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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Comfortable Children's Life Jacket

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RAG Sailor
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144 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/02/2014 : 13:19:17

I have a 1 year old and 4 year old grand children. I bought the West Marine life jackets for them and they are misriable in them. They look like mummies. Anyone have experience with finding a more comfortable type that will protect them properly?

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 08/02/2014 : 16:32:44

This reminds me of the time someone asked me how many people can sleep comfortably on the Catalina 25, to which I replied "none!"

We purchased the vest style life jackets for our grand kids. They don't even notice they are wearing one.

Edited by - OJ on 08/02/2014 19:00:18

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5376 Posts

Response Posted - 08/03/2014 : 09:05:28

I bought a "Deluxe Mesh Top Life Jacket" from Cabelas, but Overtons and Bass Pro shops has similar types. Even West Marine has this type. It has floatation around and above the waist, and behind the back, but over the shoulders and on the chest is an open weave mesh. Some with velcro pockets, some not. Aside from my inflatable Mustang, this is my favorite PFD. I can wear it all season even in the heat since it has the open mesh, and doesn't bind anywhere. I keep my old full-front vests around in case I get a guest who I'm not too fond of. An uncomfortable vest can make a spin on the boat short, but sweet!

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dmpilc
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Response Posted - 08/07/2014 : 11:17:08

For the younger one, you definitely should have the type with floatation in a collar, crotch strap, and a grab handle on top. The mesh ones sound good for the older one, although he/she might still benefit from one with the crotch strap. Overton's always has a good selection of life jackets. you might check out Academy Sports, too.

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shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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Response Posted - 08/07/2014 : 16:04:06

Use the collar type, but I'm sorry haven't found one of them that was worth a hoot for comfort. Non-breathable garbage... teach the 4yo to swim, move to a floatation device that is a mini-adult. the 1yo can't complain (yet)... once they can, oh boy.

I'll add that it's been about 10 years since I've had to deal with it, maybe things have gotten better.. likely not.

Edited by - shnool on 08/08/2014 06:51:28

dmpilc
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Response Posted - 08/08/2014 : 14:59:52

How about these from Overton's? There's also a page for infants.
http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Overtons-Child-BioLite-Vest&i=44084

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RAG Sailor
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Response Posted - 08/08/2014 : 15:25:43

Thanks all for your input. My wife and daughter were also searching and they think they found a solution from LL Bean:

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/73170?feat=child life jacket-SR0&page=discovery-child-pfd&attrValue_0=Red&productId=1204511

Anyone have any experience with these models. The infant and child (under 50 lbs) look the same and both have the behind the head pad. We're using it for a lake so a USGC Type II is appropriate.

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OJ
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Response Posted - 08/08/2014 : 19:30:14

Nice part about Bean is their satisfaction guarantee. Everything we've bought from them thus far has been quality.

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OJ
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Response Posted - 08/08/2014 : 19:30:45

Nice part about Bean is their satisfaction guarantee. Everything we've bought from them thus far has been quality.

Edited by - on

Voyager
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Response Posted - 08/09/2014 : 08:53:08

OJ - Me three!
One thing about neoprene is that they are intended for higher-speed applications such as sea-doos and waterskiing. I would not advise small kids taking part in either sport.
IMHO, neoprene jackets are overkill for sail or paddlers.
I agree that for babies and non-swimming kids, behind the neck floatation and crotch straps are a must.
Best of luck finding the right type.
Hmmmm.... maybe there's a new business niche here: kid-sized lightweight meshtop PFDs with crotch straps, behind the neck floatation and a grab handle! $99.95 too much?

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sdpinaz
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Response Posted - 08/09/2014 : 18:49:30

what about a harness and anchor that won't let them out of the cockpit? I have read that many live-aboard families with little children don't put them into PFD's until they are old enough to be safe wandering around outside the cockpit. of course, if you are getting in and out of a dingy all the time, you will want a PFD, depends on how you sail with them. At work we have PFD's for little kids, but I think the smallest person would be 5 years old that they would fit and they look awfully uncomfortable as you mentioned.

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dmpilc
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4593 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2014 : 08:24:49

Granddaughter 2 1/2 yrs old seems very comfortable in the finis brand life jacket my daughter bought on Zulilly.com. It has the large floatation collar with grab handle, crotch strap, floatation in front, ans a clsed side vest. It also has an elastic waist.
Also, swimoutlet.com has a good selection of kids life jackets, mainly Stearns brand, but some Body Glove too. several looked comfortable.
I know I mentioned Overton's above, but personally, I like the O'Rageous brand at Academy Sports:
http://www.academy.com/shop/browse/recreation-leisure-water-sports-life-vests-jackets/_/N-359244086

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RAG Sailor
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144 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2014 : 15:19:58

quote:
Originally posted by dmpilc

Granddaughter 2 1/2 yrs old seems very comfortable in the finis brand life jacket my daughter bought on Zulilly.com. It has the large floatation collar with grab handle, crotch strap, floatation in front, ans a clsed side vest. It also has an elastic waist.
Also, swimoutlet.com has a good selection of kids life jackets, mainly Stearns brand, but some Body Glove too. several looked comfortable.
I know I mentioned Overton's above, but personally, I like the O'Rageous brand at Academy Sports:
http://www.academy.com/shop/browse/recreation-leisure-water-sports-life-vests-jackets/_/N-359244086

Thanks for the suggestions. I spoke with my daughter today and she's cool with the collarless one for the 4 year old. However you could have wrapped her up like a mummy and she still was excited to be on board. It's the little one that we need to find something more comfortable than what we have. We'll check out several of the ones you mentioned and post the results.

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