Terry B 71 Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Just came across this video - the guy makes some sense. Caveats: there are better inflatables than the 1 he demonstrates. And inflatables are okay in sheltered waters where your crew can pick you up? But maybe not if you're sailing solo - sheltered or not? And yes, don't fall off the boat in the freeking first place!! HARNESS is your best friend (and not one that runs down by the stanchions - getting hung up over the rails doesn't sound like fun. Interested in your thoughts as I'm not experienced in this area. I wear and inflatable. It's an interesting discussion............ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,235 Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Yep, get one that fits properly. Everything is a compromise. The warmth can be an issue, but better a jacket that you are more likely to wear (on deck!) than one you are not. The one he likes would not pass cat 1 - its a buoyancy vest. For an offshore lifejacket, get one that fits properly, and has a spray hood, as well as the standard Knife, Whistle, light, and rescue device - AIS SART or PLB,,, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,586 Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 I agree with him. Big fan of the float coats that are common in the Pacific NW, can't remember the brand. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marinheiro 352 Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 http://www.mustangsurvival.com/recreational/flotation-clothing?country=25 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,235 Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Suitable in cold water/weather. With the inflatable, can be worn with minimal clothing in the tropics, then over your wet weather gear when cold. Versatility is good! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
too_tall 15 Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 And yes, don't fall off the boat in the freeking first place!! HARNESS is your best friend (and not one that runs down by the stanchions - getting hung up over the rails doesn't sound like fun. On our first offshore voyage we hired a skipper ( well experienced, recommended by yachting NZ ) As the boat owners we gave him responsibility and followed his instructions. We had an agreement that no one went up on deck without calling another up to the cockpit, 24 hours a day. Also that going up on deck meant a harness, inflatable lifejacket which had a strobe, PLB, handheld VHF and whistle etc attached. The "professional" refused to heed any of these "rules", never once put on a harness, never called for a watcher or assistant. Took about 30 seconds to kit up and the gear whilst a little less comfortable than not wearing it would probably be quite comforting if you fell overboard, specially at night. Pretty sad that a YNZ recommended skipper takes such little care regarding safety. I am a big proponent of the handheld VHF - if your in the water, its dark, and the crew are searching for you, you have a far better chance of seeing the Tricolour than they do of seeing you in the water. I realize range is very limited from water level, but the VHF antenna on the mast is a good way above sea level in most conditions and I have had a crew member talk us back on top of him very easily. We would have had a struggle to find him without that VHF. ( He had a strobe which we very occasionaly could catch a glimps of and a PLB which could have been used had we not been able to find him ). Scared everyone though. Anyway, sorry for getting so far off topic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,235 Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Absolutely agree TT! A VHF, or an AIS SART (I've even seen one now that is both - working on being able to supply that) makes a hell of a lot of sense to me. The best chance of rescue is the boat you came from in many situations - especially offshore. Your skipper was NBG. No-one likes do-as-I say not do-as-I-do. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,586 Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 No two situations are the same, no two boats the same, and no two passages the same. What will work in one may be certain death in another. You need to assess the probability of something happening, the consequences of that, and what kit would be most appropriate in consideration of your boat, crew and the type of sailing you are doing. One size doesn't fit all. Unfortunately sailors (particularly new ones) tend to be a bit sheep like and follow a prescription rather than making an intelligent assessment. A prime example is IT's jacklines. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ex TL systems 63 Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 I have a Mustang survival / flotation suit. Bit warm for the tropics but was pretty happy to find it for $12 at a local garage sale, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John B 106 Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 As soon as you do your advanced sea survival course and jump in the pool you find out how useless inflatables are without crotch straps. And, as soon as you wear one with crotch straps , you'll find out how many things you can get hooked up on on deck. Which then gets you in this cycle of the safety device hauling you up short, and restricting your freedom, potentially even causing an accident. I ended up wearing the straps on the basis of clipping them up properly when you're actually in the water. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,235 Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 No two situations are the same, no two boats the same, and no two passages the same. What will work in one may be certain death in another. You need to assess the probability of something happening, the consequences of that, and what kit would be most appropriate in consideration of your boat, crew and the type of sailing you are doing. One size doesn't fit all. Unfortunately sailors (particularly new ones) tend to be a bit sheep like and follow a prescription rather than making an intelligent assessment. A prime example is IT's jacklines. Agreed, but what's the matter with my Jackstays?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,586 Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Nothing, but the way you attach is different from the norm, yet your reasoning makes sense. The "normal " way - down the lifelines, may work for a crewed boat, not so clever for a single hander. No two situations are the same. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,586 Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 I don't like the inflatables because once inflated you are practically helpless. My system I can swim. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marinheiro 352 Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 For me the most important thing is not to go overboard in the first place. In an offshore shorthanded situation the chances of a. being found and b. being recovered are not good. Remember super experienced guys like Rob James and Eric Tabarly, even when crew found them they could not get them onto the boat. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,235 Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 True. BP I did not think there was much unusual about my jack stays! They are webbing, connected to a strong point on the deck within reach from the cockpit - even when already clipped in to one of the cockpit harness points. They run continuously to the foredeck, right to the bow. The idea is that I ALLWAYS go fwd on the windward side, and can do the whole length of the deck without re-clipping. I can reach the mast etc with the tether length I have. I cannot reach the water - when clipped to the weather side jack stay, which I would be. I very rarely have to change attachment points while on deck. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lift off 0 Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 These are a good option, combining inherent buoyancy and the option to manually inflate, they have handy little personal flare pockets build in. Probably over kill for inshore sailing, .http://collinsnets.co.uk/product/inshore-380n-rescue-lifejacket Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,586 Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 Good spotting LO, I like that one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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