MacGregorSailors.com

Just an FYI, WM has autoinflating PFD's on sale for $60 thru June 10

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mari ... -N/A-_-N/A

I have zero financial interest in this. Just sayn'

Thanks, I got one because I couldn't find my old one

And free shipping! Thanks for the tip. I just bought two. Last two I bought set me back $89 a piece.

npsrangerchuck wrote:And free shipping! Thanks for the tip. I just bought two. Last two I bought set me back $89 a piece.

This is a great price. I bought one on sale at the end of last season for my youngest son for $99.

Jeff

Ditto. And I thought $89 was a pretty good price.

npsrangerchuck wrote:And free shipping! Thanks for the tip. I just bought two. Last two I bought set me back $89 a piece.

bought 2 this morning.

Auto inflater's are wonderfull, that's what I have on Nice Aft. Be aware though, about every three years you need to replace the auto inflater's. There are kits available. This is the disadvantage of buying this type of PFD. Every three years or so, you plunk down about twenty bucks per device to keep everything up to snuff.

These devices are the most comfortable to wear.

Ray

Nice point. I think the ad says the service life is two (2) years. Cheap for saving your life.

NiceAft wrote:Auto inflater's are wonderfull, that's what I have on Nice Aft. Be aware though, about every three years you need to replace the auto inflater's. There are kits available. This is the disadvantage of buying this type of PFD. Every three years or so, you plunk down about twenty bucks per device to keep everything up to snuff.

These devices are the most comfortable to wear.

Ray

dlandersson wrote:Nice point. I think the ad says the service life is two (2) years. Cheap for saving your life.

NiceAft wrote:Auto inflater's are wonderfull, that's what I have on Nice Aft. Be aware though, about every three years you need to replace the auto inflater's. There are kits available. This is the disadvantage of buying this type of PFD. Every three years or so, you plunk down about twenty bucks per device to keep everything up to snuff.

These devices are the most comfortable to wear.

My autoinflater autoinflated over the winter one year. The bobbin was too old, and moisture eventually weakened it enough that it let go. Just as well, I suppose, as it could have inflated at a bad time. Like when I'm wearing it but high and dry on deck, doing something requiring concentration. [Gomer Pyle voice] Surprise, surprise, surprise.

Yeah, I had one deploy this last winter - kids were playing around. All I got was "not me" and "I dunno".

The good news is that is worked.

The second good news, installing a replacment wasn't hard - nice skill to practice.

Tomfoolery wrote:

dlandersson wrote:Nice point. I think the ad says the service life is two (2) years. Cheap for saving your life.

NiceAft wrote:Auto inflater's are wonderfull, that's what I have on Nice Aft. Be aware though, about every three years you need to replace the auto inflater's. There are kits available. This is the disadvantage of buying this type of PFD. Every three years or so, you plunk down about twenty bucks per device to keep everything up to snuff.

These devices are the most comfortable to wear.

My autoinflater autoinflated over the winter one year. The bobbin was too old, and moisture eventually weakened it enough that it let go. Just as well, I suppose, as it could have inflated at a bad time. Like when I'm wearing it but high and dry on deck, doing something requiring concentration. [Gomer Pyle voice] Surprise, surprise, surprise.

When I first purchased mine, I decided to test exactly how long it takes to auto inflate. There is a rip cord for manual, but if someone is unconscious when they hit the water, will they get water in their lungs. I jumped in a lake, and held my breath. It worked, but an unconscious person will be under water for several seconds.

Two years ago, the Admiral and I took a sail in our 14' Phantom sailboat. I was a little rusty since I had not sailed it since owning the 26' . Needles to say, I turtled it. The two of us went into the drink. While we were both treading water, and laughing, POP, the vests inflated. I just want to inform you that the “auto inflation” may not be as rapid as you imagine it to be.

Ray

When one of my cartridges expired I fired it to see how long they last inflated without intervention.

Answer: 7 days. Long enough for me. In Cape Cod, after 3 days you are GWS chum anyway.