SHAKESPEARE NAVIGATOR FLOTATION SUIT
 

I love my new “Shakespeare Navigator” flotation suit, it is excellent and I recommend it to all sea anglers without hesitation.  It represents great value and appears particularly well made.  The seams are internally reinforced and waterproofed.  There are no loose threads apparent; great care has evidently been taken in its manufacture.

The two-piece suit is made from a durable waterproof nylon fabric.  It is so much more convenient and comfortable than the one piece suit I have used for several past years.  You can wear the jacket on its own, or on a warmer day, you can dispense with the jacket but still wear the trousers to keep fish slime off your own clothes.

I feel obliged to emphasise that this is not considered good practice and it is certainly not recommended for complete protection.  Proper flotation depends on the thin layers of buoyant closed cell foam which on this suit is contained in both the jacket and trousers.

Thermal protection for all two piece flotation suits, while the wearer is immersed in cold water, relies on the suit being worn with the jacket closed and trousers on.  The belt on the jacket and the cuffs on the sleeves, together with the adjustable straps on the ankles should be done up reasonably tight to slow down the ingress of cold water and help to conserve body temperature for as long as possible.

This suit is one of the very few to have flotation in the trousers as well as the jacket.  The thin closed cell foam which is used in my new Shakespeare suit does not make either the jacket or trousers excessively bulky.  Our bodies consist largely of water although our bone structure is not neutrally buoyant.  A 14 stone man weighs about 4 Kg in water.  The Shakespeare suit contains about 6 Kg of flotation which more than adequately supports the largest body when fully immersed.  In recent tests, Shakespeare flotation suits kept a victim floating on his back while simulating unconsciousness.

The nylon webbing shoulder straps on the trousers really do keep them up, far better than any I have ever used before.  Some other makes are fitted with elasticated straps which always seem to go soft and become over-stretched in a very short time.

I could go on at length to describe the detachable draw string hood; the high padded collar; the safety whistle contained in a breast pocket; the generous size of the multiple pockets; my suit is smart and easily visible without appearing garish in black with a bright yellow yoke across the shoulders; plus, the fluorescent strips fitted to reflect light in darkness do make the wearer more easily visible.

I would buy this suit just for the waterproof zipped carrying bag which keeps everything clean and neatly stored during those journeys to and from your own sea angling adventures.  All the features are well thought out and enhance the safety of the wearer.  It meets and exceeds all the relevant standards for such essential safety apparel.  It does everything it says on the packet!

Whether you fish from the beach; from slippery rock marks; or from boat, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to ensure you are safe.  Buy yourself a good quality flotation suit and wear it whenever appropriate.  The “Shakespeare Navigator” range of two piece flotation suits are at the forefront of the very best available.

With a recommended retail price of £180 they are a very worthwhile investment and could save your life.  Ask at your local tackle shop.  You may be able to negotiate a bargain.

(c) Mike Concannon 20th June 2004