Choosing a lifejacket

[Hightower]

Due to it being a considerably wetter ride than the RIB I'm wanting to purchase a foam style lifejackets for the SIB. Obviously I want the same protection as my inflatable ones give me 175N but can't seem to find these foam ones with the same degree of protection/bouyancy. largest I could find was a 90kg+. Is it that foam jackets are treated more a bouancy aids than proper lifejackets?

What's the story?

PS, I'm a rather trim 120kg's

[SPR]

Baltic - hybrid / rib jacket is what you want, but not cheap...

s.

[MustRib]

That Baltic Jacket is over 300 squid.
I would go for a Hammar 190 or 275 Lifejacket - try the crewsaver ones.
bit less bulky than a 100 newton foam jacket!

[Max...]

The foam adult LJ's are huge...I use a buoyancy aid on the SIB given that I only use it on rivers or on the sea in very fair weather, flat seas and very close to shore.

[John Kennett]

I normally use a kayaking buoyancy aid in the SIB. I'm happy with that and for me the bulk of a foam lifejacket would outweigh any potential benefit.

[Polwart]

Andy,

Whilst not technically a SIB my boat is small enough to give me the same dilema from time to time. So depending on the weather, conditions and what I am doing I chop and change between:

- dinghy sailing buoyancy aid
- flotation suit (with or without auto life jacket)
- auto life jacket

The dinghy sailing aid is getting a bit long in the tooth now and I will probably replace it with a sea kayak one (pockets being the main benefit for me). I've looked around and there are no "perfect" SIB life jackets at sensible prices (indeed even the really expensive one mentioned above is pretty bulky and a bit "serious" for playing around off a beach).

Some of the swiftwater rescue bouyancy aids seem to have lots of pockets / pouches which I think would be quite useful in a SIB (with nowhere to keep things) but they are little bit "lifeboat wannabe" in styling, and whilst much cheaper than the Baltic rib, are still not cheap.

[Hightower]

Thanks guys some really handy info there. I am quite a good swimmer and the SIB will only be used mainly in Harbours, estuaries etc so I guess I'll be looking at a bouyancy aid then.

50N or larger?

[Max...]

50N for me, I use one of these below - fantastic value, attractive styling in black, fits well with good freedom of movement. Good waistbelt too for clipping the VHF and kill cord to.

Helly Hansen Rider Buoyancy Aid

[Stippolyte]

A few years ago i got 2 ADEC hammar jackets heavily discounted from the Boat Show, as it's on this week are there any deals available on jackets or vests?

[m chappelow]

Not giving a toss about fashion or what i look like i use the old style Crewsaver foam/air ,in its foam mode it is classed as a bouyancy aid but when inflated by mouth it then is classed as a lifejacket ,

i have messed about in the water with it and it will in its foam only mode it will still turn me over if face down After a few seconds , any waves or when inflated then it within seconds


i also have a swiftwater stlye foam jacket with lots of pockets/clips ect ,though as it has foam at the back and no coller it will not turn me if face down and knocked out .

one thing about foam unlike compact gas lifejackets they are less prone to damage /wear and tear and having no firing mechanism they will work if not serviced or have a hole in them ,and gives a bit of protection from bumps or hard objects .