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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Lifevest

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NCBrew
Captain

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USA
338 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/25/2010 : 08:08:38

I am planning on wearing a lifevest all the time while sailing.

I don't want to wear the CG approved standard vest. I need a COMFORTABLE

vest. An suggestions? Item number and where to purchase. As well as cost.

Thanks NCBrew

1998 Catalina 250WK
Ravaging
Albemarle Sound,NC

I spent most of my money on boats and beer, the rest I just wasted.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 08:14:13

I recommend an auto-inflating (with manual override) vest with built in harness. Go to West Marine or similar store and try them on. It is important that the fit be comfortable for you.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 08:32:38

I agree with the inflatable. They're very comfortable. and don't restrict your ability to work the boat. If you singlehand in an area where there are often few other boats nearby, get the inflatable pfd that has a safety harness built-in, and get a tether. You don't have to sail in an isolated area very long until you realize that, if you fall off the boat, and the boat sails away before you can get back on board, you're a goner.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 08:35:34

My Stearns are comfortable enough for my wife and I that we wear them all the time, but follow Randy's advice because they, like us, are all cut to different patterns. Put them on and walk around the store, stretch, pick things up - be active. The harness is personal preference. We have separate harnesses to wear when tethering to the boat is warranted, but an integral harness is convenient if you find one that is comfortable.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 01/25/2010 08:42:12

Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 08:44:30

Ditto what Randy said - auto inflating with manual override, and a built in harness. It's so comfortable I really don't remember I have it on.

At first I only wore a pfd when a storm kicked up, but then 3 things changed. We were knocked down in a microburst one evening with ZERO warning. And then we had the rule that kids had to put PFD's on anytime they came out of the cabin, but I was not setting a good example if I didn't have mine on. Finally, I read some comments from Search and Rescue personnel on our lake about the correlation between local deaths and those not wearing pfds.

When I researched PDFs, here's what I learned and made requirements for my pfd:
- Make sure you get the newer hydrostatic sensors that activate when they are under a couple inches of water, instead of the older sensors that simply sensed when they are wet.
- Added a strobe to aeach jacket - they can be attached and zipped right into the jacket so you don't see them til they inflate. Those strobes are visible for miles. The auto-activating ones are pretty pricey, so we decided on the manually activated strobes. Change batteries at the start of every sailing season.
- If the pfd does not have solas reflective tape, be sure to add some. If someone is knocked unconscious and cannot activate the strobe, the tape will be very helpful to SAR.
- Attach a blunt-nosed sheath knife to your PFD. These are pretty common for rafters and river running. I haven't ever had to use mine, but in an emergency it could be very nice to have a knife on hand - attached to my pfd. The sheaths "lock" the knife in place so it never accidentally comes out, and the blunt tip prevents unintended puncturing.
- To control cost, here is what we decided on: Auto inflating with harness for the Skipper, auto inflating for the Admiral, regular PFDs for the crew. For the crew, we use the ski type vests that are more comfortable to wear. the big orange ones would never be worn.

Edited by - on

Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 10:27:20

Oh, one more item I put on my pfd when I'm single handing is a SPOT satellite messenger. Cheaper than an epirb, and it serves more purposes.

I also have a waterproof, floating handheld vhf, but don't always have that on me. I used to just strap it to my harness when I was worried about conditions, but then while scrambling across the deck in a storm one day it came unclipped and slid over the side. Took me about 8 passes to pick it back up. The wrist strap didn't open up in the water, so there was no using the boat hook. The waves were pretty rough, so I just kept sailing past it until it happened to pass within arm's reach from the cockpit while the radio was on a crest and the boat in a trough (that's the first time I've been thankful for how short and steep the waves get on that lake...)

So this year I'm making two modifications to the handheld vhf: spraypaint the bottom of it bright orange for visibility in the water (it floats upside down), and thread the wrist strap through a piece of clear plastic tubing to hold it open slightly (so I can hook it with the boat hook from a distance.)

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 12:41:08

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Unsinkable2</i>

So this year I'm making two modifications to the handheld vhf: spraypaint the bottom of it bright orange for visibility in the water (it floats upside down), and thread the wrist strap through a piece of clear plastic tubing to hold it open slightly (so I can hook it with the boat hook from a distance.)

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

Terrific suggestions here, I have a Icom IC-M34 and it floats upside down as well.

