Just picked up a Prolimit weight jacket from WA Surf size L. $219

Posted this as I know other people have been trying to get one and Phil (new Mandurah mobber)has a few more
http://www.wasurf.com.au/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=54_61_79&products_id=439

Has two zipped pouches.
One on the chest divided(horizontally) in two (top bottom section) with a zip vertical. One across the shoulders (horizontal zip) on the back with a vertical velcro divider. and a large waist belt to hold in place. Front sits well clear of a harness hook.
I will try and take some photos to make it clearer.
I know from other threads that some use plate lead and others bags.

Any feedback pros or cons greatly appreciated and how best to distribute the weight?

Just been out looking at the possibilities for weight. Bunnings roll of 15kg/m2 sheet (appx 6.75 Kg) $70. Dive shop 2 2/3 kg blocks $20. Was told shot pouches are much more expensive.
Photos of the vest

so that jacker gets filled with water right??? wouldnt want it filled with lead .... does it double as a life jacket?

Question. I believe ppl use lead for ballast in their weight jacket, so I assume, for arguments sake, say you have 6kg ballast then you require approx 6 litres of bouyancy to become neutral when your in the water, and the more ballast the more bouyancy and the more bulk. So if you were to carry the ballast as water you naturally become neutral in the water with less bulk because your not carrying the lead. Or do you just use lead ballast and not worry about bouyancy?

I haven't got round to putting lead sheet in my weight jacket yet, but all the recommendations I've seen is to have positive or at least neutral, buoyancy.
And most people use lead, I've wondered about the water thing myself, a bladder all the way round the jacket would add a bit of impact cushioning, and give neutral buoyancy automatically.

However if you think about floating around in the water unconscious, it's good to have the floatation high on the chest to keep your head out of water, so you could have lead low down on your back and the float high in front.

The higher the weight is the more leverage it has over the sail, but the more strain on the arms. The closer to the harness the weight is the less strain on the arms.

A 3L camel pack gives you 6.6lb of extra weight has neutral bouyancy and is damn nice to have when you are going for 1 hrs

Dive shops have little weight packs of various sizes and shapes (not just the old cast jobbies)

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elmo said...

A 3L camel pack gives you 6.6lb of extra weight has neutral bouyancy and is damn nice to have when you are going for 1 hrs

Dive shops have little weight packs of various sizes and shapes (not just the old cast jobbies)

The camelpack is a good option.
You have the weight high up for good leverage & can easily move it down by simply having a drink
If you want to move it further down you can move to your ankles if you have a tight fitting wettie

Update. Put 5kg of lead plate in and tested. Definitely positively buoyant. Maybe another 3kg? Not windy enough to try.

You're going to rocket now Lao, I'm going to have to convince my self to add weight to my jacket, otherwise I'll be lost in your wake.

Some of us don't need weight jackets

Was your jacket sold as a "weight" jacket or impact vest? i've just purchased the same weight jacket going to carry 6kg to see what it's like that will take my weight up to 110kg.

Seems to be called different things in different places. Mine was called "crash vest". Mine will take me to 83kg when dripping wet. Need to eat more pies.

I'm sure Choco has a secret recipe that he will share with you for a few $$

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S018 said...

I'm sure Choco has a secret recipe that he will share with you for a few $$

Used the weight jacket today with 3kg in it wind wasn't that strong 15-20knts 6.2m Manta 67, haven't used a weight jacket in over 20 years.
Having just 3kg changed the dynamics of my setup completely!! even being 100kg i would still bounce around in the chop but with the jacket on it felt like i was sailing in flat water, off the wind through the chop my gear was rock solid and i had the confidence to push harder,if your into speed sailing get one!!!

Can someone tell me who sells a water filled weight jacket [not camel pack]from memory some of the boggy lake crew were using them a couple of years back. ELMO That's about 3 kg do you wear it with a buoyancy vest [under or over]

use the mrs macs 'belt' to get the centre of gravity a bit lower.

Having now sailed with 5kg in the jacket I definitely agree with Choco. Makes the chop far more manageable. Also had a big off at speed trying to alpha and I didn't feel that the crash was any worse for the extra weight. Certainly feel the increased workout but definitely worth getting.

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lao shi said...

Having now sailed with 5kg in the jacket I definitely agree with Choco. Makes the chop far more manageable. Also had a big off at speed trying to alpha and I didn't feel that the crash was any worse for the extra weight. Certainly feel the increased workout but definitely worth getting.

Have u tht about getting more weight the fun way, eating lots of hamburgers and pizza's?

I certainly didn't manage to do that on the road trip. Nebbs kept trying to starve me!!

I think my road trip companion put on weight You were in the wrong camp Mark

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lao shi said...

I certainly didn't manage to do that on the road trip. Nebbs kept trying to starve me!!

How Lao can eat that much and not look like the michelin man is beyond me...

"Hey put in the rest of the packet"

"Ha ha yeah good one"

"No, really, I'll eat all that pasta"

"You're a funny guy... What? You really are serious aren't you?"

And he did eat all that pasta. I wish I had that sort of metabolism.

Definitely in the wrong camp, I think I almost demolished $70 worth of meat alone.
It was all very good stuff tho, some waigu and then followed chilli sausages and .....
Makes me hungry again thinking about it.
Oh and I came back lighter and still no weight belt required.