Spent several hours googling. All the way from $229 British
automatic inflatables (very cool) and knockoffs (Mustang) to $120
Lotus variants, to $100 Extras****t to Sterns and WestMarine at
considerably less.
We're doing J-24s, Rhodes 19s, and a 10' dink, the last with a ten
year old young lady.
I tried on both Lotus and Extras****t at Team One and explored the
West Marine offerings (Stearns and below). I tend to prefer the
front zip Extras****t VolkVest, but am tempted by the higher priced
"Mystique". Noticed somewhere that Lotus has acquired some kind of
cult standing - why? It has buckles on the shoulders, while
Extras****t does not, yet another snag point while tacking...
Any comments / recommendations on the above for these applications?
The lady at Team One said it is pretty much a matter of taste, but I
have not yet acquired a taste... :-) Presumably the first thing is
that it will keep your head above water if you turn turtle...
Cheers, Thanks in advance.
Andy
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