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23 February 2014, 18:11
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#1
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Member
Country: UK - Scotland
Town: Stonehaven
Boat name: Sunday Best
Make: Tornado
Length: 5m +
Engine: Yammy 90
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 406
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Which Lifejacket?
Its coming up for my birthday, and i'm fancying a new lifejacket as my present from the mrs. just using cheapies at the moment, but thought it would be nice to have a decent one. around the £130 mark is fine. Any recommendations?
Also, auto or manual inflation? I am bad for jumping in to the water and forgetting I have it on, so for that reason alone i fancy a manual inflation one!
Si
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I always apply maNthematics to my purchases - tell her it cost a chunk less than it did, then tell her I got a chunk more than I really did for the one I sold... The new purchase seldom costs a penny...
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24 February 2014, 00:28
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#2
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Exmouth, Devon
Length: no boat
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 767
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Best to try some on with whatever gear you usually wear. It's surprising how one jacket can seem more comfortable than another.
Manual / auto is a personal preference and down to usage (eg out solo). I'd say unless you really expect to be in the water, go for auto. But learn how to deflate it in case you get trapped anywhere.
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24 February 2014, 07:51
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#3
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Member
Country: UK - N Ireland
Town: Rostrevor
Boat name: Ricochet
Make: Redbay
Length: 7m +
Engine: Twin F115 Yams
MMSI: 235083269
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 930
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Well worth a read 
http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/photo...ket%20test.pdf
Quote:
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Also, auto or manual inflation? I am bad for jumping in to the water and forgetting I have it on, so for that reason alone i fancy a manual inflation one!
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Auto - unless are you immune to cold shock or never going to be incapacitated
http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollection...ypothermia.pdf
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Maximum Preparation - Maximum Fun
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24 February 2014, 07:56
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#4
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Administrator
Country: UK - England
Town: Brighton
Length: 3m +
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 7,106
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+1 for auto, just don't jump in while you're wearing it. If you're planning to be in the water then a buoyancy aid is more appropriate.
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24 February 2014, 08:19
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#5
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Member
Country: UK - Scotland
Town: Central Belt of Scotland
Boat name: Puddleduck III
Make: Bombard
Length: 5m +
Engine: 50 HP
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,066
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SPRmarine / SPRtraining
RYA Training Courses & Safety Equipment Sales
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24 February 2014, 09:06
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#6
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RIBnet supporter
Country: UK - Isle of Man
Town: Peel, IOM
Length: no boat
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,511
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+1 for auto as well.
I have a lifejacket with 3 duffel-type toggles on it. These attach to loops I have on my sea jacket-hence when I put on the jacket the lifejacket is on too...................or maybe I am just lazy?
Anyway I looked and looked at SBS and could not find a new one, also searched the web-no joy. Anybody have any luck finding this type?
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Brian
"Ribbing-the most expensive way of travelling third class"
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24 February 2014, 09:31
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#7
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Derry/Southampton
Boat name: Jumpin Jack
Make: Redbay
Length: 6m +
Engine: Mercury 200 Opti
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 415
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Def Auto for general use. But also ensure you know how to inflate manually should auto fail to fire.
Have used the Kru Sport myself the last few seasons. Very comfortable to wear. Quite a lot of buoyancy too. I think good value.
Thinking of going for a spinlock next time, tried one on and found very comfortable.
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24 February 2014, 10:16
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#8
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Portsmouth(ish)
Boat name: Wings
Make: Ribeye
Length: 6m +
Engine: Yamaha F115 AETL
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 615
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+1 for the Auto.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian
+1 for auto as well.
I have a lifejacket with 3 duffel-type toggles on it. These attach to loops I have on my sea jacket-hence when I put on the jacket the lifejacket is on too...................or maybe I am just lazy?
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Interestingly I heard that the marine industry is going away from this type of jacket now. It seems that lots of boaters (mainly yachties) hang their jacket up inside and then "just nip up on deck for a few seconds" (neglecting to put on their life-jacket as they are fastened to their coat, and the few seconds they are on deck don't warrant putting their coat on).
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24 February 2014, 12:17
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#9
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Daventry & Beaulieu
Boat name: Tigga2
Make: Ribcraft 4.8
Length: 4m +
Engine: Honda BF50
MMSI: 235900806
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 984
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jumpinjack
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Thinking of going for a spinlock next time, tried one on and found very comfortable.
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I switched to a spinlock deckvest in 2012 and would not go back to a standard lifejacket. The deckvest is just so comfy to wear.
__________________
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Chris Moody
Rib Tigga2 a Ribcraft 4.8 with a Honda BF50
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24 February 2014, 14:25
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#10
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Member
Country: UK - Wales
Town: monmouth
Boat name: Bobalong
Make: Aquapro sport
Length: 3m +
Engine: Honda 9.9 4 stroke
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 18
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Yep, Spinlock for me. Very comfortable to ware but I'm not a fan of the legstraps. Very good customer support from their base in Cowes.
