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06-19-2017, 05:52 PM
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#1
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Guru
City: Stuart FL
Vessel Name: Lucky Lucky
Vessel Model: Pacific Mariner 65
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,760
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Life Jackets
I'm in the market to replace 4 auto inflate life jackets. I always keep a jacket handy for everyone on the fly bridge. Since I was alone up top I had one auto inflate jacket on a seat. The next day when I went up top the jacket was inflated. And no, it did not get wet. Fast forward to yesterday. I went up top to find that another of the life jackets had inflated and actually lifted the seat it was stored under in the air!
I called Mustang Survival and they told me that when they reach 10 years old they should be replaced as the material degrades. Also said that high humidity could trigger the jacket to inflate if it is old and the bobbins had not been replaced. These are about 8-years old and the bobbins about 4-years old.
So, my question is, do I replace them with a high quality offshore jacket or with new auto inflate jackets? We cruise the ICW, make ocean passages and live aboard. What do you use?
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Howard
Lucky Lucky
Stuart, FL
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06-19-2017, 06:08 PM
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#2
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Guru
City: Boston Area
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,610
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Do you wear them all the time, or just put them on when things get ...interesting ? If you wear them all the time, I'd go with the inflatables, otherwise I'd get non inflatables.
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06-19-2017, 07:10 PM
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#3
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Guru
City: Stuart FL
Vessel Name: Lucky Lucky
Vessel Model: Pacific Mariner 65
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,760
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We only where them when things get dicey although I wear one whenever I'm on the dinghy alone.
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Howard
Lucky Lucky
Stuart, FL
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06-19-2017, 07:35 PM
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#4
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Guru
City: Jacksonville
Vessel Name: SONAS
Vessel Model: Grand Alaskan 53
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,235
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hmason
We only where them when things get dicey although I wear one whenever I'm on the dinghy alone.
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Dicey inshore or offshore?
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06-19-2017, 07:40 PM
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#5
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Guru
City: Stuart FL
Vessel Name: Lucky Lucky
Vessel Model: Pacific Mariner 65
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,760
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Quote:
Originally Posted by menzies
Dicey inshore or offshore?
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That's an interesting question. I would say mostly offshore and I include Delaware Bay in that. I hate that body of water.
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Howard
Lucky Lucky
Stuart, FL
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06-19-2017, 08:05 PM
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#6
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TF Site Team
City: Brisbane
Vessel Name: Insequent
Vessel Model: Ocean Alexander 50 Mk I
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,262
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Timely question as I have been thinking about this.
For Open Waters down here you need Type I or Type II, and I have 18 on board of which 11 are inflatable. But 6 are old kapok ones, and I'm thinking of replacing or supplementing those with several Type 1's. I keep 5 inflatable units stowed in the tender. I also have some 2 child jackets and some ski vests.
I seldom wear one, even on the tender if only a short trip.
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Brian
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06-19-2017, 08:51 PM
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#7
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Guru
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,288
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For off shore use when I teach CG boating classes I suggest type one jacket not inflatable. The only strong point of the inflatable is they are more comfortable and may be worn more. Inflatables are not as reliable and need maintenance. If you are not wearing it and grab it on the way in you will not be able to get it on in the water and that is why on boarding if not being worn the inflatable will not count as a PFD.
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06-19-2017, 09:52 PM
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#8
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Guru
City: Gig Harbor
Vessel Name: Kinship
Vessel Model: North Pacific 43
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 9,046
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hmason
We only where them when things get dicey although I wear one whenever I'm on the dinghy alone.
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Is that so you can have spectators when you drown?
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06-20-2017, 06:45 AM
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#9
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,149
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I believe there are inflatables now certified as type II and III. They have more buoyancy than even type I offshore jackets. With the type certification I guess they don't have to be worn to count.
I also have found them to be of no maintenance on a trawler if handled and stored well. Mine get hung up in their storage bags and look better than all my other jackets.
The old style with bobbins needed them replaced every once and awhile, if kept in low humidity, mine have lasted 5 years, probably time.
My jackets have the type V certification but are approved IIs as long as the integral harness isn't being used... I explained that to the last boarding team and they accepted my explanation.
Not sure all boarding teams will understand as there is still a lot of misinformation out there, especially in the field. Can't blame them as the whole approval of inflatables for recreational, commercial, harness or not, auto or manual, which manufacturer, etc has no clear cut, simple chart. Yes the label on the jacket should be clear....but mine has the "but" clause that while an approved V, as long as used IAW the owners manual, it is an approved type II. Confusing unless you have done the research I have.
