. I've heard the Sospenders can deploy unintentionally in a hard rain, but have never had an unintentional deployment or other problem with the Sospenders. I have heard the Mustang is less likely to do so. The Mustang is a little more expensive, but I recently saw an ad somewhere for one for about $169. It might have been on Sailnet.

I had one of the Stearn inflatables that is worn around the waist, and it deployed once when it was lying on a saloon seat under a window that leaked a little. Incidentally, when the waist-worn pfd inflated, I found that it had a burst seam, and wouldn't hold air. I would never have known if it hadn't accidentally inflated. Moral: If you buy a new inflatable, test it by inflating it manually, to be sure it doesn't have a manufacturing defect, and that it will work when you need it.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2007 : 09:08:07

My Sospenders did inflate by itself at one point. I actually don't know when it happened, I hadn't been down to the boat in some time, and when I opened the cabin, my PFD was splayed out on the settee. I thought someone had robbed me, but it turned out that it was just the pill had melted through in some very humid weather.

Some of the guys have mentioned that you can check to see if the cartridge is still full of CO2 gas by looking through the window in front. My understanding is that's only telling you that the spring that fires the pin that punctures the cartridge is compressed. There's no way to tell if the cartridge itself is charged. However, if the window's showing red, you can be certain that it's been punctured, or that there's no cartridge in the PFD.

I have reload kits for both of ours sealed in a vacuum pack to keep the pill dry. These go into the ditch kit, but could probably go into the spare parts bin instead. If you're in a situation where your PFD has deployed, you're unlikely to need to reload it. You'll be keeping it inflated with the manual inflation tube.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2007 : 10:21:29

One other item - look at the manual trip cord too. While you want to be able to grab that at any time you don't want it dangling so that it can get caught and trigger. First off it will scare the fluid out of you. Second, you have to replace the cartridge.

As an example ... A number of years back our bowman was in the middle of a gybe when, as can often occur, a puff of wind threw the pole right at him. Being a top notch guy he was able to dodge the impaling piece of carbon fiber letting it fly right below his underarm. However, in the ensuing effort to reattach the pole to the mast, the tripline for the pole claw was tangled in with the emergency trigger for the inflatible. He made the pole fast, but with the main blanketing him from the view of the rest of the crew it was quite a comical sght to see him reappear from the foredeck with a big orange doughnut around his neck. He said it literally made him jump off the deck.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2007 : 11:19:55

Hah, that image made me laugh.

What we do is tuck the manual toggle part way into the vest so it's still reachable, but not dangling. It generally doesn't work it's way out. We do the tucking up as sort of a check of each other's vests.

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2007 : 11:28:57

All sound and consistent advice - as usual! Another important (IMHO) life saving/safety device which I believe is the compliment to auto inflate PFDs is a line towed behind the boat, with integral floats positioned mid-span and at the end. When I single hand, in addition to the inflatable PFD, I trail a 150' line. I believe the PFD will save me, but it will take awhile for the boat to round up and stop. Having the line will make it all that easier to get back to safety. PS - it's also important that the stern ladder is able to be deployed from in the water!

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2007 : 12:17:51

Yes ! Agree with the ladder being able to be deployed from the water. I made that improvement last winter installing a cam cleat off the stern with the line accessible if in the water.

The other thing that has been on my mind of late is the way i have my life ring supported. I need to improve upon it but i am picky as to where I have it installed. Right now, I have it straddling the standoffs to the ladder. I like that location because it is out of the way and lower not blocking any visibility. But to ensure it stays put, i have a slip know tied to the ladder and that is the deficiency. No one escept for me would be able to deploy the life ring because someone else would have to figure out where it is tied and then undo the slip knot - which is easy but...generally not if someone else messes with it. better to have the supports made for the life ring but i do not want to hang it off the port or starboard sides. I saw a support i may be able to attach to the ladder and still allow the ladder to pivot down, once the life ring falls off, the support may not interfere with the ladder standoffs. I need to check into that some more.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

Members Avatar

USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2007 : 18:11:00

How often this forum brings up a topic that was discussed during our 'last' sail.

This past weekend we were talking about life slings and Larry then comments in that area in this thread. Then WM regular email includes a link to a podcast about crew overboard! weird!

Anyway, we're looking at the life-sling options and WM has one on sale for $79, I have WM$10 and a ramp receipt so I should be able to get one for $59.

Hmmm! Christmas is a coming - Hope it wraps up nicely

Paul

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2007 : 18:24:02

And, if you have a 6 year old grand-nephew coming along, make sure a camera is ready when he's left below alone for a minute or two before departure and he gets curious about that little yellow handle on Uncle John's vest. I was on the dock when I heard it and I chuckled for an hour! The poor kid nearly wet his pants from the surprise.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2007 : 20:01:44

I have not considered the Lifesling as an option. Maybe I should.

I guess because I have a life ring..figured I would just find a better way to hang it.

What happens when you run out of projects to work on the boat...Buy another boat ?

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2007 : 20:48:39

>"What happens when you run out of projects to work on the boat"

Heh... boat projects are a receeding horizon phenonema. No matter how long you head towards it, you never get there.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2007 : 21:21:35

Anyone ever noticed the absence of pfd's in the photos of Cruising World magazine?

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2007 : 22:22:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OLarryR
 ...What happens when you run out of projects to work on the boat...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I'm not aware this having ever actually happened.

-- Leon S.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2007 : 05:10:36

yeah ! Probably and endless number of projects.

I guess i was thinking of that TV commercial i saw awhile ago. This guy is sitting at his PC and after searching the internet, a screen pops up - "You have just reached the end of the internet !"

He then meekly goes in to tell his wife who is watching TV that he just reached the end of the internet....So ..what is he to do now ?

Not sure what the commercial was advertising but that scene has stuck in my mind.

Edited by - OLarryR on 11/16/2007 05:11:31

piseas
Former Treasurer

Members Avatar

USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2007 : 05:26:03

Has anyone attached jackline to tether, as longest tether I have seen is 10ft, to have more movement? If so what length have you used. WM has 30 and up. I wonder if there is advantage to longer line in case you go overboard.
Paul, I got life sling for same price at WM couple months ago. I mounted on back of cat seats. I played with other mounts but this seemed best. Let me know how yours goes.
Steve A
BTW Gary, whats your interest in this. For me, I am planning solo to Catalina Island.

Edited by - piseas on 11/17/2007 10:25:36

Page: of 2

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.