John B 119 Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Offshore ,Inflatable ,spray hood, light, harness point, place to put something like a plb/ais transponder.Crotch strap of course. Probably auto nowadays, they've improved I believe. What brands and models should we look at? Any feedback welcome. A few years ago the spinlock was the ducks nuts ... what now? Link to post Share on other sites
Jon 413 Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Look at service dates as they need to be serviced in accordance with the manufacturers specs Most are annually some are biannually and at least one brand are user serviceable At $50 to $60 per jacket it can add up Link to post Share on other sites
rigger 47 Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Hi John, My work life jacket is a Secumar Bolero 275N - it is the replacement for my old one that was retired after 10years of use - several different people had use of it - it was a Secumar 275N as well. Comfortable enough. One that I have heard good things about is the sMRT 275N http://www.mrtsos.com/products/life-jackets/smrt-275n-solas-pfd Link to post Share on other sites
Freedom GBE 27 Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP_qJKQfO3E I take my lifejacket home after I use it, then wash it and check it properly. Why would I trust someone else to check it and waste good money? I tuck the cord inside the velcro as I dont want to accidently deploy which would end very bad. Link to post Share on other sites
John B 119 Posted February 20, 2017 Author Share Posted February 20, 2017 Good point Jon. One I looked at does without that nuisance little plastic clip for example. Link to post Share on other sites
John B 119 Posted February 20, 2017 Author Share Posted February 20, 2017 Thanks rigger,knots and freedom. I'll look at those but I suspect our budget and want it now factor might steer us at more commonly available products.Baltic have some superceded models for example.Baltic Race? Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,347 Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Personally I look for the self service type. I add the spray hood etc - from my old jacket. I'm currently using a bursco one - pretty comfortable, but hard to fit the xtras inside the case... Link to post Share on other sites
Jon 413 Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Depends on your boat type also If your a sports or multi racer then I'd go super comfortable highend If your cruising then I'd look at lifetime cost, we practically never wear ours (I sailed all the way back from Europe without putting one on) but some boats I wouldn't step foot on without wearing one I'm guessing most will fall somewhere in between Link to post Share on other sites
Battleship 100 Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Our local guys serviced ours for no charge, the spinlock ones are nice but honestly I find my hutchwilco just as if not more comfortable. Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,818 Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Everyone is talking about comfort when not in use, what about comfort when in use. Link to post Share on other sites
Battleship 100 Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 In my opinion all inflatable lifejackets are aweful once inflated no comparison to a good non inflatable. But the comfort whilst not in use makes it more likely to be put on in the first place. Link to post Share on other sites
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