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 12:42:14

I agree with Randy too. I wear my inflatable with the harness and snap on when going forward. The big discussion is how to snap on going forward. I use the flat ribbon to attach the locking snap. We did buy the inflatable for daughter using the kayak and were advised that it should be manual inflation as in kayaking you could be in the water and you don't want the vest to inflate as you are reentering the kayak. Both vest are very comforable.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 14:45:22

I have an inflatable with a harness as well. The harness makes it a bit heavier than the inflatables without. In fact, it's noticeably heavier making it not as comfortable so, I only wear it when alone. I have one without a harness for other times. I'm thinking about getting one of those fanny pack inflatables.

Edited by - John Russell on 01/25/2010 17:16:36

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 14:56:59

Rita & I both wear auto inflators, with built in harnesses. We have strobes & flashlights, as well as double lanyards, and really-really loud whistles. We bought both of them from WM, but unfortunately they're different manufacturers, which means I have to carry two separate sets of re-arming kits. I wouldn't classify them as comfortable, but they aren't annoying, and we always wear them.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 16:08:40

I am glad to hear this topic is being brought up again. Safety should be on the forefront of every sailors mind. This topic can never be talked about too much.
Some very good info has been mentioned. Do your own homework and research. I believe I paid around $200 at Defender.com
for my inflatable vest but have seen them at WM for around $100 on sale. Also don't forget some sort of man overboard system. I use the Lifesling. If you don't practice using it with a person overboard, do throw over a cushion and practice retrieving the cushion. It is not as easy as you may think and when its for real, its gets a little crazy. But that is for another topic.
Good Luck and always keep "Safety First".
Steve A

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5357 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 20:53:01

I've spent a lot of time seakayaking. You live and die by your PFD.

Now I wear my Mustang inflatable with my manual strobe light. The Admiral has a similar West Marine inflatable.

If you go to a fishing gear store, you can purchase a "pin-on" gear holder for your VHF radio (make sure you don't pin into the inflatable bladder).

It comes with a spring loaded "leash" that allows you to pull on the end and use the equipment, then when you let it go, it will recoil back into place.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 08:33:34

This has been on my mind, I'm going to pick up one of those life slings.

Edited by - on

Even Chance
Captain

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USA
393 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 09:09:50

When I am sailing solo, which is most of the time, I wear one of the West Marine belt packs, like this one:

It's cool and comfortable, and I'm more likely to wear it than something less comfortable.

Brooke

Edited by - Even Chance on 01/26/2010 09:12:44

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 11:17:11

Brooke: That belt-pack is interesting... What happens when you inflate it? WM doesn't show that.

EDIT: There's a video on their site, on the page for the product. It opens up to an around-the-neck vest that you pull up and over your head--not sure if that should be before or after you inflate it.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/26/2010 11:22:52

Even Chance
Captain

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USA
393 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 14:45:11

Dave: When you pull the cord, it deploys and inflates and then you put it over your head. At that point it looks pretty much like a typical Mae West PFD.

Edited by - Even Chance on 01/26/2010 14:47:00

NCBrew
Captain

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USA
338 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2010 : 18:43:14

I went to Bass Pro and bought a Mustang automatic inflating life vest model # MD3087XP. Mustang lists it for $190 and Bass Pro normally sells it for $140 but they had it on sale for $130 so I bought it. I tried it on and it seems very comfortable.

I looked at the inflatable belt but was not impressed with the way it looked when inflated. Also if you hit your head when you fall over it does not auto-inflate.

Only regret is the one I bought does not have a harness but I do own a separate harness I use for tree work so I may try to incorporate that.

Thanks for all the info.

NCBrew

Edited by - NCBrew on 01/30/2010 18:44:13

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2010 : 12:03:54

Patrick, Congrats on the purchase. An inflatable life vest is certainly one item that should be high on everyone list. Not to sound judgmental but my only concern is that it does not have the built in harness. I see that you will incorporate a tree harness and I have no knowledge of how it works or how effective but it does concern me.
I went to the Bass Pro Shop and noticed they did not have any with a harness. I assume this is because they are a fishing site and not a sailing one. The uses and needs of the vests are different. I sail soley offshore, so the harness is very important to me. Sailing in a lake may be different.
I do not know these for you but hope you consider them wisely as your life is much more valuable than a few dollars or convenience.
I hope you take this only as a concern for you and your family.
Steve A

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