OK while we are making reports on equipment how about some reports on world class inflatable vest. I think I would wear one more better if I didn't have all that bulk around in the way all the time. I had a PFD on when I turtled Pearl but I didn't have it buckled and they are a little hard to buckle after you are in the water,If you know what I mean. I have watched some of you sail Keith and Angie do pretty good about having there vest on but some of the rest of you don't do much better than me. I beleave a confortable vest (light weight non binding inflatable would be worn more by most folks) :? Bud.
I have no "magic" formula for finding life vests, but I do know this. The one time I need to use it, it'd better damned well work. Soooo, I annoy salespeople for as long as I need to, in as many stores as I need to visit, until I find a PDF that 1) will not pull over my head with my arms up, 2) will float me face-up automatically (Type I or Type II, I believe. Type III is mainly for sheltered water, and is not designed to keep your face out of the water), 3) has a high enough flotation rating to float two average people (while rescuing
some else, I don't want to sink), and 4) is durable and highly visible, but not pink :wink: Reflective tape here is a plus.
Comfort is a later consideration, but still important, if you are like me, and wear it always. I've never really been that "cool", and, being a father of teens, probably will never be "cool". So why start now?
Money can be a consideration, if the first four items are followed first. Remember that this item may be the only thing that saves your life one day. Skimp on the paint money first. I got a bright red vest-type PFD that fits the above rules for $25.00 off-season. Sitting next to it was a really cool-looking one that was $70.00 and didn't fit the bill. It was an adult XL, with a 120-150 lb flotation rating. Most XL guys I know weigh a little more than that....
I'm no expert, so check out the coast guard's recommendations. Like they say, the best PFD is the one you wear.
http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/fedreqs/equ_pfd.htm
I bought my wife and myself each a self inflating automatic sospenders built for West Marine. These also have the harness for tethering yourself onboard with jacklinges.
We bought these for use on our Cal 28.
IIRC they were around $125.00 each.
The good and the bad is that they are so comfortable you forget you have them on. The good is that you wear them. The bad is that you do need to remember to take them off. This was a problem when I was loading the weekender back onto the trailer once and I dropped a strap into the water and then reached down to pick it upo forgettting I had the inflatable on.
The automatic inflator works really well!
SO I now trust it to work as needed, and I have bought a new co2 cartridge and a new auto arming bobbin.
The arming bobbins do need replacement every other year. Every year if used a lot ie: commercially.
IIRC a complete rearming with CO2 and arming bobbin was about $35.00. Just the bobbin is about $10.00.
Hey Pop, hang tight. I have been shopping for one for you. It is a Stearns offshore with the harness built in, self or auto inflate. Still looking towards the Round Delmarva and hoping you will come with me. 8)
The bobbin is a little pill inside of a plastic housing that dissolves and causes the cartridge to fire, I always have an extra bobbin or two on board and an extra cartridge stored inside a pocket on the vest. These are pricey but hard to beat because they are so comfortable and non bulky.
My buddy has a pair of
these
http://www.patagonia.com/za/PDC?OPTION=P...mo_cat_id=
he bought for kayaking. He let me wear one when we were out sailing, and it was very comfy. They zip on the side, so they fit tight without being restrictive, and they have a layer of neoprene that makes them really warm. I'd buy one myself if my garage wasn't already full of perfectly good ordinary life jackets.
Hi Bud,
I bought one about a year ago and I love it. It's comfprtable to wear and the best thing is I wear it! It may have something to do with paying over $100 for it. I mainly bought it so I would wear it whenever I am on the water. Using a normal vest is uncomfortable and I knew I wasn't likely to put it on. I have a mustang that I got through the Coast Guard Auxillary website. It has the harness rings on it for offshore sailing and heavy duty straps. Do a search online and find yourself a good deal. I saw some that were a bib type that were cheap, you don't want that kind, they are just as uncomfortable as a vest, look for the suspender type. I bought a manual model because I didn't want it to go off if I got too wet.
Keith
Sooo, somebody organize all this great info and put it in a Gaff rig article er somethin'
Excellent idea, Brit. I'm a bit confused about the Gaff Rig. Is it still with us? I haven't seen any posts by Barnacle Jim, either.
Jim is still around, he's just super busy right now. He has a day job you know and being an english professor keeps him hopping. He'll be back soon and have more of those great posts he's famous for.
Quote:Excellent idea, Brit. I'm a bit confused about the Gaff Rig. Is it still with us? I haven't seen any posts by Barnacle Jim, either.
Bill,
If you enter the site at
http://byyb.org - the current issue of Gaff Rig is on the top left and all the back issues are linked on the Gaff Rig Issues block below the BYYB Menu.
I would really appreciate it if everyone entered through
http://byyb.org - we have a lot of features back up and a few new ones and that is how you'll get to them. Also, Barnicle Jim and Bill Olney are working in the backgroun on a completely redesigned site with a much more professional look that you can preview here:
http://byyb.org/new/index3.html
Once they are ready, it will become the home page for byyb.org.
If you enter the site through byyb.org, you will see the new features (and returned availability of old ones) as soon as they are placed on line.