I'm planning on doing a lot of single-handing in coastal waters. I would like to find a comfortable (and economical) lifevest- preferably Type III. Any recommendations on brands or types would be appreciated.
jserra@prodigy.net
Lifevest recommendation
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Neil Gordon
Re: Lifevest recommendation
>>I'm planning on doing a lot of single-handing in coastal waters.<<
Think about jacklines and a harness, too. Staying on board is the first line of defense. A pfd will keep you afloat, but it won't pull you back onto the boat.
As for pfd's... go to West Marine, etc., and see what's comfortable for you. There are self inflating vests that reduce lots of the bulk, but they're not cheap.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com
Think about jacklines and a harness, too. Staying on board is the first line of defense. A pfd will keep you afloat, but it won't pull you back onto the boat.
As for pfd's... go to West Marine, etc., and see what's comfortable for you. There are self inflating vests that reduce lots of the bulk, but they're not cheap.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com
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Al Levesque
Re: Lifevest recommendation
My choice has been the combined harness and inflatable vest. I think staying with the boat is more important than floating in the water while the boat sails away.Jim Serra wrote: ...Any recommendations on brands or types would be appreciated.
Al
albert.levesque@cwixmail.com
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Jim Serra
Re: Lifevest recommendation
How would you go about adding a harness and lifeline set-up to a Typhoon? It currently doesn't have any lifelines.Neil Gordon wrote: >>I'm planning on doing a lot of single-handing in coastal waters.<<
Think about jacklines and a harness, too. Staying on board is the first line of defense. A pfd will keep you afloat, but it won't pull you back onto the boat.
As for pfd's... go to West Marine, etc., and see what's comfortable for you. There are self inflating vests that reduce lots of the bulk, but they're not cheap.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
jserra@prodigy.net
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Neil Gordon
Re: Lifevest recommendation
>>How would you go about adding a harness and lifeline set-up to a Typhoon?<<
Forget about lifelines for the moment and just think about jacklines. They're simply nylon webbing, running from bow to stern, that you can clip a harness to. Attach to a strong point on the bow (I use a bow cleat) and stern (which on LIQUIDITY is to the base of the winches). Run a line both port and stbd.
If you slip and fall, you might exit your Typhoon... but you will be tethered to the boat and should be able to pull yourself back on board.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com
Forget about lifelines for the moment and just think about jacklines. They're simply nylon webbing, running from bow to stern, that you can clip a harness to. Attach to a strong point on the bow (I use a bow cleat) and stern (which on LIQUIDITY is to the base of the winches). Run a line both port and stbd.
If you slip and fall, you might exit your Typhoon... but you will be tethered to the boat and should be able to pull yourself back on board.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com
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Harvey Wilson
Re: Lifevest recommendation
Hi Jim...Jim Serra wrote: I'm planning on doing a lot of single-handing in coastal waters. I would like to find a comfortable (and economical) lifevest- preferably Type III. Any recommendations on brands or types would be appreciated.
I bought a SOS self inflating vest when I bought Stargazer. After wearing it for two years, I called SOS about installing a harness in it. As luck would have it, they had a few refurbished models with harness that the sold to me for about half of list.
These are the offshore models, and are very comfortable to wear...they make the W-M vests. I'm in the process of adding the recommended safety lines to Stargazer. Probably a bit of overkill, but you can't be too safe.
Harvey/ Ga
s/v Stargazer
harveywilson@compuserve.com
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Chris Reinke
Lifevest recommendations - Plus
Jim - I would like to offer a couple of ideas - perhaps this is more than you are looking for....
When considering the type of lifevest which is appropriate you should consider several factors. If the jacket is uncomfortable are you likely NOT to wear it? Will you be sailing solo so where if you become separated from the boat you may be in the water for an extended period?
If you will be sailing in good weather, daylight conditions, with an adequate crew then a comfortable type III is appropriate. The manually inflated SOSpenders are very comfortable. If the possibility exists that you could be injured while going over the side (hitting the boom, side of hull, toe rail) then you should look at the self-inflating version of the SOSpenders. They are a bit more money and the CO2 cylinder needs periodic replacement but the auto inflation feature is a nice benefit.
If the possibility exists that you could become unconscious while going over the side, then a Type II is needed. The Type II will maintain your head-up position and keep your face out of the water.
On a side note, any member of your crew that is unable to swim (including small children) should be outfitted with a Type II PFD. Several manufacturers produce infant and small children Type III. These jackets are only suited for use in your backyard pool when you are accompanying the child. A young child may not have the motor skills or strength to keep their face out of the water when they are encumbered by a PFD.
