T&T: Life Preservers

[Frank Burrows]

This question is not going to be anywhere near as much fun as anchors or 2 
microns but I am getting tired of battery talk.

I have had my boat for too long. I am now faced with replacing the current 
PFDs because I am worried about the effectiveness of 25 year old life 
preservers. I bought a nice Mustang inflatable for my non swimming mate and 
I am strictly a coastal cruiser.

Years ago there were Type I vests that had greater buoyancy and Type II 
that were less effective. The type I had an advantage in that they would 
turn an unconscious person over. In looking at the current Stearns catalog 
they have ones that look like the old type II vests but have more buoyancy 
than the ones that look like type I.

Here is an example of Stearns Type 1 with 35 lbs of buoyancy. Is is Solas 
rated but looks like an old type II:

http://www.stearnssafety.com/dyn_prod.php?p=STRI110

Here is an example of what Type I vests used to look like but only has 22 
lbs of buoyancy:

http://www.stearnssafety.com/dyn_prod.php?p=STR6000

Obviously the flat preservers are a lot easier to store but does anyone 
have any particular thoughts or opinions.

thanks


Frank Burrows     Destiny   1979  43'  Viking MY
      Piney Narrows     Chesapeake Bay