Buoyancy Aids
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11239
Printed Date: 14 Jul 25 at 7:43pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Buoyancy Aids
Posted By: Granite
Subject: Buoyancy Aids
Date Posted: 03 Dec 13 at 1:33pm
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I currently have a Magic Marine buoyancy aid, it is reaching the end of its life and I could do with replacing it. I can't remember the model name but looking on their website they don't seem to make it any more.
The thing I like about it is that it is secured around the middle with a thick band of elastic that you velco tight when you put it on. the outer of the vest then zips up. As you set the elastic tension each time you put it on it is always correct, and as it is elastic it does not restrict movement or feel tight as you bend an breath. I have never had a problem with it riding up as the elastic keeps it very secure, over the years I have used many different types of BA and this has to be the best. Looking online, and in my local chandlers I have not seen anything simlair. Does anyone have any recommendations for a BA with easy adjustment, and preferably elastic as the main positioning/closure method. I normally use it for a mix of hiking and trapezing. ------------- If it doesn't break it's too heavy; if it does it wasn't built right |
Replies:
Posted By: yellowwelly
Date Posted: 03 Dec 13 at 1:47pm
| Dakine Matrix Vest- very low profile, designed to work with harnesses. Impact protection, which is equally important to float imho, and if you get trapped, there's not excessive volume to prevent swimming DOWN and OUT. |
Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 03 Dec 13 at 2:53pm
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I love my Gill Compressor. Snug fit, very comfy, doesn't snag as you haul your sorry ass back into the boat, a bit of a bugger to get on over a drysuit. No pockets. I recently bought the new Rooster one. Lovely large pocket, terrible for snagging when hauling my sorry ass....so good for instructing safety boating etc, otherwise I don't wear it. ------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: Neptune
Date Posted: 03 Dec 13 at 3:26pm
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I like the idea of the Gill compressor and such like but I really want a pocket in my buoyancy aid to keep thinks like a knife and energy gels for between races in - not many handy cubby holes on a Musto! ------------- Musto Skiff and Solo sailor |
Posted By: tgruitt
Date Posted: 03 Dec 13 at 3:48pm
I have a new Rooster one and it has LOADS of mars bar space. The Gill is comfy but not practical. ------------- Needs to sail more... |
Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 03 Dec 13 at 3:52pm
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I have found I can put the strap of the Gill through the sheaf of my safety knife, but otherwise you do have to have somewhere in the boat to stash stuff. I tend to tape fgood bars onto the boom, and have a mesh bag in the boat for other stuff but certainly some boats are better than others for storage. ------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 03 Dec 13 at 4:28pm
| Yes, in many ways the pocket on the Rooster BA would be better inside rather than outside... Mine has been snagged so many times the pocket half pulled off! A velcro closed inside pocket that I could put a handful of loose change in for the teabreak would be handy. |
Posted By: yellowwelly
Date Posted: 03 Dec 13 at 4:31pm
| I found a crumpled fiver in my drysuit pocket the other week... it had been there a year, but luckily was still legal tender for the (much improved) Draycote burger. |
Posted By: Do Different
Date Posted: 03 Dec 13 at 6:16pm
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On a slightly off thread but related question. In what order are people wearing buoyancy aids, trapeze harnesses? I have taken to wearing my harness over my buoyancy aid. The thinking being in the event of the hook snagging it will be more intuitive to release my harness (which I do daily after all) and wriggle out than fumble for the QR hook toggle (I'm not convinced it would release under load anyway). It also provides clear access to the hook. My harness is a nappy type so no buckles to get snagged moving around the boat and smoothes the outline when sliding over the gunwale. I know that some will say buoyancy aid is best on top and easy to discard to avoid being trapped by unwanted flotation. I guess the Gill Compressor would take some getting out of though and some favour a rash vest over everything for a smooth outline. |
Posted By: getafix
Date Posted: 03 Dec 13 at 7:24pm
| FWIW I prefer harness on top, absolute bugger to adjust (tighten) the shoulder straps while sailing otherwise |
Posted By: Neptune
Date Posted: 03 Dec 13 at 8:29pm
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Always harness under, feel more connected in the harness that way, snug if you like. Zhik harness so nothing to really catch ------------- Musto Skiff and Solo sailor |
Posted By: sargesail
Date Posted: 03 Dec 13 at 10:09pm
Phil - you are a proper Jock, with extra Grampian conditioning. Surely that's not the one you had at Uni still?
 No wonder they don't make it any more - Kapok has been superceded. |
Posted By: Granite
Date Posted: 03 Dec 13 at 10:59pm
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Matt I am reasonably sure I got the current BA this century, if you find something you like why change it.
The Gill compressor looks like a possibility but not sure of the styling. Does the rooster have a solid strap as this has the problem that if tight it restricts movement and loose rdes up I find that a ba under the harness uncomfortable on my back, and shoulder straps are a pain. ------------- If it doesn't break it's too heavy; if it does it wasn't built right |
Posted By: yellowwelly
Date Posted: 03 Dec 13 at 11:12pm
| Gill Compressor- paint it green, tie a coloured ribbon around your eyes, pick a renaissance artist and get deed poll to change your name... Cowabunga dudes. |
Posted By: Neal_g
Date Posted: 03 Dec 13 at 11:37pm
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typhoon Mekong pkt is a good one ------------- (Redoubt Sc) Miracle 4040 GP14 13407 Crewsaver phase 2 range now available to buy online on at http://www.gibsonsails.com |
Posted By: scotsfinn
Date Posted: 04 Dec 13 at 7:44pm
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Spinlock make the most comfortable buoyancy aid I have ever used in dinghy sailing. ------------- Largs Sailing Club. D-Zero GBR 57, B14 744 www.blueseaconsultingllp.com |
Posted By: Strangler
Date Posted: 04 Dec 13 at 11:56pm
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" Kapok has been superceded."
No. Its making a comeback because it is a natural product as opposed the plastic? based stuff currently used. |
Posted By: Blue One
Date Posted: 05 Dec 13 at 12:48am
| i have a magic marine and am thinking of replacing it with a spinlock one. |
Posted By: yellowwelly
Date Posted: 05 Dec 13 at 8:16am
| Aren't Spinlock a bit trendy for you ;-) |
Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 05 Dec 13 at 8:56am
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https://www.spinlock.co.uk/en/categories/zero-buoyancy-aid/product_groups/zero-buoyancy-aid It does look good, but it should do at that price! ------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: yellowwelly
Date Posted: 05 Dec 13 at 9:33am
| I dunno, it looks a little low cut at the front, wouldn't that dig a bit in the guts when rolling up for a tack? |
Posted By: Blue One
Date Posted: 05 Dec 13 at 10:44am
thats very true  but on the other hand, if you had one, you would have it for a week, tell everybody great it is. then sell it and get a diferent one! |
Posted By: yellowwelly
Date Posted: 05 Dec 13 at 10:50am
If only had it for a week then there's a bloody good chance it wouldn't have even got wet
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Posted By: Neptune
Date Posted: 05 Dec 13 at 10:56am
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has anyone tried the Sandiline ones? The rest of the kits seems to get good feedback on here
%20" rel="nofollow - http://suntouched.co.uk/suntouchedsailboats_044.htm ------------- Musto Skiff and Solo sailor |