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DOCKSIDE REPORT Magazine . . . . . Dockside Test
By John Barr We must all keep in mind that water, the main ingredient that makes our sport so wonderful, is also a silent killer. It does not discriminate between young or old, big or small, the fit or the couch potato. Water can give life or take it. There’s one fact that we as sailors must always be cognizant of: bodies as a rule do not float, for long that is, without some kind of help. The Facts Mother of Invention In November of 1982 a young fisherman working on the deck of a 100’ crabber in the Bering Sea was washed overboard. That fisherman is Mike Jackson, the founder of Stormy Seas flotation products. His recovery from those "stormy seas" was nothing less than a miracle considering that he was not wearing a lifejacket at the time. Stormy Seas lifejackets and vests are the end result of this near tragedy. Stormy Seas has a variety of inflatable jackets and vests to meet all of your on the water activities. In our case the subject of our test was the V200 Vest. The V200 features a machine washable tightly woven wind and water resistant Taslan Nylon shell and is lined with soft, quick drying polyester fleece which provides excellent insulation without the weight. The vest has zippered side pockets to warm your hands and keep necessary items safe and handy. There is an inside pocket that is large enough for a handheld VHF radio or flashlight. The heart of this vest is an inflatable flotation chamber that is manufactured of a 200 Denier Nylon and coated with a urethane to make it 100 percent air holding. This is the same material used in life vests for both civilian and military aviation. All components such as valves and cylinders are made of non-corrosive metals of high strength plastic and nylon, and are designed for prolonged use in the harsh marine environment. Thar She Blows Stormy Seas uses a manual CO2 inflation system or an optional water active (auto) CO2 system. In discussing the merits of both systems with the designers at Stormy Seas, they stated that most boaters prefer the manual system because it allows them the additional safety of being able to get away from objects or capsized vessels under water before they inflate the vest. Furthermore, the manual system allows more flexibility in a situation where you must enter the water to rescue a crew member. Acid Test During our testing we experienced that the V200 when fully inflated had a natural tendency to turn most adults from a face down position to a vertical position with their nose and mouth clear of the water. The flotation chamber is fully removable allowing the vest to be washed conventionally. My vest which is worn during all on-water testing, has traveled from coast to coast stuffed in a duffel bag, and washed several times, still looks as good as new, attesting to the quality of the materials and workmanship. The Stormy Seas V200 vest is one piece of safety equipment that I have come to rely on and recommend to anyone who feels they don’t need to wear a vest. Reprinted From: Dockside Magazine, May 1998 |
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