Life Jackets

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

I’m looking into replacing a few lifevests myself, how does the one you’ve chosen keep from lifting up without the crotch straps? Does the belt replace this function?

If it does, There may be at least two of these in our future.

It has double crotch straps, which is much better than a single once which jams right up your crack.


This is one thing NOT to buy online, in my opinion. You should go to a chandlery you like, and touch and feel them, and try them on.


I'm happy with this choice, but you should also check out the highly rated Crewsaver ones, plus the new one with the back tether attachment, which could be a great leap forward. Also Spinlock have a newer model worth consideration, with Hammar activator.


The comfort of this one, however, is outstanding, which means maybe I'll really be able to make myself wear it.

[Kenomac]

I'm sold, we'll start looking for a pair of them and I think the two regular guys we have onboard will be looking for one too.

Thanks much for the info and suggestions Dockhead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyEZBuqMJjQ

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

It has double crotch straps, which is much better than a single once which jams right up your crack.

Are they the light version? Didn't realise the light version had crotch straps.

[weavis]

I had a single crotch strap.

Some how it slips into the middle and "divides and conquers"

Double is the way to go..

[Mike OReilly]

Yes, thanks for the DH. Our old Mustangs have served us well, but these look leaps-and-bounds better.

[Kenomac]

The question is: What color to get? Black seems the most practical but will get hot if worn out in the sun. White will be much cooler, but will show dirt.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Are they the light version? Didn't realise the light version had crotch straps.

No, it's not the Light version. It's the normal Deckvest 5D.


And again, I'm not saying it's better than a number of other variants -- go to a chandlery and check them all out. I thought the Crewsaver was really interesting.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

The question is: What color to get? Black seems the most practical but will get hot if worn out in the sun. White will be much cooler, but will show dirt.

Ya, I had no choice. They only had blue.


Will look sweet (not!! ) with my red foul weather jacket.


Offshore sailing is not a fashion show, so I don't really give a ********.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Ya, I had no choice. They only had blue.


Will look sweet (not!! ) with my red foul weather jacket.


Offshore sailing is not a fashion show, so I don't really give a ********.

I'm thinking in terms of what will be the most comfortable to be worn in warm weather. Black might get hot, white will show dirt.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

I'm thinking in terms of what will be the most comfortable to be worn in warm weather. Black might get hot, white will show dirt.

In hot weather, white is natural. If you care about the dirt, just wash it I surely wouldn't

[AndyEss]

Originally Posted by wolfgal

thank you for your advice

weight: i once took a shower with them on (seemed like a good way to rinse them) and was surprised as to how incredibly heavy i became. in another, newer pair (that i borrowed), i did a safety-at-sea course and climbed into a life raft with inflated vest. i did well, especially as compared to heavy folk, but i noticed how much of my energy was wasted because of the added weight and bulk.
beyond this, once out of the pool the group stood a few minutes, and most of the suits released a huge amount of water. this way of taking on water (and adding extra weight) doesn't seem right... especially when considering MOB

in the end, it almost seems as though staying dry is not as important as staying warm and agile and buoyant. i've often wondered: can we be wet yet stay warm in cold-n-wet conditions? diving suits seem to do this... i used to night dive in caverns without feeling the cold (granted, in the red sea) and swim in normandy with a dive suit that is a size large. amazingly warm and relatively easy to get into...
buoyancy and no added weight (especially water weight, for when one falls in).

The weight of water you feel in soaked clothes when you aren't in the water is because the specific gravity of water is much, much higher than the specific gravity of air ( the fluid you are surrounded by). The water that floods your clothes in water has no effect on bouyancy - it is exactly as dense as the fluid you are floating in ( specific gravity is exactly equal).

The wet clothes of course have an effect when you are trying to climb out of the water, or rescuers are trying to lift you out.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

In hot weather, white is natural. If you care about the dirt, just wash it I surely wouldn't

I think I’ll get white. It will turn grey all on its own, just like my teak deck .

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by AndyEss

The weight of water you feel in soaked clothes when you aren't in the water is because the specific gravity of water is much, much higher than the specific gravity of air ( the fluid you are surrounded by). The water that floods your clothes in water has no effect on bouyancy - it is exactly as dense as the fluid you are floating in ( specific gravity is exactly equal).

The wet clothes of course have an effect when you are trying to climb out of the water, or rescuers are trying to lift you out.

An intelligent and useful comment, for which thanks.

[wolfgal]

Originally Posted by AndyEss

The weight of water you feel in soaked clothes when you aren't in the water is because the specific gravity of water is much, much higher than the specific gravity of air ( the fluid you are surrounded by). The water that floods your clothes in water has no effect on bouyancy - it is exactly as dense as the fluid you are floating in ( specific gravity is exactly equal).

The wet clothes of course have an effect when you are trying to climb out of the water, or rescuers are trying to lift you out.

Thank you Andy. this is informative.

so layering clothing keeps us warm in cold conditions, but the density of clothing changes when wet and becomes heavier, and each layer of clothing becomes added weight to the MOB?

i wonder how long it will be until someone comes up with foulies that are made out of a material that does not take on the density of water in the same way. i keep thinking of wetsuit material, but there is surely something out there... something lightweight and flexible

and perhaps the idea of the layering will evolve into that of sealed chambers or very small closed pockets of air sewn directly to the inside of the suit. i have the image of a bubble-wrap type of material...

would small pockets of air insulate in cold conditions and not take on water (nor its density) once submerged?

would small pockets of air like this be cool when the wind dies down and the sun comes out?

i wonder if foulies made this way could provide buoyancy and warmth to the MOB without adding weight...



thanks again!

wolfgal

[wolfgal]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

So I purchased a Spinlock Deckvest 5D 170N and an Ocean Safety MOB1.

Best of all is the tiny MOB1 beacon, which is like 1/8 of the volume of the old McMurdo dildo-style beacon which I have. I didn't expect this. It fits right onto the inflation tube and will be activated completely automatically (the old one is activated only manually, only after pulling a pin and twisting), and not only sends AIS, but makes a DSC call, setting off an alarm. Battery lasts 7 years

this jacket looks great!

did you get the one activated by tablet (when wet) or hydrostatic pressure (if submerged)?