T&T: Life Preservers

[Peter Bennett]

You're looking at their commercial/SOLAS line - I'd prefer to get
something from their (or Mustang's) recreational line for routine use.

Your first link is a totally unwearable "horsecollar" - no sane person
would wear it except in an emergency.  The second link is somewhat
wearable, but doesn't look like something I'd want to wear for long.

I would suggest something from their recreational Sport Vest line at
http://www.stearnsrec.com/dyn_prodlist.php?k=80874  or Mustang's vests
at http://www.mustangsurvival.com/products/category.php?t=3

By the way - you mention that you bought your mate a Mustang
inflatable - did you buy one for yourself?

The Canadian regulations say we must have an approved PFD _of
appropriate size_ for each person on board, so, if we expect to have
small children on board, we need suitable child size vests for them.

Thursday, January 3, 2008, 2:31:52 PM, Frank wrote:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FB> thanks


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

-- 
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI    Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Ennos 31 "Honeycomb"
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter 
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca