Female Buoyancy Aids

Trying to persuade my better half to ditch her 15-20 year old Busta (yes, really!!!) buoyancy aid.
Just wondered whether the female buoyancy aids on the market were shaped any differently than the male/unisex ones or were basically the same design but in girly colours.

Ladies, any recommendations?

Edited by jaydub - 08 Sep 15 at 12:31pm

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Delicious Digg Facebook Furl Google MySpace Newsvine reddit StumbleUpon Translate Twitter Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
jaydub Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 06 Jan 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 267	Post Options Post Reply Quote jaydub Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Female Buoyancy Aids Posted: 07 Sep 15 at 8:27pm
	Trying to persuade my better half to ditch her 15-20 year old Busta (yes, really!!!) buoyancy aid. Just wondered whether the female buoyancy aids on the market were shaped any differently than the male/unisex ones or were basically the same design but in girly colours. Ladies, any recommendations? Edited by jaydub - 08 Sep 15 at 12:31pm

craiggo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1810	Post Options Post Reply Quote craiggo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Sep 15 at 8:39pm
	In general I think they are pretty unisex and as such aren't always great for women. My wife spent a reasonable time looking for one that she felt secure in. She ended up choosing a magic marine ba which has neoprene inner belt secured with Velcro which prevents it riding up.

Fraggle Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 28 Feb 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 220	Post Options Post Reply Quote Fraggle Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Sep 15 at 8:34am
	The only one I have ever felt comfortable in is the rooster ladies freeform black diamond buoyancy aid http://www.roostersailing.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=1&Product_Code=RBAFF&Category_Code=buoyancy. It has a split panel in the front so that it actually goes around curves rather than flattening everything. Soo much comfier than any other buoyancy aid around. Makes a change for sailing gear to be designed for female shape rather than just made pink or baby blue like most things are.

jaydub Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 06 Jan 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 267	Post Options Post Reply Quote jaydub Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Sep 15 at 12:32pm
	No side zip on the Black Diamond IIRC. How easy was it to get it on and off?

rogerd Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 25 May 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1076	Post Options Post Reply Quote rogerd Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Sep 15 at 3:11pm
	My wife who has all the curves in all the right places really struggled to find a buoyancy aid that didnt push everything up or flatten so it was really uncomfortable. She settles on one with a front zip. I cant remember the name and am not able to check at the moment but it is black and Orange. I will get the name tomorrow.

Bootscooter Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 15 May 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1094	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bootscooter Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Sep 15 at 4:00pm
	Have a look at Rooster - my daughter loves hers

Fraggle Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 28 Feb 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 220	Post Options Post Reply Quote Fraggle Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Sep 15 at 4:12pm
	I've never had an issue with getting the black diamond on and off jaydub. Mine is a very early version without the neoprene covers on the buckles so may be easier. Best bet is to try one on and see how get on with it as I know some people prefer zips (I personally find them annoying on BAs)

Oatsandbeans Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 19 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 382	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oatsandbeans Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Sep 15 at 5:38pm
	I am amazed that this thread has stayed completely on topic and has not be hijacked by sexist chauvanists - it would never have happened on Sailing Anarchy- I can just image how it would have gone there!!

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Sep 15 at 5:41pm
	Yep, it appears the US sailing population has really got a major attitude problem.

iiiiitick Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 19 May 15 Online Status: Offline Posts: 240	Post Options Post Reply Quote iiiiitick Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Sep 15 at 6:23pm
	Just to lower the tone then.......I know lots of sailing girls and they all seem to wear ordinary sailing clothing but I have seen those wet suits with projections glued on in the bosom area. Was the life jacket nicknamed Mae West called this because of its resemblance to the physical characteristics of the voluptuous Miss (is that a gun in your pocket or are you really pleased to see me) West?