Life Jackets – How Much Does Safety Cost?

/ Ben Starling

Crewsaver Crewfit 150N Life Jacket

 

So how much do life jackets cost? 
This short survey samples prices on both sides of the pond, the US and the UK. 

The prices quoted below for life jackets are for offshore sailing (unless noted otherwise). 

These are the prices I could find today at the websites of major chandleries. Of course prices change all the time and brilliant seasonal sales timing and scouring of bargains can totally change the price-value landscape here. 

Since sales tax varies by state in the US (from 0% to 7.25%), sales taxes for the US prices are not included. 

However, for the UK prices, VAT is included already in the price. (VAT in the UK is 20%. But if you buy in the UK and then export to your country of residence, you can claim this back.) 

This is just a baseline price trawl for rough budget estimating purposes. 

Here we go… 

Some Ballpark Price Checks in the USA 

westmarine.com 

  • Mustang Survival Automatic Deluxe with Sailing Harness $309.99 (£198)
  • Ocean Series Hydrostatic Inflatable Life Vests $299.99 (£192)
  • Offshore Automatic Inflatable Life Vests $179.99 (£115)
  • STOHLQUIST Rocker Life Vest (for day sailing only) $129.99 (£83)
  • MTI Adventurewear underDOG Pet Vest $39.99 (£26)
  • West Marine Deluxe Pet Vests $24.99 (£16) 

Defender.com 

    • Revere ComfortMax Plus Inflatable PFD with Sailing Harness $211.59 (£135)
    • Mustang Commercial / Work Inflatable PFD $220.79 (£141) 

    BoatersWorld.com 

      • First Watch WaveBarrier Inflatable Universal Fit $180.94 (£116)
      • Mustang Deluxe Auto Hydrostatic Inflatable With Harness: Universal $279.99 (£179)
      • Mustang Inflatable Collar PFD: Universal $167.28 (£107) 

      Some Ballpark Price Checks in the UK

      Helly Hansen (http://shop.hellyhansen.com/GB) 
      • Inflatable inshore £115 ($180)
      • Crotch Strap £10 ($16) 

      sailingclothingstore.co.uk 

        • Baltic Race 150N Auto/Harness Lifejacket £179.95 (inc VAT) ($282)
        • Kru Sport Pro 175N Automatic With Harness £149.95 (inc VAT) ($235)
        • Crewsaver Crewfit 275N Automatic Lifejacket £147.50 (inc VAT) ($231)
        • Crewsaver Crewfit 150N Hammar Auto & Harness £139.95 (inc VAT) ($219)
        • Seago Automatic Standard 275N £89.95 (inc VAT) ($141)
        • Crewsaver Petfloat (2370) £39.95 (inc VAT) ($63) 

        force4.co.uk 

          • Crewsaver Crewfit 275 Lifejacket Hammar Auto + Harness £159.95 inc. VAT ($250)
          • Seago 180 Classic Manual Lifejacket with Harness £55.95 ($88) 

          marinesuperstore.com 

            • Crewsaver Crewfit 290N Lifejackets Plus auto & Harness £249.95 inc. VAT ($391)
            • Crewsaver Crewfit 190N Zip Plus Lifejacket & Harness £149.95 inc. VAT ($235)
            • Crewsaver Crewfit 150N Life Jacket Hydro & Harness £109.95 inc. VAT ($172)
            • Crewsaver B/AID PET Cat £27.50 inc. VAT ($43) 

            oceanleisure.co.uk 

              • Crewsaver Crewfit 190N Zipped Lifejacket With Harness £187.50 ($294)
              • Crewsaver Crewfit 150N Plus Harness £182.95 ($286) 

              Observed 

                • Harness, crotch straps, jack lines, lights, spray hood etc – not optional extras. Some models include them, some don’t and you have to buy them as extras. These keep you strapped to the boat (and/or as visible as possible in the water). Of course, you’re gonna want to stack the odds as far as possible in your favour.
                • West Marine has a helpful ‘How to Choose the Right Life Jacket’ video here .
                • A useful list: Top 10 US Boat stores/chandleries online
                • Not so many life jacket options for cats in the UK.
                • More choice available for cats in the US. 
                USA/UK price comparison 

                  Hard to compare pricing as it looks like different brands are sold on each side of the pond. And each design/brand has a different mix of bells and whistles offered. 

                  Roughly eyeballing it though, it looks like prices are better in the US for life jackets – possibly driven largely by exchange rates. Any advantage in buying in the US, however, could be wiped out by a really good sale at a UK chandlery. And visa versa. 

                  However, using UK pounds sterling to buy in the US is certainly something for the über-shopper to consider. Especially if they are planning a trip to the States anyways. 

                  Where did you buy your life jacket? Would you buy it there again? Any recommendations for good price-value brands? 

                  –Captain Cat 

                  (transcribed by the Can Opener) 

                  Safety Gear 
                  Next: Sailing Boots – Dubarry or not? 
                  Previously: Life Jackets – Safety Gear Upgrades

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