Which Life Jacket for float tubeing?

« **on:** 02/02/2009 at 17:58 »

Whats your recommendation on a life jacket and why that particular one

Mike I know you like the Snowbee one any comments

Dave

« **Reply #1 on:** 02/02/2009 at 18:32 »

Hi Dave

It is made for fishing, comfortable to wear ( you soon forget you have it on ) it allows you full movement, it is both automatic and manual, the harness system is just right, the rear section holds the collar away from your neck and stops any friction sores ....... and it is one of the highest spec available at 190 newtons.

By the way, don't listen to anybody that tells you not to get an auto one because it will go off when tubing cause it might get wet

If the water is far enough up your lifejacket to set it off ...... you are already in trouble

Best wishes
Mike

« **Reply #2 on:** 02/02/2009 at 18:47 »

Yes Mike i remember trying it on at haddo when you just got them and as you say i hardly knew i had it on albeit only for 5 mins.

Dave

« **Reply #3 on:** 02/02/2009 at 21:21 »

Manual or Automatic

I think auto would be best what do you think (open to everyone to comment)?

Dave

« **Reply #4 on:** 03/02/2009 at 17:36 »

Not so many moons ago most of us thought that auto lifejackets might go off if they got splashed ...... and of course we all kind of followed each other, as we do with many things in our sport.

The biggest problem when somebody gets in to trouble in the water is that they invariably panick, so having an auto/manual lifejacket is now deemed more sensible. I have yet to see anybody set an auto one off by mistake myself? To be totally honest, I think a few of the early tubers didn't trust an auto one to go off and they preferred the idea of feeling in control and being able to pull the cord of a manual one themselves

The only ones that might go off in a wet waves situation are those that haven't been designed for fishing. These tend to be a bit longer in the collar and therefore extend further down your body when seated, which can also prove uncomfortable?

Best wishes
Mike

« **Reply #5 on:** 03/02/2009 at 19:32 »

how much is the snowbee one Mike?

« **Reply #6 on:** 03/02/2009 at 19:40 »

Quote from: bigtroot on 03/02/2009 at 19:32

how much is the snowbee one Mike?

I can't remember offhand Baz, a bit dearer, I think they were about £89 or £90 last year?

Cheers
Mike

« **Reply #7 on:** 03/02/2009 at 19:41 »

My Jacket is an 'Englands' something or other, purchased from Somers for £55.00. It is both manual and Auto, which was not what I originaly wanted (I too had been reading other tubing discussions & thought that manual only was the norm.) but it was bought in a hurry and now I'm glad I did.
I've used it in a few chops and it's not given me any problems.

Depending on your fishing preferences you might find yourself using it in a boat, on the river, etc. where the auto feature might save your bacon, might also make you look a twat if you fall in but better that than brown bread.

Hope I never have to use it.

Dave, along the idea of your trying out a vest - my Tube (Shakey) has 5 bladders, 4 of which are inflated during normal operations ....I wonder how many and which ones I could lose and still be supported?

I'm off to the bath!

Iain

« **Reply #8 on:** 03/02/2009 at 19:46 »

Hi Iain

I did the test on the loch with a Sparton, I can fully deflate any one of the main 3 bladders while on the water and by adjusting the way I sit (and my weight) I could paddle back to shore and keep dry, apart from a bit of water up one sleeve.

Haven't tried it out in the middle of a big piece of water in a wave though

Cheers
Mike

« **Reply #9 on:** 03/02/2009 at 19:54 »

No you wouldn't want to experience that on a large water Mike, but it's good to know that there is that added bit of security in a multi bladdered Tube.

Iain

« **Reply #10 on:** 03/02/2009 at 19:59 »

Hi Iain

"Depending on your fishing preferences you might find yourself using it in a boat, on the river, etc. where the auto feature might save your bacon, might also make you look a twat if you fall in but better that than brown bread."

