Hello all!

My wife and I boat fish on some big wild n windy Lochs in the Outer Hebrides each year and we've decided to acquire our own life jackets/ buoyancy aids. It seems a bit hit n miss relying on having these provided at the various places where we fish - sometimes there aren't any.

Any advice from seasoned boat fishers, around where best to source these items and pros/ cons of lifejackets v. buoyancy aids? Would be interested to benefit from your experiences.

Thanks in advance


Tony

I have an Airflo Wavehopper. Its a fly vest and life jacket combined. They are cormfortable and easy to wear.They come in manual and auto versions. Fishtec is prob the best place to purchase

Get a Life Jacket. and Unless your buying a specialist fishing waistcoat.buy from ships chandlers, a lot cheaper.
It's up to you whether you buy auto or manual. I do a fair bit of wading so have a automatic that I have disabled to make it a manual,(i can always return it to auto)

Marine electronics, safety equipment, binoculars and boating accessories - allGadgets Marine

Jim

__________________
The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

A lifejacket worn the proper way should turn you round face up in you get knocked out falling into the water, it won't protect you from the cold though. Flotation suits will keep you afloat should you fall in but will not turn you face up if unconcious also it will let the elements (cold water) in. A all in one will probably keep essential bits dry in the water for a xx amount of time, but not turn you face up if unconcious. Both 2 pce and all in one suits will keep you warm in the coldest of days. Survival suits will keep the water out and keep you dry, probably more expensive too but how much do you value life.

All the above might seem like overkill but the areas your are fishing as you say wild and windy, probably desolate too, I'm sure help is more than just a few yards away, so you could be in the water a while..

I have a Fladen Recue system 2 pice suit for sea fishing (Which I don't do anymore) I've seen me on a beach or harbour wall in the depths of winter in a howling gale snug as a bug in a rug and dry while others in designer name waterproofs were frozen. Fladen was my best buy ever.
Whatever you get make sure it complies with current EN and ISO regulations.

You might find this short read interesting Click Here

I have one of these as well. You need to be aware its not actually a life jacket, its a buoyancy aid rated for 120N. Basically if you end up in deep water far from shore fully clothed wearing one it alone wont keep you afloat.
I use mine for wading the river, for boat fishing I use a lifejacket rated for 150N.

Yep, Make sure you understand the difference between a lifejacket and a buoyancy aid before you make your choice. Also got to agree with previous poster, go to a chandler or commercial fisherman's supplier to buy as they tend to know a fair bit about their products and are usually much cheaper than angling stores.

Whatever you go for, make sure it's comfortable. It's not gonna be any use at the bottom of the boat.

This is a complicated game.
Basic choice is between:
The 150N CO2 inflated collar type - A lifejacket capable of keeping an unconscious victim face up - these need a supply of cylinders and trigger units.

And the 50N Buoyancy Aid - simple foam filled device with no user replaceable parts.

Remember that being immersed in cold water is a death sentence if you can't get out of the water.

The crux question is "What happens after you hit the water?".
If the answer is "The safety boat comes and recovers me back into the boat" or "My big strong buddy lifts me back into the boat" - then the comfortable convenient 150N jacket is a common choice.
O.T.O.H. when the answer is - "I swim back to the boat and climb in" - then I would want the 50N type.
If you cannot chin a bar, you can forget climbing back into a boat unaided while wearing an inflated lifejacket.

You pays your money and takes your choice.

__________________
Plusnet/Madasafish > Liars to the internet community

When you do get an inflatable life jacket be aware that the cylinder and firing capsule have a limited life - usually 3 years. I recently shared a boat with someone wearing a life jacket where these were 5 years out of date. He had no idea that the equipment had a limited life. I wouldn't have liked to have to rely on it to save my life. It is worth checking the remaining life if you buy your life jacket from a small shop with limited turnover as it may have a short remaining life
Bill

__________________
Handeman

As always Jim is speaking a lot of sense . I got mine from an online chandlers for £35. No different from ones retailing for £55 in the fishing mags.