Crewsaver crewfit life jacket

[greenb]

Just after some advice on these automatic life vests are they any good and would they activate just from getting wet
Thanks
Ben

[Poly]

Crewsaver are a well respected brand.

I think the crewfit is available in both a standard auto version and a hamar auto version. The hamar will not activate until immersed to a reasonable depth, but they are harder to "rearm" and usually more expensive. All standard auto jackets are susceptible to going off when wet; unless someone has tested lots of jackets in similar conditions they probably won't have any definitive view on whether crewfits are more/less susceptible.

[ShinyShoe]

There are two designs of auto:
- a salt tablet
- a hydrostatic release

Salt tablets dissolve in water and allow a spring to push a pin through a seal and release CO2 from the cylinder. They are more likely to accidentally activate than hydrostatics. They are cheaper.

Hydrostatic release uses the effect of water pressure to detect when the bottom of the lifejacket is under water. It needs to be quite far under water so it doesn't normally go off by accident.

So the question most people have with salt tablets is how much water is needed. The answer is quite a lot. Relatively few accidental activations happen worn despite absolute dowsings. They are usually designed so that the water needs to get inside some fabric, then a plastic device. However, they are prone to going off in wet lockers on boats where they may sit softening the salt over several weeks and months... ...still the number of accidental activations is small.

The crew saver's you mention are salt tablet.

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by Poly

I think the crewfit is available in both a standard auto version and a hamar auto version.

Clearly I had done my search sorted by price and the Hanmar was off the page!

[greenb]

Thanks for your replies,so shall I buy these?

Look at this on eBay Pair Crewsaver Crewfit Lifejacket Sport 165N All Models & Colours Available | eBay
Thanks
Ben

[Poly]

Originally Posted by greenb

Thanks for your replies,so shall I buy these?

You need to make up your own mind.

EDIT: But I think they are cheaper (and certainly some other similar offerings are) at Force 4. just realised your ebay price is a pair...

[greenb]

Im trying too make up my own mind hence why im asking if those are any good as I have no idea
Cheers
Ben

[willk]

Originally Posted by greenb

Im trying too make up my own mind hence why im asking if those are any good as I have no idea
Cheers
Ben

Some of us may be reluctant to recommend something as critical as a lifejacket - I have no such qualms*. Those jackets are fine - a good price from a decent supplier and manufacturer. Unless you're going offshore sailing on a yacht, don't bother with the harness - although some will say the D-ring on the harness is handy to clip sh1t to - which is a valid point.
DO NOT buy manual units!!! Those are most likely Halkey Roberts type mechanisms (bobbin) not Hammars, and I think they will suit you better in the long run.


* Until recently I thought that Qualms were a tropical fruit similar to mangos...

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by willk

* Until recently I thought that Qualms were a tropical fruit similar to mangos...

Nah! You're thinking of a kumsquat.......


Sh1t happens

[greenb]

Nice one thankyou

[Fred.]

Similar posts that might be helpful
http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/auto-lif...ets-69014.html


http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/life-jac...end-72205.html

[willk]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Nah! You're thinking of a kumsquat.......

I might be getting them mixed up with Foreign Climes!