In case you have been curious about self-inflating Lifejackets

[Kiltmadoc]

Here's proof that they work (time between water impact and inflation to surface was 1.3333 seconds, since my camera takes 3 frames per second; and it took four frames for my buddy to re-surface).

Before:



After:

[Faster]

Good to know... water warm already?

btw.. in Canada, these PFDs only 'count' as legal coverage if they are being worn. In other words, if you have 4 (of these) in a locker and that's it, and 4 people on deck w/o any PFDs on, you're in violation.

Not sure if any or all the states have the same rules.... food for thought.

[Kiltmadoc]

Nope, not warm yet, the water in Salem, MA is about 55 right now. Warm enough for us eastern types though.

Plus, my sail buddy wanted to get wet anyway to inspect what we did to the keel when we "discovered" a rock near the Marblehead Channel (chipped the paint is all, thank goodness).

[capttb]

USCG only counts them if being worn in the states also, however they didn't have a problem with them hanging in the cabin when I was boarded last year.
I stuck a toe in the water at Sakonnet in August once and it felt like 34 degrees, you are a hearty breed back there indeed.

[DropTop]

I took the wind surfer I picked up on craigslist last fall for $150 up to the cape and went out on it sunday off one of the islands between cape cod and plymouth, felt like it was about 50 degrees. had my 2mil shorty suit on, did NOT like going in the water. Monday did the same thing here on long island sound of of norwalk, and water was hovering around 60, was pretty comfortable in the wet suit.

[sailak]

Originally Posted by capttb

USCG only counts them if being worn in the states also, however they didn't have a problem with them hanging in the cabin when I was boarded last year.

I don't understand the reasoning on that. It's not like an inflatable is any harder/slower to don than any other PFD.

We wear ours at all times when underway.

[SantaCruising]

In the event of a capsize, with these stored in a berth or hanging..would they auto-inflate when not worn and in contact with water? Just trying to think of reasons for the regulations.... maybe they are hard to get on after they inflate off your body?

[xsboats]

What happens when the cold CO2 hits the inside lining of the air bladders ?

[mccary]

Hey, I was in Salem this last Sunday. We spent a good deal of the afternoon at Salem Willows. We were visiting the daughter's family and just had to get out near the water. Spent a couple hours watching all those boats in the mooring field on the North Side, Collins Cove (I think). The water looked pretty cold to me... we had a nice lunch at Finz.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by sailak

I don't understand the reasoning on that. It's not like an inflatable is any harder/slower to don than any other PFD.

We wear ours at all times when underway.

I expect the the reasoning behind have to wear inflatables to count comes from the fact that a manual inflatable will simply sink if thrown to someone in the water.