If you are doing any solo or night sailing and the potential for spending a long period of time in the water exists then a Type I is recommended. The Type I will provide sufficient floatation and heads-up positioning to allow you to wait for rescue. Unfortunately most Type I PFD are very uncomfortable.
What about a harness? A harness provides the protection of staying in the boat which should always be your first line of defense. A simple system can be created with minimal cost. On my vessel I use a length of nylon mountaineering webbing running from bow to stern cleat on each side. The webbing lays flat on the deck which helps avoid potential falls which can occur as a round line rolls under your foot. By running a single length up each side I can maneuver the length of the boat without needing to unhook or change securing points. Another good thought is to keep your tether line just long enough to allow you the needed reach as you move about the deck. If you go over the side with a long tether you will find yourself being dragged well behind the boat. Even the most fit of sailors (which I am not) would have a hard time pulling themselves forward against the force of the moving water.
The system which I employ is:
- Any crew member who is not a proficient swimmer wears a Type II at ALL times.
- I maintain a supply to Type I to outfit all crew members should a problem arise (weather, sinking) where we could find ourselves in the water. Many boater have a supply of Type II to outfit the crew, but my logic is that if we are going in the water, either deliberately or accidentally, I want the additional floatation of a Type I and the comfort level will be disregarded
- While sailing offshore at night: all crew members are tethered to the vessel while on deck or in cockpit (My harness is the SOSpender combination harness auto-inflating PFD)
- While sailing solo offshore: I wear a tethered auto-inflating SOSpenders.
- While Sailing solo offshore in bad weather: I wear my SOSpenders for the harness function, but also wear a Type I while on deck (EPIRB in pocket but that is another story)
These are only a few suggestions for your consideration. This is a system / practice which has proven effective for me and the sailing which I do. I would suggest you review the type of sailing you are planning on doing, including competency of the crew, and create your own program.
When considering the type of lifevest which is appropriate you should consider several factors. If the jacket is uncomfortable are you likely NOT to wear it? Will you be sailing solo so where if you become separated from the boat you may be in the water for an extended period?
If you will be sailing in good weather, daylight conditions, with an adequate crew then a comfortable type III is appropriate. The manually inflated SOSpenders are very comfortable. If the possibility exists that you could be injured while going over the side (hitting the boom, side of hull, toe rail) then you should look at the self-inflating version of the SOSpenders. They are a bit more money and the CO2 cylinder needs periodic replacement but the auto inflation feature is a nice benefit.
If the possibility exists that you could become unconscious while going over the side, then a Type II is needed. The Type II will maintain your head-up position and keep your face out of the water.
On a side note, any member of your crew that is unable to swim (including small children) should be outfitted with a Type II PFD. Several manufacturers produce infant and small children Type III. These jackets are only suited for use in your backyard pool when you are accompanying the child. A young child may not have the motor skills or strength to keep their face out of the water when they are encumbered by a PFD.
If you are doing any solo or night sailing and the potential for spending a long period of time in the water exists then a Type I is recommended. The Type I will provide sufficient floatation and heads-up positioning to allow you to wait for rescue. Unfortunately most Type I PFD are very uncomfortable.
What about a harness? A harness provides the protection of staying in the boat which should always be your first line of defense. A simple system can be created with minimal cost. On my vessel I use a length of nylon mountaineering webbing running from bow to stern cleat on each side. The webbing lays flat on the deck which helps avoid potential falls which can occur as a round line rolls under your foot. By running a single length up each side I can maneuver the length of the boat without needing to unhook or change securing points. Another good thought is to keep your tether line just long enough to allow you the needed reach as you move about the deck. If you go over the side with a long tether you will find yourself being dragged well behind the boat. Even the most fit of sailors (which I am not) would have a hard time pulling themselves forward against the force of the moving water.
The system which I employ is:
- Any crew member who is not a proficient swimmer wears a Type II at ALL times.
- I maintain a supply to Type I to outfit all crew members should a problem arise (weather, sinking) where we could find ourselves in the water. Many boater have a supply of Type II to outfit the crew, but my logic is that if we are going in the water, either deliberately or accidentally, I want the additional floatation of a Type I and the comfort level will be disregarded
- While sailing offshore at night: all crew members are tethered to the vessel while on deck or in cockpit (My harness is the SOSpender combination harness auto-inflating PFD)
- While sailing solo offshore: I wear a tethered auto-inflating SOSpenders.
