whats a legal life jacket.

[tborisch]

I was wondering if the Capsule Jacket that i used to wear racing inboard would be a legal jacket for outboard? it's actually a capsule jacket/suit from Lifeline.

i know i need kevlars, but is the jacket ok?

Tom

[Andrew 4CE]

A capsule jacket is not legal. It doesn't have enough floatation in it. It's made to let a driver swim out of a cockpit upside down and under water and only be used if the driver is seat belted in the boat.

Sorry.

[seanp3]

Get ahold of Pat Gleason of SRP. He's a sponsor of Hydro Racer. He'll tell you what you need

patrickgl@msn.com

[sponsonhead]

Check the rating

Tom,

Look at the manufacturer's certification tag in the jacket. Most inboard capsule suits are a "B" or "C" rating, which is NOT legal in a laydown or kneeldown (non restrained driver) outboard. For these classes, you need an "A" or an "A-100" rating.

Without seeing the jacket I can't tell you if it's legal for sure, but my guess is that it's probaly not.

Thanks,

Patrick Gleason
R-19

[tborisch]

Hi Patrick,

My jacket says "APBA / A-100". Does that say anything? It's a lifeline jacket.

Tom

[Joe J]

According the APBA General Racing rule #3, a jacket marked A-100 is approved for an open cockpit boat, going up to and over 100mph.

Joe

Hi Patrick,

My jacket says "APBA / A-100". Does that say anything? It's a lifeline jacket.

Tom

[tborisch]

Great!

I'm glad i don't have to try and buy a new jacket!!

Tom

[hydroplay]

Andrew is incorrect about floatation requirements. There are no specific requirements for either maximum or minimum flotation for racing life jackets.

[tborisch]

?

So am i correct in thinking that if my jacket says "APBA / A-100" on the cert tag, I will be legal?

Tom

[racer121M]

Tom...according to my reading of the rule book you are good to go with that lifejacket.

Bob

[sponsonhead]

That would be a big Yes

So am i correct in thinking that if my jacket says "APBA / A-100" on the cert tag, I will be legal?

Tom

Yep.

R-19

[Tomtall]

Just the facts

Andrew is correct on this one guys.The following is straight from "Lifelines" web site.

NOTE: Race boats equipped with capsule and restraint systems require a special Racing Jacket with less flotation, while retaining the attention to quality and strength incorporated in all LIFELINE Racing Jacket designs.

WARNING: LIFELINE CAPSULE PANTS/JACKET and FLOTATION SUITS are to be used only in boats equipped with an Approved Capsule and Restraint System.

Personel Note - These jackets will not keep you floating face up as the full vest jackets will.

[hydroplay]

Again, for those who believe otherwise, APBA rules do NOT have any minimum floatation requirements! See General Safety Rule #3, (B), page General Racing Rules, page RR-ii.

An individual manufacturer may have recommendations for his products but those recommendations are not APBA rules.

[Andrew 4CE]

I stand corrected... I guess it is legal... but I wouldn't wear it if it is truely a capsule jacket.

Again, for those who believe otherwise, APBA rules do NOT have any minimum floatation requirements! See General Safety Rule #3, (B), page General Racing Rules, page RR-ii.

An individual manufacturer may have recommendations for his products but those recommendations are not APBA rules.

[tborisch]

Wow, I didn't mean to open a can of worms.. it's stuff like this that get rules that are fine they way they are, changed into a big nightmare..

My jackets for sale.. Looking for a Outboard jacket now

Thanks,
Tom