The PFDs I have for the Admiral and myself are Sospenders auto inflate offshore vests with a built in harness. Always worn when single handed at night or when in heavy weather, sometimes worn when single handing in daylight depending on the weather.
For guests I have a couple of coastal auto inflate and a couple of manual inflate PFDs, none with harness. I figure I'll be on the boat to get back to them and my main concern is keeping them afloat. I'm pretty sure the regular crew (my 50 pound Walker Hound, Chance) would take a while to get the boat back to me if I fell over (that is, provided that my head could even be seen from more than 50 yards away). So I usually have a tether attached when wearing the PFD. The Spinlock tether is the best I've yet seen - and I have 6 or 8 tethers from 3 or 4 manufacturers on the boat. I guess you need to ask yourself if you ever want to think "Boy the boat sure looks pretty." As you watch the autopilot sail it towards the horizon and you tread water. As far as maintenance goes, I replace the bobbins in the auto inflation mechanism every couple of years, though I think annual replacement is recommended. Last batch I bought cost a buck or two each, and I keep a small stash double sealed in plastic bags to keep out the humidity. I also have a rearming kit (with the CO2 cartridge and a bobbin) or an appropriate CO2 cartridge for each type of PFD on board. Maintenance is no biggy. Rick Brass Washington, NC -----Original Message----- From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of M Bod Sent: Saturday, December 28, 2013 12:06 AM To: C&C list Subject: Stus-List PFD/life vest Apparently I've got a few $ coming for Xmas gift to address (a small bit of) my new boat needs. I thought it would be prudent to get a couple of comfortable inflatable life vests. Given my sailing over the last 2 yrs has all been in the Halifax harbor and never in inclement weather, I've never felt a need to wear a vest. I'm hoping to stretch a little further with the new boat, and therefore the thinking that a life vest might be useful. Given I've never worn one I'm a complete newb! Any suggestions? Should I bump up to a harness version just to have it if needed? I don't do a lot of solo sailing - but I do a lot of sailing with 4 kids on the boat who would be extremely hard pressed to come back for me if I was bobbing in the water off the stern! What about automatic vs manual? Preferred brand? I'm guessing you get what you pay for, and I realize that an uncomfortable vest is unlikely to get worn, and therefore be worthless, but I'm also not expecting to head out into heavy conditions. I could just go with my current PFD if things turn a bit hairy. But seems my mom likes the idea of keeping my head above water! So what do you pick? between a $100 Mustang vest, a $130 PLASTIMO inflatable vest/harness or a $2-400 Mustang/Spinlock vest/harness. Not planning to spend $400 - more the $100-150 range. Last - are the auto inflators easily maintained? Or am I buying $35-65 kits every yr to keep vest functional? Thanks in advance for the advice. Mark _______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com CnC-List@cnc-list.com _______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com CnC-List@cnc-list.com
