Automatic inflatable life jacket solo sailing

[FastOlson]

Echoing another poster, I would also advise using only a pressure-activated PFD. We upgraded about 20 years ago, to a Mustang model ($$$) with well-designed harness. We had a previous type with the "pill" type activator, inflate inside the boat, due to accumulated dampness. Other friends had theirs inflate while working foredeck in rough seas. Really got their attention, as the saying goes.

Nowadays we try to never fall OB because it costs over $65. for a recharge kit. (!) Sort of a financial incentive to stay aboard! Since it's relatively easy to wear, due to being compact, I wear mine for day sails and also for working round our docks at our DIY yacht club.
I once watched a friend fall in, and his "HIT" jacket popped him right back up instantly, soaked but entertaining.
"Good Kit" as they say in some venues.

 

[dlochner]

Other friends had theirs inflate while working foredeck in rough seas. Really got their attention, as the saying goes.

I had one go off in the front seat of my truck while sailing along an Interstate at 65 mph (really officer I swear I thought I was going 65)

 

[capta]

That is an interesting statement. You could always take off the PFD after falling in, if you decided there was no hope.

I don't think I could do that until the torture had had its way.

 

[capta]

Probably better if don't learn to swim either.

Yep, I agree. Stay on the boat, never snorkel, or cool off on a hot day.
Just out of curiosity, have you sailed alone offshore? If so, what would you consider your chances of being saved? Personally, I don't believe in miracles. Apparently, neither do most of the singlehanding professionals.
It's the same with harnesses, especially on the foredeck. Again personally, I would not have wanted to be bashed to death against the hull, strapped to the boat.

 

[Richard19068]

Yep, I agree. Stay on the boat, never snorkel, or cool off on a hot day.
Just out of curiosity, have you sailed alone offshore? If so, what would you consider your chances of being saved? Personally, I don't believe in miracles. Apparently, neither do most of the singlehanding professionals.
It's the same with harnesses, especially on the foredeck. Again personally, I would not have wanted to be bashed to death against the hull, strapped to the boat.

Capta, As far as I've singlehanded is across our local channel 20 miles to Catalina island.
With the wink following my statement I tried to show that it was made in jest. I know that doesn't always translate.
I thought of it because several things I've read implied many sailors in the British Royal Navy in the seventeenth to nineteenth century purposely avoided learning to swim due to the thought that it would only lead to a longer period of agonizing survival before their inevitable drowning.
Cheers.

 

[capta]

I can see it, though phrased differently. "A PFD will not save you in the middle of the ocean and only serves to give you a false sense of safety. Better to be scared enough to stay on the boat at all costs."

Exactly! A PFD could be the difference between staying aboard and going over the side. They can get caught on a wire or lifeline, even momentarily, and pitch one over the side, quicker than one would believe, never mind the false sense of security one feels in protective gear.
Hey there, we're talking about offshore here, not sailing around your home waters on a day sailor.
Just so you know I'm not some nut job, whenever I had to go out on a bowsprit in heavy weather, I always had a line secured around me, but I had one or more of my crew tailing that line. If I fell, which I never did so this is all supposition, the next move was to feed out the line to a predetermined spot, marked with several big knots. This would allow me, even unconscious, to end up aft of the boat in calmer water to be more easily, and safely, pulled aboard.
As you stated JBP-PA, the ultimate rule is, just do not go over the side! But, sh*t happens, some will say. No, it doesn't have to, period! I say that from experience. If one learns, and practices it religiously, situational awareness will keep one safe.
For those new on here, I'm not some ego driven bullsh*t artist, just a guy with more than 6 decades of almost daily experience aboard boats of all sorts, 'round the world. Not one of the people (I have no clue how many) that has sailed with me, including those who have survived hurricanes/cyclones aboard a boat I was operating, has fallen over the side, unintentionally, or had any injury more serious than a few cracked ribs or broken toes or fingers, and each incident was individual, not one person all beat up.
So no, sh*t does not need to happen.

 

[capta]

Capta, As far as I've singlehanded is across our local channel 20 miles to Catalina island.
With the wink following my statement I tried to show that it was made in jest. I know that doesn't always translate.
I thought of it because several things I've read implied many sailors in the British Royal Navy in the seventeenth to nineteenth century purposely avoided learning to swim due to the thought that it would only lead to a longer period of agonizing survival before their inevitable drowning.
Cheers.

I've heard that, too.
However, I would hope that those that sailed the South Seas did, as those Polynesian lovelies surely swam.
As for sailing where you do, there is certainly plenty of traffic in that area, which makes rescue realistic, if not certain.

 

[danooxnard]

From the mini globe website. It is timely to this discussion.

Tough Test – Serious Challenges – Struggling to Cape Town! McIntyre 2025 MGR!

Small Boat. Huge Adventure.

minigloberace.com

Dano

 

[kappykaplan]

From the mini globe website. It is timely to this discussion.

Tough Test – Serious Challenges – Struggling to Cape Town! McIntyre 2025 MGR!

Small Boat. Huge Adventure.

minigloberace.com

Dano

Good read, Dano. Tks for sharing.

 

[jssailem]

He looks like a very fit sailor. It was not his time to drown.

 

[thinwater]

The OP is sailing a small inland lake. Yes, I would say rescue is likely most days in season.

A foam vest would also be fine. More insulation in cold water.

 

[Leeward Rail]

From the mini globe website. It is timely to this discussion.

Tough Test – Serious Challenges – Struggling to Cape Town! McIntyre 2025 MGR!

Small Boat. Huge Adventure.

minigloberace.com

Dano

I wonder what the freeboard of those Globe 5.8 is.

There is no way in hell that a normal person could get back on our current boat, without competent help


We ran a COB review this past summer, just to temper people's delusions of being able to get crew back on the boat,.assuming they get back to them.

How many skilled crew do you have ?
Do you have a block and tackle ready and can you use it ?

Our summary,.for the average two person crew was... "Don't fall off or you are likely dead in an unpleasant way"

 

[SteveHughessails]

Wows, thanks for posting that.
I think I will go with a preventer, short tether with multiple attachment points and I’ll switch from auto to manual inflate on the PFD. This is all baby steps in preparation of larger things. Going outside of the comfort zone. Michelle says, “ I may have to join you”. Things are good.
Thanks again