Spot on, excellent reply! Most of us don't bother buying a lifejacket for fishing the river and only use one at a fishery if it is compulsory

If you buy a good quality comfortable lifejacket for tubing, you are likely to put it to good use when wading rivers and out in boats ...... where it may well save your life one day!

Cheers
Mike

« **Reply #11 on:** 03/02/2009 at 20:47 »

Thats whay I'm thinking about getting one of the automatic waistcoat ones for river fishing, I know they do not provide the same bouyancy level as the better collar ones like the Snowbee but 190 newtons of bouyancy is no use sitting in the garage.

The point I'm trying to make is I'm much more likely to actually wear the waistcoat type when river fishing.

Jim

« **Reply #12 on:** 03/02/2009 at 20:56 »

Good point Jim

That makes total sense!

Best wishes
Mike

« **Reply #13 on:** 04/02/2009 at 18:19 »

I agree with Jim but would a waistcoat type be ok to wear in a tube?

Dave

« **Reply #14 on:** 04/02/2009 at 18:30 »

Dave

No I would say always wear a collar type in a tube.

Jim

« **Reply #15 on:** 04/02/2009 at 18:41 »

Your decision might also depend on how good a swimmer you are

If you don't swim ... go for the very best collar style jacket you can afford and make sure it's auto/manual

Best wishes
Mike

« **Reply #16 on:** 04/02/2009 at 22:07 »

Well i'm still siding with the snowbee so far

Dave

« **Reply #17 on:** 05/02/2009 at 17:41 »

Spoke to a guy today and he said that the auto ones are very easy to go off some even with rain.
Apparently they're operated by a block of salt that melts with water (i cant see it myself).
How do they operate?

Dave

« **Reply #18 on:** 05/02/2009 at 18:16 »

Quote from: dave23 on 05/02/2009 at 17:41

Spoke to a guy today and he said that the auto ones are very easy to go off some even with rain.
Apparently they're operated by a block of salt that melts with water (i cant see it myself).
How do they operate?

Dave

Salt

thats ridiculous , who tolds you that. The correct answer is there is a small pixie inside , when you fall in and he gets wet , he pulls the cord

Jim

« **Reply #19 on:** 05/02/2009 at 19:43 »

Quote from: dave23 on 05/02/2009 at 17:41

Spoke to a guy today and he said that the auto ones are very easy to go off some even with rain.
Apparently they're operated by a block of salt that melts with water (i cant see it myself).
How do they operate?

Dave

I'm sorry ..... I give up

« **Reply #20 on:** 05/02/2009 at 20:30 »

Quote from: bigtroot on 03/02/2009 at 19:32

how much is the snowbee one Mike?

Here you go Baz £79+ delivery or spend over £100 and free deliveryhttp://shop.treemeadow.co.uk/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=17&products_id=7811

Dave

« **Reply #21 on:** 05/02/2009 at 20:32 »

Quote from: Mike Barrio on 05/02/2009 at 19:43

I'm sorry ..... I give up

Thats what i though also, i guess he was trying to get rid of old manual stock.

Dave

« **Reply #22 on:** 06/02/2009 at 09:32 »

I'm a bit late in on this one

Heres a good link to look at, some good products, just watch the Newtons

http://shop.lifejackets.co.uk/acatalog/Lifejacket_Fishing_Angling_Lifejacket.html

Sandy

« **Reply #23 on:** 06/02/2009 at 09:38 »

Quote from: dave23 on 05/02/2009 at 20:30

Here you go Baz £79+ delivery or spend over £100 and free deliveryhttp://shop.treemeadow.co.uk/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=17&products_id=7811

Dave

Hi Dave
£79 + £6.95 delivery = £85.95 ........ I think I would rather give my local tackle shop £89

« **Reply #24 on:** 08/02/2009 at 19:27 »

Quote from: Mike Barrio on 06/02/2009 at 09:38

Hi Dave
£79 + £6.95 delivery = £85.95 ........ I think I would rather give my local tackle shop £89

I hear you Mike

Will have to see how the money funds are after April as we just bought a new caravan

Knew we shouldn't have went to the show

Dave

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