Anyone have a recommendation on a good PFD to get? inflatable? manual or automatic? fanny pack type? jacket? vest? Too many to choose from!
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how do you sail??
I guess it depends on what type of sailing you do. I race, so I just bought an auto inflate STEARNS pfd with harness ( Defender cost $139.BEST PRICES!!) I also own a WEST Marine belt pack (approx. $50) that I use for daysailing. It doesn't get in the way and you can't even tell you're weraing it.
I guess it depends on what type of sailing you do. I race, so I just bought an auto inflate STEARNS pfd with harness ( Defender cost $139.BEST PRICES!!) I also own a WEST Marine belt pack (approx. $50) that I use for daysailing. It doesn't get in the way and you can't even tell you're weraing it.
Hi JoJo, I chose the same as Mike...
Stearns auto inflate vest with built in harness for the Admiral and I, on sale for $120 each. I did the double tether (six and three footer) with quick release. The two 40 foot jack lines I got from a local hardware store. One inch flat yellow nylon strapping rated at 10,000 pound service strength, about one third the cost of WM. It has a loop on one end for the bow cleat and bitter end for the stern cleat. Terry
Stearns auto inflate vest with built in harness for the Admiral and I, on sale for $120 each. I did the double tether (six and three footer) with quick release. The two 40 foot jack lines I got from a local hardware store. One inch flat yellow nylon strapping rated at 10,000 pound service strength, about one third the cost of WM. It has a loop on one end for the bow cleat and bitter end for the stern cleat. Terry
Fanny Pack PFD
I really liked my Mustang fanny-pack style manual inflatable until I tried it out in the pool last summer. It inflates well, but is tough to get over your head in the pool, much less in a rough sea state. My kids have Sospenders hybrid inflatables which work great. I'm now using the autoinflatable Sospenders from WM.
I really liked my Mustang fanny-pack style manual inflatable until I tried it out in the pool last summer. It inflates well, but is tough to get over your head in the pool, much less in a rough sea state. My kids have Sospenders hybrid inflatables which work great. I'm now using the autoinflatable Sospenders from WM.
just wear one...type not as important
jojo, i applaud your concern for safety. not enough sailors seem to take the pfd issue very seriously. while there are many fine pfd's to choose from, i prefer auto inflate mustang products. they seem to be well made, respected and cg approved. the thinking is since they are more comfortable to wear, one is more likely to wear them. on the otherhand, my friend jenny who crews on a boat called daisy lane, prefers the inherently buoyant type. it really is a matter of personal taste and what type of sailing you will be doing. g.
jojo, i applaud your concern for safety. not enough sailors seem to take the pfd issue very seriously. while there are many fine pfd's to choose from, i prefer auto inflate mustang products. they seem to be well made, respected and cg approved. the thinking is since they are more comfortable to wear, one is more likely to wear them. on the otherhand, my friend jenny who crews on a boat called daisy lane, prefers the inherently buoyant type. it really is a matter of personal taste and what type of sailing you will be doing. g.
fanny pack note
you do have to be conscious, and relatively unharmed and unencumbered to pull these over your head after the fact (namely, winding up in the water for whatever reason).
you do have to be conscious, and relatively unharmed and unencumbered to pull these over your head after the fact (namely, winding up in the water for whatever reason).
PFDs....
A few years ago I would have been severly injured had I not been wearing a Type III vest-type PFD. I needed to go forward while underway and tripped while at the bow. Luckily, I fell backward. If I fell forward, I would have gone overboard. Anyway, I fell backward and came down hard on a deck cleat. The foam padding of the PFD absorbed most of the hit and prevented me from getting a more serious injury.
A few years ago I would have been severly injured had I not been wearing a Type III vest-type PFD. I needed to go forward while underway and tripped while at the bow. Luckily, I fell backward. If I fell forward, I would have gone overboard. Anyway, I fell backward and came down hard on a deck cleat. The foam padding of the PFD absorbed most of the hit and prevented me from getting a more serious injury.
kayak jacket
Although I own four of the inflatable harnass types of PFDs, I've taken to wearing my Lotus Designs kayak life jacket when racing. About the only time I put on one of the inflatables is when I'm wearing my foulies and need to tether to jacklines. Otherwise, the kayak jacket is far more comfy.
Although I own four of the inflatable harnass types of PFDs, I've taken to wearing my Lotus Designs kayak life jacket when racing. About the only time I put on one of the inflatables is when I'm wearing my foulies and need to tether to jacklines. Otherwise, the kayak jacket is far more comfy.
