Life-jacket Manual Conversion query

No, ergs don't yet float, but some of us do, and here's where you get to discuss that other form of rowing.
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Noseve
Paddler
Posts: 31
Joined: June 11th, 2019, 1:53 am
Location: Southampton, UK

Life-jacket Manual Conversion query

Post by Noseve » August 10th, 2019, 10:45 am

Hi All,
I have a Crewsaver Crewfit 165N Sport automatic life-jacket, which as far as I can make out has the identical automatic UML-5 firing mechanism to the Spinlock DeskVest Lite. The latter has available an easily reversible manual conversion 'kit' (essentially, it's a plastic bottle top, with a green reminder tag for about £9!).
There is no equivalent kit marketed for my Crewsaver, but surely the spinlock kit would work exactly as designed? Or any blank with a proper seal? Obviously, bearing in mind the subject matter, I'm not going to simply try it, but I have searched the net and spoken to numerous chandleries, none of whom have apparently ever come across anybody trying this.
All thoughts welcome, but please note that this is a specific query, and suggested workarounds are not what I'm after. I'm thinking of wasting a couple of re-arm kits to test it, but thought that I'd try here first. The life-jacket is so comfortable, which is why I don't want to change to the spinlock. Thanks.
170lbs, 5ft 11in, 57 years old - C2 purchased June 2019

Noseve
Paddler
Posts: 31
Joined: June 11th, 2019, 1:53 am
Location: Southampton, UK

Re: Life-jacket Manual Conversion query

Post by Noseve » August 21st, 2019, 4:42 am

I thought that I had closed this earlier. Almost as soon as I posted, I received confirmation that - of course - the Spinlock kit will be fine for my jacket.
170lbs, 5ft 11in, 57 years old - C2 purchased June 2019

Beac
Paddler
Posts: 1
Joined: October 15th, 2019, 4:43 am
Location: Boston

Re: Life-jacket Manual Conversion query

Post by Beac » October 15th, 2019, 7:45 am

I am looking to update/upgrade my life jacket. I am 6'0, 235lbs and would love to get a jacket for my size that does not feel overly big. My current Ronix jacket fits great, but feels oversized...if that makes any sense. I don't have much experience with shopping jackets, but something a little more low profile would be perfect.

I am Slalom and Surf and am learning to Wakeboard. Any recommendations?

Noseve
Paddler
Posts: 31
Joined: June 11th, 2019, 1:53 am
Location: Southampton, UK

Re: Life-jacket Manual Conversion query

Post by Noseve » October 15th, 2019, 5:50 pm

Well this Crewsaver Crewfit 165N Sport is the first lifejacket that I have ever worn. It is really comfortable, and not restrictive in any way. I have just rowed 21 miles up the Thames in it, and hardly noticed that it was on.
Worth checking out.
170lbs, 5ft 11in, 57 years old - C2 purchased June 2019

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