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06-20-2017, 07:14 AM
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#10
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Guru
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,834
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I have both types on board. Mostly wear the inflatable which has a separate strobe and PLB. Have non inflatables for guests, keep USCG happy, and to have a backup in case I had an issue with the inflatable.
BTW, servicing the auto inflate is cheap in boating costs and should be done on a PM schedule, not when it fails.
Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
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06-20-2017, 07:52 AM
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#11
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,149
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Correct Ted, a couple minutes of PM per or every couple years is wise.
Sorry for glossing over a small price of ownership compared to their real value.
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06-20-2017, 09:26 AM
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#12
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Guru
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hmason
I always keep a jacket handy for everyone on the fly bridge.
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So, only for those on the fly bridge? Those elsewhere on the boat don't count?
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06-20-2017, 10:30 AM
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#13
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Veteran Member
City: Little River, SC
Vessel Name: Memory Lane (fiberglass)
Vessel Model: 1974 Pacemaker 40 Flush deck Motor Yacht
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 89
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I keep type 3 jackets (the kind the jet ski riders wear) they are comfortable, and I encourage quests to wear them when they go swimming for the first time. I also have 2 float coats for cold weather they are also type 3.
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06-20-2017, 12:45 PM
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#14
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Guru
City: Stuart FL
Vessel Name: Lucky Lucky
Vessel Model: Pacific Mariner 65
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,760
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Are there newer inflatables that do not have bobbins?
__________________
Howard
Lucky Lucky
Stuart, FL
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06-20-2017, 01:13 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
City: Bellingham, WA
Vessel Name: Excellent Adventure
Vessel Model: 1995 Jefferson Ker Shine 45
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 395
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The new inflatables require that the bobbin get replaced every three years. The inflator can go forever if it has not been damaged. The pfd should be inspected every year. The best way to do that is to orally inflate the pfd and let it sit for 24 hrs. If still inflated, then deflate and repack. If not, replace.
We have four inflatables on board and require pfds on anyone not below while docking, handling lines etc. Probably have 12 or more regular pfds in addition to the inflatables, and the inflatables are the 35lbs lift version (offshore).
The main advantage to inflatables is that people will wear them more often and longer than standard pfd's, thus they are more likely to have them on when things go wrong.
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06-20-2017, 03:30 PM
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#16
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,149
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Yes, bobbins are the older tech, hydrostatic inflators are relatively new.
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06-20-2017, 05:51 PM
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#17
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Guru
City: Boston
Vessel Name: Adelante
Vessel Model: IG 30
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,609
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I use the manually activated SOSPenders. When sailing, they're on during small craft warnings or when I go forward. I snap in to jack line when forward. On the trawler, I use them in the dinghy, or during entry/exit in inlet where conditions are sketchy. Two are adjusted for my wife and I and have crotch straps. I have extra's for guests.
I also have a west marine bag of 4 stored under a locker, a Lifesling, and a valise coastal liferaft. Seems like a boat sinks every week in NE area.
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06-20-2017, 07:52 PM
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#18
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Master and Commander
City: Vallejo CA
Vessel Name: Carquinez Coot
Vessel Model: penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,559
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__________________
Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
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06-20-2017, 08:13 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
City: Washington
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 265
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We have four Mustang hydrostatic inflatables. Model 3183. Type 2 for recreational use. Everyone wears a PFD when they are out on deck when the boat is under way, in the dinghy, in the kayaks, etc.
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-- Rusty
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06-20-2017, 08:30 PM
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#20
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Guru
City: st pete
Vessel Model: 430 Mainship
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eyschulman
For off shore use when I teach CG boating classes I suggest type one jacket not inflatable. The only strong point of the inflatable is they are more comfortable and may be worn more. Inflatables are not as reliable and need maintenance. If you are not wearing it and grab it on the way in you will not be able to get it on in the water and that is why on boarding if not being worn the inflatable will not count as a PFD.
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Eyschulman,
Yes, one can put on a non inflatable life jacket in the water. I've done it many times, but one has to learn how to "roll" into it.
I'm not a huge fan of wearing life jackets on a boat. Most of them are hot and uncomfortable. But will don one if conditions require it, and I require them outside for anyone under 18 or can't swim or some lady who is really good looking if they are on my boat.
I have inflatables and non inflatables, both have their goods and bads. But if I had to wear one all the time, I'd give up boating. Risk vs. benefit and I'll live with it.
But I do occasionally train for the unexpected and it can be an eye opener.
__________________
Seevee
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