inflatable is very comfortable
The inflatable PFD is extremely comfortable. I find that I wear it all the time, which was not the case with the mustang jacket that I was using previously. I have a SOSuspenders manual. Did not get the version with the built in harness as at the time I knew nothing about these inflatables and just wanted to try it out. The next one I buy will be with the built in harness for those occassions when the admiral wants me tied to the boat. Although somewhat more expensive than a traditional PFD, it is money well spent and could save your life. Chris
The inflatable PFD is extremely comfortable. I find that I wear it all the time, which was not the case with the mustang jacket that I was using previously. I have a SOSuspenders manual. Did not get the version with the built in harness as at the time I knew nothing about these inflatables and just wanted to try it out. The next one I buy will be with the built in harness for those occassions when the admiral wants me tied to the boat. Although somewhat more expensive than a traditional PFD, it is money well spent and could save your life. Chris
Crewsaver is good - with harness is better
auto inflated is good. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK IT OUT THOROUGHLY AND DO NOT BECOME COMPLACENT JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE AT THE DOCK. INFLATE IT MANUALLY AND IMAGINE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IN THE WATER. YOU (MOST OF YOU) CANNOT LIFT AN ADULT WITH YOUR FINGERS THROUGH THE D-RING ON THE HARNESS. YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GRASP THE HARNESS WHEN THE PERSON IS PULLING DOWN IT. I SUGGEST A FULL FLEDGED TEST IN WARM WATER WHERE YOU ARE SAFE AND SECURE. See what it is like to fall in and what it is like to have it autoinflate. It is VERY instructive to try to lift someone wearing heavy clothing when they are soaking wet and unable to assist. The one occasion when it literally saved my wifes life, her lifting strap was still packed as shipped and not accessible to allow me to lift her out of the water. We had test inflated these and never realized that the lifting strap was so important or that its packing location could be a problem. When the Crewsaver (at least ours and maybe others as well) inflates, the harness is not useful for lifting the person because it becomes unusable to the person above. If there is a tether attached, that is the best.
auto inflated is good. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK IT OUT THOROUGHLY AND DO NOT BECOME COMPLACENT JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE AT THE DOCK. INFLATE IT MANUALLY AND IMAGINE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IN THE WATER. YOU (MOST OF YOU) CANNOT LIFT AN ADULT WITH YOUR FINGERS THROUGH THE D-RING ON THE HARNESS. YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GRASP THE HARNESS WHEN THE PERSON IS PULLING DOWN IT. I SUGGEST A FULL FLEDGED TEST IN WARM WATER WHERE YOU ARE SAFE AND SECURE. See what it is like to fall in and what it is like to have it autoinflate. It is VERY instructive to try to lift someone wearing heavy clothing when they are soaking wet and unable to assist. The one occasion when it literally saved my wifes life, her lifting strap was still packed as shipped and not accessible to allow me to lift her out of the water. We had test inflated these and never realized that the lifting strap was so important or that its packing location could be a problem. When the Crewsaver (at least ours and maybe others as well) inflates, the harness is not useful for lifting the person because it becomes unusable to the person above. If there is a tether attached, that is the best.
Sospenders Inflatable w/ Harness
We have Sospenders manual inflatables with integral harness. They are very comfortable. As a matter of fact they are so comfortable that we wear them at all times, unlike our previous vest style jackets. You don't come aboard "Parrot Tales" unless you are prepared to wear one. Period. Frequently available on Ebay for around $100. There is recent review of belt type units in Practical Sailor. Belt packs still require that you slip vest over your head after inflation. I find that unacceptable in severe conditions. Jon McClain
We have Sospenders manual inflatables with integral harness. They are very comfortable. As a matter of fact they are so comfortable that we wear them at all times, unlike our previous vest style jackets. You don't come aboard "Parrot Tales" unless you are prepared to wear one. Period. Frequently available on Ebay for around $100. There is recent review of belt type units in Practical Sailor. Belt packs still require that you slip vest over your head after inflation. I find that unacceptable in severe conditions. Jon McClain
PFDs and hypothermia
Sospenders-type flotation is convenient, comfortable and effective. However in cold water, hypothermia is as much a concern as drowning. Flotation jackets or suits aren't as comfortable or convenient as inflatable pfds, and certainly aren't as common. Any cold water sailors care to comment on their practices besides trying to stay out of the water?
Sospenders-type flotation is convenient, comfortable and effective. However in cold water, hypothermia is as much a concern as drowning. Flotation jackets or suits aren't as comfortable or convenient as inflatable pfds, and certainly aren't as common. Any cold water sailors care to comment on their practices besides trying to stay out of the water?
PFD Choice
Suggest you take the time to visit the Practical Sailor website and get the reports they did on Vest and belt style PFDs. http://practical-sailor.com/ PS 1 Oct tested 8 vests and gave the nod to Mustang. The Crewsaver vest was rated the number one vest and is certified to European standards, but it is not yet certified by USCG. PS 15 Jan tested belt style PFDs and Sospenders 38MBP was recommended. I wear the auto inflatable harness vest by Sospenders and find it a little heavy and tends to rub on your neck unless you have a collar or jacket with a collar. This may be a characteristic of this type III PFD. I guess the belt style is better than nothing. They are cheaper and more comfortable than the vests. PS puts it pretty well: "You must be able to yank the cord, pull the inflated bladder over your head, and then tighten and tie the strapping." We also have the Mustang jacket which is very comfortable when it's cold, but it does not breath, and off it comes as soon as it warms up.
