cheap alternative to gecko helmet?

[BruceB]

The whole point of a Gecko or similiar is that if you fall overboard at speed and the water catches under the chin that it doesn't try and rip your head off!
The visor is supposed to come off before your neck snaps. Otherwise a motorcycle helmet would work just as well and cheap light ABS bike helmets can be had for £25 upwards.

[Jizm]

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

Damn, doesn't bode well! I haven't see them in the flesh, picking up Friday from shop, but she said if I don't like the look of them they will refund me.

Jisms look good, have you got them and used them?

Got one left, awaiting delivery, at the end of the day they are good value but they are £25 so don't expect an Arai! Also they are designed for bikes not boats just to re-iterate BruceB's post.

I do the flip fronts aswell, £55 and up. also bluetooth etc etc....

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by BruceB

The whole point of a Gecko or similiar is that if you fall overboard at speed and the water catches under the chin that it doesn't try and rip your head off!
The visor is supposed to come off before your neck snaps. Otherwise a motorcycle helmet would work just as well and cheap light ABS bike helmets can be had for £25 upwards.

Strange then that Geckos cannot be used for offshore racing, while bike helmets can.

[Nos4r2]

Save Phace anyone?

Or even a cheap paintball mask?

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Save Phace anyone?

Or even a cheap paintball mask?

Had a go with painball mask, just steamed up.

How much are the save phace these days? Black! Don't want to look a nutter.

[SPR]

interesting MAIB report about Helmets:

http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources...0Powerboat.pdf

S.

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Originally Posted by SPR

interesting MAIB report about Helmets:

http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources...0Powerboat.pdf

S.

Interesting article, arguing the case for both gecko and helmets. Luckily I'm not racing.

Anyone got a save phace for sale?

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

Had a go with painball mask, just steamed up.

How much are the save phace these days? Black! Don't want to look a nutter.

Here:-

http://rib.net/shop/

[m chappelow]

well one thing the lifeboat crewman who fell and copped a prop a couple of years back ,even though suffering bad head injuries he would certainly have died had he not been wearing a helmet .

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

Had a go with painball mask, just steamed up.

How much are the save phace these days? Black! Don't want to look a nutter.

The Save Phace masks are £55, so somewhere betweem Bob the builder and a Gecko. I have the plain black in stock. They don't steam up!

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Cheers jk. Gonna send the bob the builder hats back to bob, consensus seems to be they aren't up to it and the visor may be too small in hindsight. Bid on some second hand ski goggles which if I win will do me. If not or if goggles near SFace price I'll give you a pm.

[Mike B]

Possible alternative specifically for marine use here

http://www.abaris.co.uk/index.php?ma...roducts_id=355

Personally I would still go for a Gekho but may suit some.

Mike

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Originally Posted by Mike B

Possible alternative specifically for marine use here

http://www.abaris.co.uk/index.php?ma...roducts_id=355

Personally I would still go for a Gekho but may suit some.

Mike

Cheers Mike, another alternative. As you say, at that price, I'd be tempted to go the whole hog and get a gecko. Horses for courses, it may suit someone.

Hopefully we won't need any visors this year as the weather will be tropical! Though sometimes it's good to play in the rough stuff!

Happy boating everyone, my season starts sunday!!!!

[treerat]

Worth keeping an eye out for one of these http://www.gathhelmets.co.uk/categories

No cheaper than a Gecko but an great alternative.

[Beaman]

If the objective is simply to keep driving rain off your face, what I use is a polyfleece neck warmer pulled up over my nose like a bandits mask, a set of watersport goggles, a toque or bill cap (set to lock), and in really ugly weather, my mustang jacket hood up with face shield velcro'd over. There is no exposed skin and I'm toasty warm in below freezing temps.

In low light on a shite day, a pair of seven dollar yellow safety glasses make the day look much happier and clear ones at night. When they're scratched, throw them out and use new.

If you stuff the bow, even a crew helmet won't keep your face off the radar box. Better to pay attention. The helmet will avoid head injuries, but it sounds like you're wanting to keep the rain from peeling your face off.

But then I'm a cheapskate, and I have wondered what a full face helmet with intercom would be like to use on a crewed boat. Maybe one of those suits NASA sends up with full environmental controls and a jetpack for close in manouevres

[Sonar]

Well having now read through all the above posts it seems there in not a good alternative to the Geko helmets.

Geko seem at this time the market leaders in marine headgear.

With full face or part face visors options of intercom fittings and an inflatable internal bladder inside the helmet means a good fit.
and very Light weight.

Not to mention a wide choice of colours.

I would choose a Geko again every time.
The headgear for serious ribbers.

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Originally Posted by Sonar

Well having now read through all the above posts it seems there in not a good alternative to the Geko helmets.

Geko seem at this time the market leaders in marine headgear.

With full face or part face visors options of intercom fittings and an inflatable internal bladder inside the helmet means a good fit.
and very Light weight.

Not to mention a wide choice of colours.

I would choose a Geko again every time.
The headgear for serious ribbers.

I think you are right, if you can justify the cost, ie useage. I don't boat enough, or often enough in horrible weather. I got lucky and won a set of decent SMITH ski goggles on ebay for £4 with yellow visor. Combined with decent Musto jacket with high collar and hood up, that should do. Interesting responses though.

Happy boating. Last weekend, i just needed shades, had sun/mon/tues on the water, bright sun, chilly wind, but flat calm. Awesome first week end.

[tony t]

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

I think you are right, if you can justify the cost, ie useage. I don't boat enough, or often enough in horrible weather. I got lucky and won a set of decent SMITH ski goggles on ebay for £4 with yellow visor. Combined with decent Musto jacket with high collar and hood up, that should do. Interesting responses though.

Happy boating. Last weekend, i just needed shades, had sun/mon/tues on the water, bright sun, chilly wind, but flat calm. Awesome first week end.

no pictures paul ...how about investing in a video/camera

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Originally Posted by tony t

no pictures paul ...how about investing in a video/camera

Got an iPhone and got footage at 50mph from Beaumaris to Menai. Though when I upload to you tube it takes 2 hrs to upload 5 mins, nit sure what I'm doing wrong. Needs compressing or something.

[HUMBER P4VWL]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr_5tk3TWmo

Finally, after 2 hours uploading.

Happy now mr T. shots from beaumaris pier up to puffin island on the menai straits, then a run down to the bridges past gallows point, bangor pier, the gazelle, ryan giggs house, then to menai itself.

Most of it at 30mph, but hit 50mph that day after i put the camera down. Well chuffed. Good for another couple of mph as well with some trimming a bit further. Went really well.