Crewsaver Crewfit 190N

Steve_B · 22 January 2010, 19:16

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience of the above jacket.

Was about to send money for a couple of Spinlock Deckvest's, when I got an email from Safety Marine.

Advantage that is immediately obvious is that there is one adult size, whereas the Spinlock is in 3 sizes. If I have crew of different weight/sizes, I will need more than 2 jackets.

They are very similar in price
Steve

SeaSkills · 23 January 2010, 06:54

It looks like a very good jacket - but if your concern is about ease of adjustment for different sizes, have you considered the Kru Sport Pro jacket? We're using them now as they're so easy to fit on different sizes, come with crotch straps and spray hoods, and they're very comfortable to wear (and I'm not on commission!)

Knot Yet · 23 January 2010, 08:36

If its of any help - I tried both on at the Boat Show and preferred the Crewsaver - looking to get 2 later this year

Talked to the guys at the Crewsaver stand - they have a new 275n Crewsaver based on the 190n coming out later this year. Additionally they recommended the new 190N over the current 275n - if wearing a drysuit.

They were not selling direct themselves at the Show - so there was no pressure to buy - they also recommended we waited a few months for availability to grow and prices to stabilise below the £200 mark

As an added point I know there is lots of discussion on which lifejacket to match with what type of clothing but they felt the 150n was totally inadequate if wearing a drysuit with boots - hence our need to change.

J

Leapy · 23 January 2010, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knot Yet

Talked to the guys at the Crewsaver stand - they have a new 275n Crewsaver based on the 190n coming out later this year. Additionally they recommended the new 190N over the current 275n - if wearing a drysuit.

That's what they told me...contrary to some on here who advocate 275n with drysuits

Knot Yet · 23 January 2010, 09:01

Interesting isn't it - I'm learning that any form of Boating is not an exact science

According to Crewsaver the issue with drysuits and boots is that the air in the boots raises the height of your feet pushing your head further back towards water level.

The new 190n design is really neat - its designed to turn you over if on your front due to the inflation bags over lapping - it also sits much higher up your body keeping your head further above water level and therefore better compensates for heavy clothing/drysuits and air pockets.

The implication from Crewsaver was that the 275n in its current form doesn't really improve your chances of survival - regardless of clothing and in many cases can impeed survival - but quote "its all a matter of personal choice" which when you are new and learning is very hard to make. Once assumes more is better but in this case it would seem not to be so clear.

Therefore the 190n to me seems the most perfect solution and the inference was that those with RIBs would see the 190n become a common choice - who knows - I get the feeling its a discussion point that will never be clear or won

J

Tim M · 23 January 2010, 09:28

I find the crotch straps on the Spinnlock really uncomfortable.

Steve_B · 23 January 2010, 17:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

I find the crotch straps on the Spinnlock really uncomfortable.

Ok thats decision made! No way I want an uncomfortable crotch .......
Steve

Knot Yet · 23 January 2010, 18:55

Poly · 23 January 2010, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by 250kts

Ok thats decision made! No way I want an uncomfortable crotch .......
Steve

I think they're actually thigh straps maybe tim's putting it on wrong?

I would trust the 190N argument better if it wasn't that the only people who are claiming it are the only company selling 190N jackets. Do you think they would supply 150/190/275N jackets and rearm kits for a Ribnet trial with floatation suits and drysuits?

Knot Yet · 23 January 2010, 19:57

From all the things I've read I can't imagine there will ever be a clear cut answer - although the 190N selling points made sense to me at the time

Would certainly be very interesting to see a "test" take place though

J

Tim M · 24 January 2010, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

I think they're actually thigh straps maybe tim's putting it on wrong?

I would trust the 190N argument better if it wasn't that the only people who are claiming it are the only company selling 190N jackets. Do you think they would supply 150/190/275N jackets and rearm kits for a Ribnet trial with floatation suits and drysuits?

Thigh strap is a better name for them. Basically there are two straps, one on either side of the "vest" which hang down, attached to them in a strap that you fasten around the top of your leg. The trouble I find is, if you bend down the bit around your leg drops down, which can make standing back up again tricky. Likewise they tend to pull your trouser legs up as well which is very irritating! I currently don't have any fitted to my Spinlock, but have considered taking the ones of my now retired Crewsaver 250 and putting them on. You can also buy those as a separate accessory.

Safety aside, the Spinlock does look uber cool, and is pretty comfortable to wear (unlike a lot of jackets doesn't chafe around the neck)