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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Good PFD for ocean race

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/22/2012 : 07:46:43

I am crewing on a Ranger 29 for The Harvest Moon Regatta. It is a 150 mile run between Galveston and Corpus Christie that looks like it hugs the coast.

http://www.harvestmoonregatta.com/MainNav/Race-Tracking-and-Replay/2012-105.html

I was thinking I might want to get some kind of inflatable PFD that would be more suited to wearing during the race than the full vest ones I have for lake sailing. I don't want to spend a bunch of money.

can anyone give me some suggestions? Belt VS vest? Brands?

Peter Powers
1979 TR/FK #1390
~Stephanos~
Bayview Marina,
Lake Ray Hubbard
Dallas, TX

Edited by - PCP777 on 08/22/2012 07:48:03

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2012 : 07:55:15

Da boat named??

Edited by - on

CarbonSink62
Navigator

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USA
208 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2012 : 08:23:26

I have this one:

Revere ComfortMax Plus Inflatable PFD With Harness

I got it from Defender; it looks well made and is very comfortable.

I hope to never know how well it works.

I think I paid just over $100

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2012 : 08:32:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redeye
 Da boat named??
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Don't know yet.

That Revere looks nice but I see it for about $200.

This one has good reviews, what do you guys think?

http://www.amazon.com/Onyx-Co2-Manual-Vest-Universal-Adult/dp/B0032APAVO/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t?ie=UTF8&colid=2TKLW5KPQNEJW&coliid=IBBA4PNNPT1JJ

Edited by - PCP777 on 08/22/2012 08:36:57

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2012 : 09:00:35

I don't know anything about the Onyx brand and can't vouch for it, but the price is certainly right. It's sold on Amazon, and has fairly good customer reviews. Beware, however, that inflatable pfds are not returnable. http://www.amazon.com/Onyx-Co2-Automatic-Vest-Universal-Adult/dp/B0032ALK36/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_cp_1

Edit: You beat me to it, Peter!

The one you looked at is manual. The one I showed can be used either as manual or automatic. For a few dollars more, I'd get the automatic.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 08/22/2012 09:07:01

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2012 : 09:03:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 I don't know anything about the Onyx brand and can't vouch for it, but the price is certainly right. It's sold on Amazon, and has fairly good customer reviews. Beware, however, that inflatable pfds are not returnable. http://www.amazon.com/Onyx-Co2-Automatic-Vest-Universal-Adult/dp/B0032ALK36/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_cp_1
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yeah I saw that in another review.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2012 : 10:19:08

I tend to put my safety equipment choices in the big brand names.

Don't skimp on SE gear.

Paul

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2012 : 11:42:53

I have one Mustang automatic inflatable PFD with harness (& added crotch strap), and one Sospenders automatic inflatable PFD.

Don't wanna be penny wise and pound foolish!

Edited by - on

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2012 : 12:15:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 I don't want to spend a bunch of money. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

When you need it....you'll pay anything for it.....

There is no spoon.

Edited by - Joe Diver on 08/22/2012 12:17:03

vipermagic
1st Mate

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USA
69 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2012 : 13:29:58

After reading the Fallarones report, I wouldn't consider a PFD - especially an offshore PFD- without a crotch strap.

Scary stuff ahead:
http://media.ussailing.org/AssetFactory.aspx?vid=18654

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2012 : 16:17:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by vipermagic
 After reading the Fallarones report, I wouldn't consider a PFD - especially an offshore PFD- without a crotch strap.

Scary stuff ahead:
http://media.ussailing.org/AssetFactory.aspx?vid=18654
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yep... Major failure on the part of most if not all manufacturers. Should be included. Not a fan of auto inflators. They have been known to autoinflate when a wave washes over the boat. The key to sailing is to make sure you don't get knocked unconscious. Pfd or not, if you are unconscious, you will be very hard to retrieve.

Also, if the vessel turtles, an autoinflate would hinder your escape if you were down below.

Harness and tether would be my choice, provided there is something to clip onto.

Sten

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2012 : 07:30:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by vipermagic
 After reading the Fallarones report, I wouldn't consider a PFD - especially an offshore PFD- without a crotch strap.

Scary stuff ahead:
http://media.ussailing.org/AssetFactory.aspx?vid=18654
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yep... Major failure on the part of most if not all manufacturers. Should be included. Not a fan of auto inflators. They have been known to autoinflate when a wave washes over the boat. The key to sailing is to make sure you don't get knocked unconscious. Pfd or not, if you are unconscious, you will be very hard to retrieve.

Also, if the vessel turtles, an autoinflate would hinder your escape if you were down below.

Harness and tether would be my choice, provided there is something to clip onto.

Sten
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'm sure the boat will have jack lines etc. I went ahead and ordered the auto inflate one, as it also has a switch where it only inflates if I pull the tether. Again, this is only a 24 hour or so race, not like I'm crossing an ocean and having something like this will make my rare single handing in the lake safer. If I was a frequent long distance/off shore sailor I'd drop a few hundred on it.

Thanks for the feedback.

Edited by - on

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