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24 February 2014, 14:46
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#11
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Portsmouth(ish)
Boat name: Wings
Make: Ribeye
Length: 6m +
Engine: Yamaha F115 AETL
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 615
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I've got a Kru Sport auto which I like, but I really like the look of the Spinlock Deckvest - however......... this report isn't too good for them. I'm not sure if the latest variant addresses the issues that this report highlights?
Report Cites Problems with Spinlock Deckvests >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News
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24 February 2014, 15:11
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#12
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Exeter
Make: Highfield
Length: 5m +
Engine: Honda BF90
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 272
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ovey
I've got a Kru Sport auto which I like,
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+1 for the Kru Sport Pro. The zip front keeps it from moving about and is very comfortable.
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Happy when wet!
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24 February 2014, 15:53
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#13
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Member
Country: UK - Scotland
Town: Girvan & Tayvallich
Boat name: Breawatch
Make: Ribcraft
Length: 5m +
Engine: Mercury 150 F/stroke
MMSI: ex directory!!
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 6,203
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+3 for the Kru. Bought one last year after taking time to decide and taking inboard some advice from professionals. Have not regretted it best fitting jacket ever!!
Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net
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jambo
'Carpe Diem'
Member of the ebay Blue RIB cover club
Member of SABS ( Scottish West Division)
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24 February 2014, 16:45
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#14
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Swindon
MMSI: 235910561
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 89
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I also have the Spinlock and am very happy with it. I haven't had to test it in the water (thankfully!) but by orally inflating it, i didn't have the feeling that anything was insecure as described in that report. It is fairly new, though....
-John.
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24 February 2014, 17:22
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#15
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Member
Country: Ireland
Town: Galway
Boat name: Top Banana
Make: Scorpion 9m
Length: 9m +
Engine: Yamaha 421STI
MMSI: Yeah right!
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,164
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Interesting. I'm in the process of looking for somewhere that I can try on a Spinlock Deckvest and a Crewsaver 290 in order to make an informed choice.
It's times like this that I really miss Mailspeed Marine who used to be in Warrington. Anyone know somewhere in the Merseyside/North West area where I'll be able to try both these on?
Anyone got a Crewsaver 290 who can offer an opinion on the comfort/fit/likely durability?
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24 February 2014, 17:35
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#16
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Wirral & Caernarfon
Boat name: That's Enuff
Make: Revenger & Avon SR4
Length: 7m +
Engine: Honda 150HP & 50HP
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,408
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Barrowboy
Interesting. I'm in the process of looking for somewhere that I can try on a Spinlock Deckvest and a Crewsaver 290 in order to make an informed choice.
It's times like this that I really miss Mailspeed Marine who used to be in Warrington. Anyone know somewhere in the Merseyside/North West area where I'll be able to try both these on?
Anyone got a Crewsaver 290 who can offer an opinion on the comfort/fit/likely durability?
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I've got a deckvest lite you can try, very comfy
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24 February 2014, 18:10
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#17
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RIBnet supporter
Country: UK - Scotland
Town: Orkney
Boat name: Skylark
Make: Bombard 500
Length: 5m +
Engine: 60hp Yamaha outboard
MMSI: 235091893
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 416
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Barrowboy
Anyone got a Crewsaver 290 who can offer an opinion on the comfort/fit/likely durability?
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Happy with mine for a year but then recalled and replaced with an Ergofit due to several months delay and generally poor customer service when returned:
Boating Business - Crewsaver 290N Lifejackets recalled
Would probably not buy Crewsaver again - I thought I was paying for a top quality product, but don't feel that now. From reading this thread would give the Kru a try next time.
Also be aware that the Crewsaver Ergofit 190N failed to inflate in the Motor Boats Monthly test - July 2013... and where the Kru Sport Pro got the Best Buy award.
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24 February 2014, 18:13
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#18
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Daventry & Beaulieu
Boat name: Tigga2
Make: Ribcraft 4.8
Length: 4m +
Engine: Honda BF50
MMSI: 235900806
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 984
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I think it's important to try on a few premium brand life jackets and find the one that YOU find most comfy to wear.
We all think our own make of rib / lifejacket / sailing boot it the best and everyone else's are inferior 
__________________
--
Chris Moody
Rib Tigga2 a Ribcraft 4.8 with a Honda BF50
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24 February 2014, 18:37
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#19
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Swindon
MMSI: 235910561
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 89
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I was looking at the Kru, too, and only went for the Spinlock on the basis of recommendations from my instructor.
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24 February 2014, 19:05
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#20
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Portsmouth(ish)
Boat name: Wings
Make: Ribeye
Length: 6m +
Engine: Yamaha F115 AETL
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 615
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jlandells
I also have the Spinlock and am very happy with it. I haven't had to test it in the water (thankfully!) but by orally inflating it, i didn't have the feeling that anything was insecure as described in that report. It is fairly new, though.... -John.
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I'm not sure which year lifejackets were subject to the report but I believe Spinlock had updates in 2012 & 2014 so hopefully they've addressed that issue?
I do like my Kru Sport, but the Spinlock looks the business so may have a look at that next time around.
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There's weather out there - must be time to RIB!
(Or dive, or ref rugby, or.......)
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