Luigi Vercotti 7 Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 I'm looking to buy a PFD and harness for coastal use and maybe further afield down the track. I'm not sure whether to go with integrated or separate harness. Anyone out there with opinions either way? I have searched for this, but couldn't find what I wanted, but if it has been covered already, please post a link. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigal.nz 59 Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Have a search on the term spinlock - there was a thread a month ago. I am very happy with my spinlock Vito. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlastairW 15 Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 There are enough different models of integrated lifejackets/harnesses about to give a good choice. I find that having an integrated unit means I have all bases covered when it's needed. And the L/J's are so compact now you don't even notice it is there. For me, it's the only way to go. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Luigi Vercotti 7 Posted March 27, 2019 Author Share Posted March 27, 2019 Thanks for your prompt replies. Looks like integrated is the way to go. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sail Rock 28 Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Love my Spinlock PFD with built in harness, spray hood, pylon light, emergency tether cutter, immersion activated inflator, whistle (but no bells!) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeteG 13 Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 We have two each and auto inflate option (both with harness rings as is standard these days). We tend to wear our lighter Hutchwilco PFD's during the day and in for pottering about, and then wear our bulker full noise Crewsaver ones at night -especially on passage (they have a bit more gear inside them). We are usually two-handed and on solo watch -and offshore a bit. So get the best you can afford and wear it. Remember it is the tether that is most important. Just a tip - add some extra glow in the dark tape onto the front. Makes it much easier to find your PFD in a dark cabin! And have spare inflation kits onboard for the time it self inflates (it will one day!) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Luigi Vercotti 7 Posted March 28, 2019 Author Share Posted March 28, 2019 Thank you for all your advice. I only really asked the question in case integration led had to compromises, but it appears not to be the case. Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Freedom GBE 27 Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Integrated and I would buy a short lanyard no longer than your arm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Addem 94 Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Definitely integrated Definitely with crotch strap Definitely get one that you can service yourself Definitely have spare canisters on board. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
idlerboat 116 Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 So good to see the above opinions. Clip on.... You would not believe how hard it is to see a person in the water in a swell at night... A life jacket is essential... But... You would not believe how hard it is to see a person in the water in a swell at night... A search area gets larger at a frightening rate by time... You would not believe how hard it is to see a person in the water in a swell at night... The average head is 300 mm x 200 mm...That is what a FLIR camera will pick up. That is your only hope by aircraft or high end rescue vessel. The life jacket with SOLAS tape will show for several kilometers ...as long as the light source and the searcher look at the same time.... Your odds are now decreasing Badly... Come daytime...your SOLAS tape is not going to help... Its now down to FLIR and hoping that in a brief flash across a huge expanse you will be spotted by human eyes on a run... Its called mowing the grass in search terms. Its the most efficient and practical way to do it. You search in a line...get to the end...turn 180 deg...move across many metres and go again... ONLY ONCE ! If you miss the first time ..tough. The laws of survival in the water state that in our latitudes you have very little time...SO if we miss you ... Search rules are hard but true...we must keep moving as quick as possible just in case. We will only be back on a second full run. As your body temperature reduces so does the difference that our FLIR cameras see... If you are the same temp as the water ...we cant see you ...and you are dead. CLIP ON... (Disclosure, I am a skipper in a marine rescue organisation a live aboard sailor, a marine repair contractor, and going out and seeing dead people really really sucks.. it is a reality kick that I hope comes across in what I am saying) 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,568 Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 I've never understood the current fixation on lifejackets. Wear a harness and clip on LJs are secondary to that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigal.nz 59 Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 I've never understood the current fixation on lifejackets. Wear a harness and clip on LJs are secondary to that. Because of you end up over the side, tethered on, but need to cut free, then you'll need the life jacket. I would say both are equally important. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,568 Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 Apart from being stuck under a flipped multi why else would you cut your tether? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sail Rock 28 Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 Because if you’re being dragged along the side of the boat doing anything more than 2 knots you have about 2 minutes before becoming exhausted and succumbing to secondary drowning (depending on what awkward position you find yourself in). If sailing solo, short handed or other crew off watch then such a scenario is feasible. Having a tether cutter gives you an option, assuming you can reach and use it before you drown. So now you’ve cut yourself free and watching your boat sail over the horizon, then what? Inflate the Lifejacket, if it hasn’t already done so, and set off the PLB that’s attached to it (assuming you’re still conscious). Now you’ve improved the chances of S&R finding you - dead or alive. If I am sounding like one of those health and safety w**nkers, that’s because i am! ???? (Safety in design, risk management, etc.). Cheers! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,211 Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 Possible yes. But best practice is to use a tether that is too short to reach the water. And clip on! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,568 Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 I have to admit I don't think much of that option SR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mcp 32 Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 Possible yes. But best practice is to use a tether that is too short to reach the water. And clip on! Has anyone considered attaching your harness to a spare halyard? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,211 Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 Been mentioned in forums I’ve seen before. Have you considered how much the masthead moves in a big sea? Plus, on the LEE side you can be dragged easily a long way from the boat - the masthead is not always vertical. Short tethers, on the windward side jack stay seems best to me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mcp 32 Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 Have you considered how much the masthead moves in a big sea? Plus, on the LEE side you can be dragged easily a long way from the boat - the masthead is not always vertical. Short tethers, on the windward side jack stay seems best to me. I see, seem like it a daft idea then. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigal.nz 59 Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 Possible yes. But best practice is to use a tether that is too short to reach the water. And clip on! On the leeward side when heeled over, such a tether might be so short you cant even stand up straight. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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