Boating – June 2019

(C. Jardin) #1
50 | BOATINGMAG.COM | JUNE 2019

BOAT DOCTOR ///WHAT TO LOOK FOR

FIRST THINGS FIRST: FIT
Watersports life jackets are dif-
ferent from the traditional or
common boating life jackets,
mainly due to their fi t. Cut
with larger armholes
and less fl otation in
the neck and shoul-
ders, watersports
jackets allow for
more move-
ment. Buckles
(and in many in-
stances, zippers)
help secure the
jacket in front of the
user. While not guar-
anteed to fl oat users face-up in
the event of an emergency, U.S.
Coast Guard-approved ver-
sions keep you afl oat, even with
skis or a wakeboard attached to
your feet. When participating
in towed watersports, you’ll

be much more comfortable
(and confi dent) wearing a wa-
tersports life jacket that fi ts
properly.

NYLON Nylon jackets
will save you some dough,
but (in the opinion of our pro

segmentation, which allows
for great fl exibility and range
of motion. In general, life jack-
ets with more anatomical cuts
and segmentation will cost
more money. Advanced fea-
tures in high-end neoprene
vests include faster-drying ma-
terials, less-absorbent foams,
sturdy zippers, integrated belt
buckles, lumbar pads/support,
stronger stitching and more.
O’Neill, for example, long
heralded as a pioneer in

watersports co-workers) are
much more restrictive because
they are created with larger
blocks of foam, as opposed to
segmented neoprene
jackets. Plus, they’re
not as comfortable
as their neoprene
counterparts.
However, if
you’re looking
to stock your
boat with sev-
eral sizes of
versatile water-
sports-style jack-
ets that a variety of
friends and family can wear,
the nylon route is a good way
to go. The strap-and-buckle
system allows them to fi t more
users, and you won’t be as wor-
ried about the jackets getting
beat up.

NEOPRENE Most neo-
prene jackets have zippers and
built-in strap systems, mak-
ing the fi t less adjustable than
other jackets. Where neoprene
diff ers most from nylon is
comfort and maneuverability.
Neoprene vests feature more

wetsuits, also makes top-of-
the-line watersports life jack-
ets. Its proprietary Nytrolite
foam is a low-density polyeth-
ylene that is expanded using
nitrogen. This makes it much
lighter than traditional PVC
foam while the closed-cell
structure prevents it from
absorbing as much water as
traditional foam materials.

WATERSPORTS


LIFE JACKETS


PH

OT

OS

:^ (F

RO

M^ T

OP

)^ CO

UR

TE

SY^

O’N

EIL

L^ (^2

),^ C

OU

RT

ES

Y^ O

’BR

IEN

,^ CO

UR

TE

SY^

RO

NIX

So, you’re getting into the world of towed watersports—a
whole smorgasbord of activities to add to your boating fun.
That means a lot of new equipment envy—and purchases—are
in your future. The most important? Life jackets. As they say,
danger never takes a vacation, so safety shouldn’t either. Here
are some key aspects that set watersports life jackets apart from
general-purpose versions, and what to look for when making a
purchase. —Garrett Cortese

TIP


More buckles may provide more security for a
nylon life vest, especially at higher wakeboarding
and skiing speeds. But due to anatomical reasons,
four-buckle vests usually get designated as mens,
while three-buckle vests may offer more comfort
for women engaged in watersports. Comp, or competition, life
jackets are still common in
the watersports world, but not
as popular as they once were.
These thinner, lighter jackets
are not U.S. Coast Guard-
approved and have much less
fl otation. They are designed for
use in competitive scenarios
where they will be worn by
trained athletes, and profes-
sionals are in position should a
water rescue be necessary.

COMP LIFE


JACKETS

Free download pdf