Aloha from Hawaii. Just found your channel. Sifting through your videos and blogs for encouragement. I’m currently building a Class 40 without much budget, and love your stories about epic boats and voyages without a big wallet. Your stories of problem-solving are great tonic. Thanks for what you do.
after discussions with USCG helo pilots and rescue divers, a few things: 1. although the strobe is better than nothing, they are not powerful enough to be seen and you are better off to purchase a separate emergency strobe... 2. the crotch strap doesn't work if you don't put it on ;-) PLEASE everyone attach the strap while wearing the vest. I just switched to the new Mustang EP38....more comfy than the spinlock and I'd love to see your review of that one
Having watched the TeamO review with the backtow, I was convinced that was the way to go. How important do you think that is and is it enough to base a decision on? I also wonder how you would release the backtow strap if necessary. Is there a built in release or do you need to carry a knife?
Buy a different PFD. I've got a Spinlock 5D PFD. Seemed okay. After reinstalling the CO2 cartridge after a trip I pulled the zipper closed and it snapped right off. It's plastic! There's no excuse for such shoddiness. I've had this PFD open a couple of times to remove the cartridge for air travel and to install a Personal Locator EPIRB. This time no bueno. A couple of complaints. 1. It's not very comfortable. It's always pressed against my neck. My Mustang was always more comfortable. 2. There's no clear way to install, attach, carry the EPIRB. I just stuffed inside the right side, made a small hole to tie on the lanyard. This should've been clearer and better. 3. There's no pocket for a Rigger's Knife. There is on the right side some pocket, what it's for is not at all clear. It's small and useless 4. The leg straps are always a hassle. Everything is black and small and under so you can't just attach them. You have to fuss a lot. I just leave them attached and fuss around to get my feet through. The problem with the zipper is that there are these yellow sections of zipper teeth. I've worked with them before, but after several months I don't remember the details of them. They just seem to be a hassle. (Someone will like comment as though everybody except me knows... This criticism is common. I was once yelled at when I suggested an owner of a defective product put some heat on the manufacturer by raising the issue the product's forum page. Ah, why is it okay to loudly express anger and hostility towards me, but not put any pressure on the people who sold you the very expensive faulty item? They backed off when I started fixing everything on board that broke from chaffing, a bad rigging job, or figured out solutions. Two types of mindset.) At least Spinlock has replacement zipper pulls. With shipping $17USD. It's interesting their videos have comments disconnected.. DIY leg straps: For my Mustang PFD and those of friends I've made 1" (2.5cm) webbing leg straps. A sewn loop on one side which attaches with a carabiner, then under the leg and up through the back of the vest, on the other side double overhand knot and another carabiner. Fully adjustable by untying the knot; I wouldn't hesitate clipping into a helicopter cable to be pulled up. Not sure about the Spinlock. An order of magnitude stronger than the Spinlock. You could make these straps without any sewing by using two overhand knots. (I got the Spinlock because it's supposed to be better in open ocean. Has a hood, some neck support -- which is important. Your head has some support for when hypothermia weakens you to the point you can't keep your head up and out of the water. That's how a friend died in 20C (68°f) water.
5:10 only needs to be a couple of INCHES under the water to deploy, not feet. Think of how ridiculous that would be, if you had to be three feet underwater for your jacket to inflate. This also shows that you never deployed one of these in the real world.
Aloha from Hawaii. Just found your channel. Sifting through your videos and blogs for encouragement. I’m currently building a Class 40 without much budget, and love your stories about epic boats and voyages without a big wallet. Your stories of problem-solving are great tonic. Thanks for what you do.
after discussions with USCG helo pilots and rescue divers, a few things: 1. although the strobe is better than nothing, they are not powerful enough to be seen and you are better off to purchase a separate emergency strobe... 2. the crotch strap doesn't work if you don't put it on ;-) PLEASE everyone attach the strap while wearing the vest.
I just switched to the new Mustang EP38....more comfy than the spinlock and I'd love to see your review of that one
Great info, just what I was looking for. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Great info. Thanks!
Having watched the TeamO review with the backtow, I was convinced that was the way to go. How important do you think that is and is it enough to base a decision on? I also wonder how you would release the backtow strap if necessary. Is there a built in release or do you need to carry a knife?
Wondering if there are other lights included with this jacket
Great video ! Thank you ! I weight 95kg should I go for the 170N or the 275N?
Excellent!
Any ideas for pfds for rowing? It seems that rowers don’t think they need one. I want to row but want to wear one..
What about zippers? Are they whole plastic fabric? Or they are gonna rusty with salt water?
all plastic
all plastic, but fresh water washing still required to prevent salt build up that would render the zip just as unmovable as if it was rusted.
@@CSMtheMariner thanks for reply guys. Love the explanation you did in this video. I just ordered mine for kayaking wild fishing!!. Cheers
Back towing it's a must every manufacturer should doit! You will drawn aside from the boat. With this type of pdfs
Buy a different PFD. I've got a Spinlock 5D PFD. Seemed okay. After reinstalling the CO2 cartridge after a trip I pulled the zipper closed and it snapped right off. It's plastic! There's no excuse for such shoddiness. I've had this PFD open a couple of times to remove the cartridge for air travel and to install a Personal Locator EPIRB. This time no bueno.
A couple of complaints. 1. It's not very comfortable. It's always pressed against my neck. My Mustang was always more comfortable.
2. There's no clear way to install, attach, carry the EPIRB. I just stuffed inside the right side, made a small hole to tie on the lanyard. This should've been clearer and better.
3. There's no pocket for a Rigger's Knife. There is on the right side some pocket, what it's for is not at all clear. It's small and useless
4. The leg straps are always a hassle. Everything is black and small and under so you can't just attach them. You have to fuss a lot. I just leave them attached and fuss around to get my feet through.
The problem with the zipper is that there are these yellow sections of zipper teeth. I've worked with them before, but after several months I don't remember the details of them. They just seem to be a hassle. (Someone will like comment as though everybody except me knows... This criticism is common. I was once yelled at when I suggested an owner of a defective product put some heat on the manufacturer by raising the issue the product's forum page. Ah, why is it okay to loudly express anger and hostility towards me, but not put any pressure on the people who sold you the very expensive faulty item? They backed off when I started fixing everything on board that broke from chaffing, a bad rigging job, or figured out solutions. Two types of mindset.)
At least Spinlock has replacement zipper pulls. With shipping $17USD. It's interesting their videos have comments disconnected..
DIY leg straps: For my Mustang PFD and those of friends I've made 1" (2.5cm) webbing leg straps. A sewn loop on one side which attaches with a carabiner, then under the leg and up through the back of the vest, on the other side double overhand knot and another carabiner. Fully adjustable by untying the knot; I wouldn't hesitate clipping into a helicopter cable to be pulled up. Not sure about the Spinlock. An order of magnitude stronger than the Spinlock. You could make these straps without any sewing by using two overhand knots.
(I got the Spinlock because it's supposed to be better in open ocean. Has a hood, some neck support -- which is important. Your head has some support for when hypothermia weakens you to the point you can't keep your head up and out of the water. That's how a friend died in 20C (68°f) water.
Do I get a £1 for a very Spinlock mention
5:10 only needs to be a couple of INCHES under the water to deploy, not feet.
Think of how ridiculous that would be, if you had to be three feet underwater for your jacket to inflate. This also shows that you never deployed one of these in the real world.
I thought it's automatic 🤔