West Marine Auto Inflatable PFD

Status
Not open for further replies.
U

uploadjoe

.
Jul 25, 2005
124
- - -
I have been eyeballing Inflatable PFD's as the Admiral insists I wear a PFD (not that I disagree) and I think an inflatable would be more comfortable and cooler, temperature wise ;), than my current PFD. Anyway I got a flyer from West Marine in my mail today and they have their Auto Inflatables on sale for $89.99 and I happen to have a $50 gift certificate. So it would be real cheap for me to purchase. I am wondering about the quality. Anyone have any experience with the West Marine inflatables? Thanks, Jeremy
 
Rick D

Rick D

.
Jun 14, 2008
7,187
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Lots

I use mine all the time. It has a harness integrated. Most of my more serious friends use them too. Comfortable and non-intrusive. RD
 
Marc14857

Marc14857

.
Jun 5, 2004
485
Hunter 44 Mystic, Ct
Inflatable PFDs

My wife and I have Sospenders Auto inflatable with a built in D ring. We wear them all the time and they are very comfortable. I think we paid about $160 each. Don't know who manufactures the West Marine models but I would guess it is one of the major manufacturers.
 
OldCat

OldCat

.
Jul 26, 2005
728
Catalina , Nacra 5.8, Laser, Hobie Hawk Wonmop, CO
WM OK

WM Inflatables are (I think) made by SOSpenders/Stearns. I am very happy with the quality of my new WM 4000. The only concerns that I would have with your choice are: 1. It apears that you are looking at their new "Comfort" series vests - these don't have a harness integrated - sometime you may be in bad weather or sailing at night where being able to tether to the boat is a safety advantage. 2. The "Comfort" series appears to have only type III bouyancy, not type II as some of their other vests. A type II would be better in rougher water, like where I was last weekend. 3. If you travel to sail by air, some airlines won't allow the CO2 cartridge to be carried - last weekend I was stopping in to get an inflater kit at WM in Marina Del Rey for that reason. This can be a hidden cost of inflatable ownership - but I do really like my vest. If you are OK with the above - then it should work well for you.
 
R

Rick

WM Inflating vest

We have two WM 3000 series and two WM auto 4000 series, all are auto inflate and w/ harnesses. Looked carefully at Strictly Sail cChicago at Mustang and then compared to WM. From all the details, I thought Mustang manufactured the WM vests. Compare cloth, weight and arming systems and they are identical. Most significant difference between the 3000 and 4000, the 4000 is slightly heavier fabric and comes w/ 2 arming kits(pill and cannister). The second rearming kit pays for the price difference. Fortunately, we have not had to put the vests to the test.
 
N

Nice N Easy

Life vest

I have the WM 4000. Love it. Have never needed it but it is reasonably comfortable to wear, and has a built in harness. I would go with a model with a harness. You just never know when it might be needed.
 
L

Liam

.
Apr 5, 2005
241
Beneteau 331 Santa Cruz
Like wearing seatbelts in car

About a year ago my wife decided that I should always wear one. At first it felt funny but I have gotten used to it. In fact at this point it feels funny NOT to wear it, like not having my seatbelt on in the car. I would suggest spending the extra $50 or so to get the built it harness.
 
Capt Jim24025

Capt Jim24025

.
Aug 26, 2005
101
Oday 27 Corpus Christi
Won't sail without one.

Everyone on my boat wears inflatable PFDs. I have a variety. Even the teenage girls suning on the foredeck wear one (admittedly, it has to be the fanny-pack style for them). I now have 2 fanny-packs, 2 regular non-harness, and 2 w/harness for offshore/foul weather. When I bought my first pair about 5 years ago, WM price matched the cheaper Sospenders at Academy because they said that Sospenders makes the WM brand because WM owns a significant percentage of Sospenders. I don't know if that is still true. Jim
 
Paul J. Rusyniak

Paul J. Rusyniak

.
Jan 24, 2008
293
Alerion Express 28 Oneida Lake, NY
AUTO-INFLATABLE

Jeremy: Bought my Wife an auto-inflate SOS model last year and took it back in one day! The collar was so poorly designed that it would have rubbed her neck raw in a day’s sail. Shopped around and eventually bought a MUSTANG that worked out very well. In addition to all the other considerations posted here, suggest you look at the comfort factor. If it’s really uncomfortable, and you don’t wear it……… Paul s/v Pretty Lady
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom