[MedSailor]

I'm a fan of foam pfds but they usually don't have a harness and for at least 3 days a year it's warn enough to want an inflatable.

My 10+ year old inflatable has seen better days and chafes on my neck. Any suggestions for a better one? The crewsaver looks interesting.

 

[PaulinVictoria]

I have a Spinlock deckvest with the hydrostatic type inflator. Very comfortable, built-in harness, leg straps, spray hood, pole light etc. Not TC or USCG approved so you need to make sure you have a non-inflatible in the boat somewhere. I also have a Mustang HIT vest without the harness, legs straps etc which was quite comfortable. The inflation unit in that is about due for replacement (5 year life) so I might take it to the lake and jump in wearing it, just to see what happens.

 

[chuck5499]

We got some from West Marine - not sure they even make them but we found them warm and reasonably comfortable.

 

[Minnewaska]

My wife and I have Spinlock deskvests, with crotch straps. The straps are critical for both being in the water and potentially falling against the tether. There is an integrated harness loop. Some debate this point, but as I see it, if you want to be tethered, you should want to have a pfd as well. The only exception I can think of is singlehanding in the middle of the ocean, where you might prefer to die sooner rather than later, if you actually fell overboard.

Personally, I really like the neoprene exterior and find it very comfortable against my neck. It's a bit more bulky, rather than having the sharper edges of other models, but I think that's why its comfortable too. It's a very personal thing.

It is true that it lacks USCG cert. To be legal we have a crappy type II in a locker that I find entirely inferior. That doesn't impress me much. Our cert process is a money grab bureaucracy. It's reportedly going to change soon to conform to international standards, so it will be interesting to see if these become approved under new regs.

 

[eherlihy]

Mustang MD3184

 

[nolesailor]

I have one from West Marine...red inflatable with harness. I have been happy with it. I think it's around $200...but they go on sail now and then. One reason I decided on that one was the ability to try it on first...if I had more stores/options, I may have gone in a different direction...but, no complaints with this one...

 

[sailordave]

I've got a couple of WM inflatables w/ integral harness and an SOSpenders, but when I was at the boat show last fall I saw the Survitec. It fits REAL nice, even better than the Spinlock and was supposed to be getting USCG approval.
I've never liked the Spinlock reasoning of needing a cutting tool to free yourself from your tether. Of course you can luggage tag a snap shackle onto the tether.
And lots of times I just use a harness, no PFD.

 

[The Smokester]

You say you want the best. That is definitely the Spinlock Deckvest. Crotch straps, built-in harness, built-in strobe, spray hood, lifting strap (for the helicopter to haul you up), built-in line cutter, attachment points for radios, PLB's and optional pouches. Hydrostatic or optional manual inflation. Surprisingly, just as compact as the others and very comfortable.

Downsides: Not USCG approved so in the USA (as mentioned above) you need to carry on board separate, approved PFD's. Also, very expensive--about $500 including a spare inflator.

There is another Spinlock model, not quite as crazy, which is cheaper and is USCG approved.

 

[Minnewaska]

.....I've never liked the Spinlock reasoning of needing a cutting tool to free yourself from your tether.......

That's not a function of the Deckvest, but rather the tether. Yes, Spinlock's tethers do not have quick releases. It's a controversial topic. I come down on the side of not wanting a quick release tether. Ideally, a tether setup would never allow you to get to the water and still be tethered in. However, you can use whatever tether you like, with a Spinlock deckvest. Also, they still come with an S-cutter built into the vest, to easily cut yourself away from any line. Say, if your quick release is jammed.

 

[highside]

Just bought a couple of Spinlock Deckvests for the wife and I. After trying on the other leading vests, these were far and away the most comfortable. All the other gizmos on this vest are great too. We forget we have them on while we're sailing. Glad we bought them, even though they were the most expensive. No buyers remorse.

 

[bvander66]

Being wearing spinlock deckvest for about 15 years, presently on second one and love it. Have worn them for extended periods and find then very comfortable.

 

[miatapaul]

Wasn't it the Spinlock Deckvests that were worn on the "Uncontrollable Urge" and 4 out of 5 failed? Was there any resolution or change in design? Not sure if it was a specific range of vests that were an issue or not.

 

[MedSailor]

Wasn't it the Spinlock Deckvests that were worn on the "Uncontrollable Urge" and 4 out of 5 failed? Was there any resolution or change in design? Not sure if it was a specific range of vests that were an issue or not.

Yes that report gives me pause. ALL of the deckvests ended with the victim's head to the side of the boyancy with one death.

 

[Minnewaska]

Wasn't it the Spinlock Deckvests that were worn on the "Uncontrollable Urge" and 4 out of 5 failed? Was there any resolution or change in design? Not sure if it was a specific range of vests that were an issue or not.

Is that the one where they ended up in the surf? The result was surprising, but I recall the circumstances were very unique.

 

[MedSailor]

Is that the one where they ended up in the surf? The result was surprising, but I recall the circumstances were very unique.

Unique? You mean the surf? Waves could be common for the pfd usage. I doubt the crew of low speed chase would have faired better. Waves pushed them over the heads and to the side of EVERYONE who was wearing a spinlock. One user drowned and this was found to be a contributing factor. I won't buy one until they address their design issue.

The crewsaver looks interesting and has some comfort features and integral crotch straps and lifting straps

 

[Minnewaska]

Unique? You mean the surf? Waves could be common for the pfd usage. ....

I don't know Med. Surf and waves are not the same in my book. Surf is much more severe, as the water rotation is being affected by the bottom and you're going to be rolled over inside the wave. Waves bunch together, stand right up and, when depth is no more than 1-2x wave height, they break.

I certainly understand your reluctance. Thankfully, I've never needed my pfd deployed in an emergency. I am due for new cartridges this season and I'm tempted to take a dip off the side deck to see them inflate for myself and try to determine whether I think it could reasonably get past my head. If it can, I'm out too. However, I highly suspect this is a question of proper fit and tightening of the chest and leg straps. Let's face it, its always more comfortable with a pfd fitted more loosely.

I thought Practical Sailor had a fair assessment, acknowledging the gap between the bladder and vest, but could not get the condition to repeat. Others did the same, which creates the hypothesis that it was a poor fit or improve tightening problem. I'm as anxious as you are to know for sure.

http://www.practical-sailor.com/blog/Report-Cites-Problems-with-Spinlock-Deckvests-11226-1.html

 

[ScottUK]

Also have the spinlock deckvest. Do not like the leg straps as they slide down and then get caught on my hamstrings so I am stooped over until I can tend to it. Unfortunately it is a real nuisance when racing so at times I just undo the whole strap. I think the design could be easily remedied.

 

[Irunbird]

We use Spinlocks with WM tethers. The crotch straps just get in the way too much and are a pain in the arse to get into when it's dark, so we prefer to cinch the waist down snugly after putting it on to maybe prevent what happened in the "uncontrollable urge" report. I've crewed enough on a friend's boat who bought a bunch of the Spinlock tethers and am glad I bring my WM version.. much easier to release the jackline clips single-handed.

 

[sailordave]

That's not a function of the Deckvest, but rather the tether. Yes, Spinlock's tethers do not have quick releases. It's a controversial topic. I come down on the side of not wanting a quick release tether. Ideally, a tether setup would never allow you to get to the water and still be tethered in. However, you can use whatever tether you like, with a Spinlock deckvest. Also, they still come with an S-cutter built into the vest, to easily cut yourself away from any line. Say, if your quick release is jammed.

On my boat at least, I leave the tether clipped on to a folding padeye in the cockpit and unclip the tether from my PFD when I'm safely inside the cabin standing on the companionway. Leave the tether on the bridge deck and I can clip on before exiting the companionway. Much safer in crappy conditions.

 

[engineer_sailor]

We have two of the Mustang MD 3184s (HIT w/ Integrated harness). Just started using tether. Love the vest. Have read that the optional crotch strap is needed to keep the vest down when inflated in water but no personal experience.

Josh