I'm planning on upgrading from my basic Burke PFD to something more serious that is suitable for my forays into Bass Strait, and would appreciate hearing what about others have bought and their experience of them.
I'm looking at the Spinlock and Crewsaver higher end models, and consider the essentials to include Hammar harness, auto-inflation, spray hood, PLB and light mountings., and easy adjustment for when I put on/take off a jacket.
Over to you.......
Hi Wongaga
Do any of the Stormy range of Jackets, Vests or yokes appeal to you in either their recreational www.stormylifejackets.com.au/product-category/recreational/sailing/ or commercial range www.stormylifejackets.com.au/product-category/commercial/
Stormy are a Tasmanian company who have a shop in Hobart and and seem to be able to customize as required if a standard item doesn't suit you
They have a pretty good following down here but i am not sure how things are on the mainland
Regards Don
what ever you choose , make sure you always have crotch strap fitted . To use a LJ without one is useless
Take note of any latches buckles etc.
I couldnt fasten my harness/life jacket one night with cold numb hands so make sure its a simple opperation.
I have one like this for each crew member but not the same brand:
Mine didn't have water activated lights so i got one for each vest. The clips a simple push in untill they click home, then pull tight for a firm fit. This design helps a bit to retain body heat, and keep you on your back with head out of the water. We have pfd's for when working on deck or use in the tender but for the life of me I wouldn't call most pfd's a life jacket!
Here's a link i found for this type:https://kidssafetyproducts.com/jobe-life-vest-kid-review/
For offshore sailing Spinlock of Crewsaver are really the only two decent options in Oz.
I find the Stormy yokes pull down on your neck after a long time.
My preference is the Spinlock but it's much or a muchness
I had two PFD's by RFD and i set one off accidently while cleaning a bucket of squid and the thing near choked me! ....Serious! It was so tight around my neck especially on the side that i could feel the blood flow to my head being severely restricted. I was getting light headed and dizzy by the time i got the bloody thing off and that wasn't an easy feat either!
Hi Wongaga,
I have the Crewsaver Ergo 190, auto as below, which is now about 2 Christmases old.
The buckles are really good to use, don't bite you, and the jacket itself can be made snug fitting and very comfortable to wear, to the point where the inbuilt crotch harness doesn't get used often (yeah I know) . I also have a stormy yoke that is still in service, with built in harness, but it's feels heavy, and as ergonomic as a combi and so has spent most of it's life in the cupboard. Previous jacket to that was a Stormy Vest, my second favourite, but I wouldn't do full offshore with it, not compared to the Crewsaver.
I like the soft harness connection, and plan to take it for a swim this summer before giving it a rearm and service.
My only criticism would be some of the mesh panels are starting to rub wear, but that's only because its been used.
When its too stuffed, I'd by another tomorrow.
www.facebook.com/100007611664240/posts/2074211509509218/
Heres a video of some thoughts on pfd's
Select to expand quoteSandS said..
what ever you choose , make sure you always have crotch strap fitted . To use a LJ without one is useless
Yep, good one. I am 100% aware of that and should have included it in my list.
The other issue I rate highly is proper attachment points for PLB and lights (if not already built in).
PLB's wont work unless they are held with the antenna vertical and clear of the water. I won't manage that for very long, as I tire and my body temperature drops in cold water. So it's essential that the PFD attachment point does it, and holds the light so that it is visible, and not right in front of my face.
Hi Woganga,
Don't forget weight is an aspect too when you're buying. You get 100,150,190 and 275 levels for different weight. A good mate that weighs in the ahem..90's was floating with his chin in the water with a 150. Me (72kgs) wearing the same 150 meant I was bobbing around like a cork!
I love the spray hoods on the Spinlocks and Crewsavers (and some others) that cover your face, warm and you can breathe in spume and spray.
Crewsaver. They have good recommendations on their website as to which will best suit your needs. I can't recommend enough to fit it, inflate it and then go in the water (with your foul weather gear on is best) to test how best to adjust (they are often fitted too tight and when inflated are too uncomfortable)
I'm still pondering, but the Crewsaver Ergofit 190N does look good. One issue that was raised by a mate is possible conflict between spray hood and PLB antenna, if it is fixed to the bladder. Anyone had to deal with this? I have posted on Cruiser's Forum about PLB mounting but haven't had too many sensible replies.
Ideally I could float around immobile or unconscious (or of course dead!) with the PLB nicely attached with its antenna out pointing at the sky and updating the RCC, while the strobe flashed away and the hood kept me from ingesting water.
One thing that surprises and disappoints me is the abysmal support from the dealers. With Stormy and the Crewsaver distributor, I found it hard to get past the women who answered the phone. No problem with them being women, but they could not answer many of my questions and sounded like they were reading from the blurb.
And forget Adventure Safety regarding the Spinlocks - you have to make an appointment to see them, and as of today after three unresponded phone requests they are sitting a firm last.
Is it too much to expect proper support for a not-inexpensive piece of life-saving gear? Might as well buy it through eBay!
Cheers, Graeme
Select to expand quotewongaga said..
I'm still pondering, but the Crewsaver Ergofit 190N does look good. One issue that was raised by a mate is possible conflict between spray hood and PLB antenna, if it is fixed to the bladder. Anyone had to deal with this? I have posted on Cruiser's Forum about PLB mounting but haven't had too many sensible replies.
Ideally I could float around immobile or unconscious (or of course dead!) with the PLB nicely attached with its antenna out pointing at the sky and updating the RCC, while the strobe flashed away and the hood kept me from ingesting water.
One thing that surprises and disappoints me is the abysmal support from the dealers. With Stormy and the Crewsaver distributor, I found it hard to get past the women who answered the phone. No problem with them being women, but they could not answer many of my questions and sounded like they were reading from the blurb.
And forget Adventure Safety regarding the Spinlocks - you have to make an appointment to see them, and as of today after three unresponded phone requests they are sitting a firm last.
Is it too much to expect proper support for a not-inexpensive piece of life-saving gear? Might as well buy it through eBay!
Cheers, Graeme
Hi Graeme
Did you call stormy in Hobart or one of their resellers
Regards Don
Thumbs up for the spinlock. Had these with auto inflate and light plus I added the auto AIS transmitters. Made it easier to relax and sleep below when I knew the crew on deck had these on when doing ocean passages. Also had double lanyards (one short, one long).
