Association Forum - Auto-Inflating PFD's

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

Auto-Inflating PFD's

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

USA
4304 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/18/2008 : 16:13:58

After my wild sole ride a couple of weeks ago I want to invest in a good auto-inflating PDF. I know we recently discussed PFD's but was wondering if anyone has any new information about a preferred make and model of auto-inflating PFD's? WM has one on sale but if there is something better I'd like to know about it.

I'd also like to know what length tether would be best for use on my C25? I'm thinking I'll go with one that retracts or is otherwise short until needed.

Thank you in advance for your help and support!

Association Member

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

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 16:32:30

Not an expert but, here's my opinion. About worth its cost. I bought the WM manual inflate PFD last year and found them not to be comfortable for me. So, I didn't wear it as often as I probably should have -- i.e. always -- I only put it on in more adverse conditions. It was the shape at the neck that I found uncomfortable. This may have as much to do with my body/neck shape as with the design of the vest. The auto-inflate is the same style vest with a different arming mechanism. The point here is, try it on and wear it around the store for a while.

That said, I found an [url="http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|135|439|838894&id=533351"]auto-inflate Sospenders brand [/url] with built in harness on sale over the winter at Defender for $169. I bought one and also bought a [url="http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|135|88189&id=904926"]6' double ended tether [/url] at the same time. The Sospender brand seems to have a wider neck area. It feels a bit more comfortable for me although with the harness it is substantially heavier.

The purpose of the tether is to keep you on the boat in the event of a fall. With that in mind, a tether longer than about 6' defeats the purpose

Edited by - John Russell on 04/18/2008 16:33:16

piseas
Former Treasurer

Members Avatar

USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 16:43:50

Gary, I have done pretty extensive research on these safety products, including what others has said on this forum. My recommendations:
Mustang Auto Hydrostatic Inflatable PFD. Best you can buy. And only a little more than non hydrostatic which has a 5 yr warranty vs 1 or 2 years for non hydro. This means no inflating in rain and wave splash. You have to be in 4"s of water. Auto inflate will deploy if you are knocked overboard and are unconscious. This model also has a sailing harness. This costs about $240 at defender.com. WM should match it.
You will need a tether. I recommend Wichard 7015. It is a double action safety hooks that wont open at the wrong time. Again a little more, about $132 for 6'.
Finally, you will want to invest in jacklines. Best is having line on both side of your boat but one will suffice. I am still researching these but they are pretty standard stuff, either Wichard)defender.com) or WM which is made from a reputable manufac.(name escapes me) goes for $50 for 30'.
Bottom line, I think, like me, you are concerned about your safety. For a few extra dollars, you get so much more. And we are talking about your life. I do all blue water sailing and sometimes go solo. I had one close call too many which resulted from a severe leg cramp.
You might also want to look into a handheld VHF. Standard Horizon model HX 850x, $212, has a build in GPS and it floats. Again a little more but ask how many on this forum have dropped theirs in the water.
I will be glad to continue discussion. In the mean time, Good luck.
Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 04/18/2008 16:54:40

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 16:56:35

We use WM PFDs made by Sospenders. They are quite comfortable for us. Get a PFD with the built in harness. I don't think a 25 foot boat needs jacklines. We installed folding padeyes in the cockpit for tethering. For going forward I have a tether attached to the mast base and we attach our tether to it. The padeyes on the coaming allow a person full range of the cockpit and entry to the cabin. We have a furler and in rough conditions no one goes forward unless there is a problem that must be fixed right then.

[url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/40097/377%20710/0/padeye%20wichard/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=padeye%20wichard&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=padeye%20wichard&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=2&subdeptNum=323&classNum=340"]Wichard Padeye[/url]

Edited by - Nautiduck on 04/18/2008 16:57:49

piseas
Former Treasurer

Members Avatar

USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 17:33:05

Randy, It was my jammed furler which forced me to go forward while sailing solo. I was being very careful but whatever I did, I got the leg cramp. I went to the bow on my butt, to manually roll jib. I was lucky I didn't fall off. It was somewhat rough out there by this time.
My C250 does not have any folding padeyes to attach a tether to and the cost of the ones your link points to is about the same cost or lower than a jackline.
If you have something to attach a tether too, great but you better be sure it will hold your weight. With a jackline, you are already attached to it in the cockpit and can safely walk to bow if needed. I would not want to make trip to bow unless I was already attached to something like a jackline vs having to attach myself to the padeye at the bow, etc.
Just my thoughts-but based on all our experiences.
Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 04/18/2008 17:35:35

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3462 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 17:50:02

I am using the WM 4000 self-inflatable PFD. It and some others on the market have a window where you can see if the CO2 cartridge is fully charged - I think that is of some benefit....maybe not depending on how CO2 could come out and not be aware of that ?
Anyway, it fits fine for me but discussions on this topic seem to indicate there may be more comfortable models out there...like the Mustang unit. Guess it is best to try them on and see what you think.

I always where it ! I am use to it. Though, sometimes when guests are onboard, they wonder why I get the fancy self-inflatable and they get the standard (vest style) PFDs. I usually respond because if I fell overboard it is doubtful anyone onboard would know enough how to turn the boat around and get it close enough to save me !

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

Members Avatar

USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 18:05:33

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OLarryR
 sometimes when guests are onboard, they wonder why I get the fancy self-inflatable and they get the standard (vest style) PFDs. I usually respond because if I fell overboard it is doubtful anyone onboard would know enough how to turn the boat around and get it close enough to save me !
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Larry, good answer. But that's kinda scary, right? Another good reason to tether up and/or teach guests what to do if....
Steve A

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 22:26:40

Steve, those padeyes are made for being tether points and the bonus is they are always there, no need to deploy a jackline. For going forward we have a tether always affixed to the mast base, Just clip it on (in the cockpit) and go forward. As for cost, yes the padeyes are expensive but i find them worth it because they are always ready to be used.

Here is a photo of the port coaming padeye. There is one on the starboard coaming as well. Tethered to one of these gives access to the entire cockpit and allows the person to untether from within the cabin.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 04/18/2008 22:56:53

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 08:23:08

Randy, I assume you tether to windward?

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 10:33:04

John, the skipper tethers to the pedestal. The crew uses the padeyes.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 04/19/2008 10:33:48

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 21:09:17

Thank you everyone! I have one more question. How should the jacklines be installed on a C25?

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

Members Avatar

USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 22:14:03

Randy, I will look into padeyes. My concern was having to go forward w/o being attached. Thasts why I favor jacklines. Your way sounds cleaner. Its got my interest. Sounds like a 6' tether would allow me to always be attached. Thanks for the tip.
Steve A

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 22:24:17

Thank you everyone! I have one more question. How should the jacklines be installed on a C25?

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

Members Avatar

USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2008 : 15:23:33

Gary, check out WM'S product advise: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/westadvisor/10001/-1/10001/SafetyHarnessesJacklines.htm
Steve A

Edited by - on

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.