SHETLAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION

Can anybody recommend decent life jackets for me, the other half and two kids? oh, and a dog?!

No idea what's good and how much I should spend.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

Daniel

The best place for life jackets is here. http://www.lifejackets.co.uk/categories. we bought all 4 of ours from them

If you are going to do coastal sailing, you will need a minimum of a 150 N automatic jacket with crotch strap. Never buy manual, pulling a rip cord in an emergancy is just one more thing to remember. Inland you can get away with boyancy aids but a lightweight lifejacket is more comfortable and easier to stow.

With children, it depends on their age and weight, the most important thing is to get a jacket that has a high collar that will turn them face up in the water

The best dog jacket we bought has a neoprene under belly strap, more comfortable if you have to haul mutt out,as we have on a couple of occasions. look on ebay
This is the same as ours. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dog-Life-Jack ... 613wt_1156

Remember to test and service your jackets at the end of the season

admin wrote:The best place for life jackets is here. http://www.lifejackets.co.uk/categories. we bought all 4 of ours from them

If you are going to do coastal sailing, you will need a minimum of a 150 N automatic jacket with crotch strap. Never buy manual, pulling a rip cord in an emergancy is just one more thing to remember. Inland you can get away with boyancy aids but a lightweight lifejacket is more comfortable and easier to stow.

With children, it depends on their age and weight, the most important thing is to get a jacket that has a high collar that will turn them face up in the water

The best dog jacket we bought has a neoprene under belly strap, more comfortable if you have to haul mutt out,as we have on a couple of occasions. look on ebay
This is the same as ours. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dog-Life-Jack ... 613wt_1156

Remember to test and service your jackets at the end of the season

Automatic definitely yes, I would add with a manual rip cord as well (not sure if that is standard). Just in case you are sinking slowly you can pull cord and if it doesn't work you may have time to make alternative "arrangements"

I carry a couple of spare lifejackets, as these can connected together to make a float people can hang on to, or connect your emergancy grab bag. If you are planning to boat at night you can pick up small clip on strobe lights that are activated by water (only a couple of quid on ebay - mainly used by divers)

Hi

your other option is to call the RNLI as they offer free great advice and will do a free check so we take our down to the boat shows every year and get this done.