- While Sailing solo offshore in bad weather: I wear my SOSpenders for the harness function, but also wear a Type I while on deck (EPIRB in pocket but that is another story)
These are only a few suggestions for your consideration. This is a system / practice which has proven effective for me and the sailing which I do. I would suggest you review the type of sailing you are planning on doing, including competency of the crew, and create your own program.
Jim Serra wrote: I'm planning on doing a lot of single-handing in coastal waters. I would like to find a comfortable (and economical) lifevest- preferably Type III. Any recommendations on brands or types would be appreciated.
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Catherine Monaghan
Re: Lifevest recommendation
Jim,
I wandered around all the vendors' tables at SailExpo in Atlantic City and tried on every inflatable pfd on display. I found the XM Yachting inflatables to be the most comfortable. They also seemed to be the best priced. They come in both manual and auto inflatable models with or without a harness.
If you are going to be sailing by yourself, it is a must to wear a harness. It may as well be a pfd too. Why wear 2 pieces of equipment if you don't have to.
If the weather gets really rough, don a type 1 pfd and a harness.
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization
Raritan Bay
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
I wandered around all the vendors' tables at SailExpo in Atlantic City and tried on every inflatable pfd on display. I found the XM Yachting inflatables to be the most comfortable. They also seemed to be the best priced. They come in both manual and auto inflatable models with or without a harness.
If you are going to be sailing by yourself, it is a must to wear a harness. It may as well be a pfd too. Why wear 2 pieces of equipment if you don't have to.
If the weather gets really rough, don a type 1 pfd and a harness.
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization
Raritan Bay
Jim Serra wrote: I'm planning on doing a lot of single-handing in coastal waters. I would like to find a comfortable (and economical) lifevest- preferably Type III. Any recommendations on brands or types would be appreciated.
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
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Mike Wainfeld
Re: Lifevest recommendation
I got the West Marine/Sospenders inflatable vest/harness. That plus the tether and jackline(nylon webbing with a carabiner at one end) cost about $200. The first time I went sailing this spring I thought, "this is ridiculous, who do you think you are-Giovanni Soldini in the Southern Ocean! This is just a Typhoon! You're reading too many sailing magazines." But the water still is only about 50 degrees, and the boat has no rails or lifelines and I do clamber around a lot. So I guess it does make some sense.
Mike
CDTyphoon "Regalo"
ripcord1@erols.com
Mike
CDTyphoon "Regalo"
ripcord1@erols.com
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John
Inflatables
One response to the advocates of inflatables that is not being adressed. First, I advocate Type I's and a harness if you are sailing alone when its rough or at night, period. In fair weather, if you don't get knocked unconcious by something like the boom, then a Type II and harness. As for inflatables what do you do when an inflatable gets punctured? I understand the comfort and mobility factor but I also understand the vulnerability of a inflatable. Why not wear a waist belt inflatable at all times and toss on a Type II just for a quick trip out of the cockpit? If you do go over you will be connected by a harness and you would have two vests just in case. The Type I is by far the best protection you can give yourself, every boat should have them.Jim Serra wrote: I'm planning on doing a lot of single-handing in coastal waters. I would like to find a comfortable (and economical) lifevest- preferably Type III. Any recommendations on brands or types would be appreciated.
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Brent
Re: Lifevest recommendation
Jim,
I have done a lot of hard core raceing and always where my inflatble. It is a west marine manual inflatable. it is extremly tough I am the fore deck person on our boat and have slid across the deck, been tossed every which way, hit by spinnaker poles and the inflatable still works and looks almost new. I check it for operation every few months and have found no problems. The only desion I had to make when I bought was to get the manual or auto. I chose the manual because as fore deck it is very very common for me to be chest high in water as bow pushes through a wave, I didn't want any accidental inflatiuons so I chose the manual. This does have draw backs though. The most concerning is if you are knocked out and then fall into the water, this is why I always tether when in bad seas.
Fair winds
Brent
Sailcovers@usa.net
I have done a lot of hard core raceing and always where my inflatble. It is a west marine manual inflatable. it is extremly tough I am the fore deck person on our boat and have slid across the deck, been tossed every which way, hit by spinnaker poles and the inflatable still works and looks almost new. I check it for operation every few months and have found no problems. The only desion I had to make when I bought was to get the manual or auto. I chose the manual because as fore deck it is very very common for me to be chest high in water as bow pushes through a wave, I didn't want any accidental inflatiuons so I chose the manual. This does have draw backs though. The most concerning is if you are knocked out and then fall into the water, this is why I always tether when in bad seas.
Fair winds
Brent
Sailcovers@usa.net