Suggest you take the time to visit the Practical Sailor website and get the reports they did on Vest and belt style PFDs. http://practical-sailor.com/ PS 1 Oct tested 8 vests and gave the nod to Mustang. The Crewsaver vest was rated the number one vest and is certified to European standards, but it is not yet certified by USCG. PS 15 Jan tested belt style PFDs and Sospenders 38MBP was recommended. I wear the auto inflatable harness vest by Sospenders and find it a little heavy and tends to rub on your neck unless you have a collar or jacket with a collar. This may be a characteristic of this type III PFD. I guess the belt style is better than nothing. They are cheaper and more comfortable than the vests. PS puts it pretty well: "You must be able to yank the cord, pull the inflated bladder over your head, and then tighten and tie the strapping." We also have the Mustang jacket which is very comfortable when it's cold, but it does not breath, and off it comes as soon as it warms up.
A very personnal choice...
it's almost like asking "What kind of shoes should I buy?". It really depends on what you're doing, where you're doing it, what you need and expect, etc. With all of that in mind, my general favorite for 90% of the time I spend on the water is a SOSpenders auto-inflate with the integral harness. There are other good brands of this basic thing, but any auto-inflater with a harness would likely be the best bet for most people. For me anyway, the choices lined up like this: regular PFD-too hot, bulky and uncomfortable; manual inflatable-much better, but what if I end up in the water either unconcious or otherwise unable to activate it?; autoinflate without a harness-even better, but if I suddenly need to go forward in big water, I have to put on another piece of equipment; and so the decision was made. I have also found that guests aboard the boat are much less likely to complain about having to wear an A-F pfd than a standard, this is doubley true with kids. The only downside (you know there had to be one!) is cost. At an average of $150-$200 a pop, they sure ain't cheap! I carry 4 adult size and one kid size 'hybrid' on the boat, so I'm well aware of this problem, but in the long run I felt it was a worthy expenditure. If they only save one life, they've all been paid for a hundred times over! One last thing to consider, IMHO, is accessories for the jackets. Tucked inside each one (and securely fastened) is a whistle and a strobe light. The adult jackets also have a webbing knife and a single handheld aerial flare. I figure if I'm in the water watching the boat move away, these things just might come in handy! I'm also considering adding a 'rescue streamer' and a 'laser flare' to the jscket inventory, although these would likely only be added when I'm blue water sailing or perhaps singlehanding at night. On a bright summer day on the little lake where I spend most of my time on the water, I can't really see the added weight and bulk for something that would likely be of little use on a small lake full of other boats. (BTW, has anyone tried one of those 'rescue streamers'? What did you think of it?) Anyhow, when you figure up all the money that it costs to own and maintain a boat, spending some serious coin on lifejackets doesn't seem like a bad idea! Jeff
it's almost like asking "What kind of shoes should I buy?". It really depends on what you're doing, where you're doing it, what you need and expect, etc. With all of that in mind, my general favorite for 90% of the time I spend on the water is a SOSpenders auto-inflate with the integral harness. There are other good brands of this basic thing, but any auto-inflater with a harness would likely be the best bet for most people. For me anyway, the choices lined up like this: regular PFD-too hot, bulky and uncomfortable; manual inflatable-much better, but what if I end up in the water either unconcious or otherwise unable to activate it?; autoinflate without a harness-even better, but if I suddenly need to go forward in big water, I have to put on another piece of equipment; and so the decision was made. I have also found that guests aboard the boat are much less likely to complain about having to wear an A-F pfd than a standard, this is doubley true with kids. The only downside (you know there had to be one!) is cost. At an average of $150-$200 a pop, they sure ain't cheap! I carry 4 adult size and one kid size 'hybrid' on the boat, so I'm well aware of this problem, but in the long run I felt it was a worthy expenditure. If they only save one life, they've all been paid for a hundred times over! One last thing to consider, IMHO, is accessories for the jackets. Tucked inside each one (and securely fastened) is a whistle and a strobe light. The adult jackets also have a webbing knife and a single handheld aerial flare. I figure if I'm in the water watching the boat move away, these things just might come in handy! I'm also considering adding a 'rescue streamer' and a 'laser flare' to the jscket inventory, although these would likely only be added when I'm blue water sailing or perhaps singlehanding at night. On a bright summer day on the little lake where I spend most of my time on the water, I can't really see the added weight and bulk for something that would likely be of little use on a small lake full of other boats. (BTW, has anyone tried one of those 'rescue streamers'? What did you think of it?) Anyhow, when you figure up all the money that it costs to own and maintain a boat, spending some serious coin on lifejackets doesn't seem like a bad idea! Jeff
Like Jeff said...
Auto-inflating with a harness. We use Sospenders and they are lightweight and comfortable. A manual PFD wont do you any good if you are knocked out. No PFD will do you any good if you aren't wearing it.
Auto-inflating with a harness. We use Sospenders and they are lightweight and comfortable. A manual PFD wont do you any good if you are knocked out. No PFD will do you any good if you aren't wearing it.
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