Lifebuoy helm cushion

[Bud Cary]

I have a white vinyl horseshoe shaped lifebuoy made by Forespar, with a separate insert for the inner space of the horseshoe, that also serves as a cushion when sitting at the helm. 

The vinyl is shot and the whole unit is ready to be tossed. I have contacted Forespar and waiting to hear back but in the meantime was wondering infanyone else had had one of these and what they might have done to replace it  

Thanks

Bud

S/V Pooh (J40 #82)

[Jim Bordeaux]

Local canvas guy made a cover using white Sunbrella.

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 18, 2026, at 3:24 PM, Bud Cary <afca...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Joe Murli]

I had my canvas guy make a new cover for mine 

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On Apr 18, 2026, at 10:09 PM, Jim Bordeaux <jim...@gmail.com> wrote:

Local canvas guy made a cover using white Sunbrella.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/j4x-owners-group/DA1467DD-386D-411D-95B8-F4051DA7C896%40gmail.com.

[Bud Cary]

Thanks for the suggestions … There are several close by I can try

 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/j4x-owners-group/1196105A-26EF-421D-B4C9-6D3D4F09DC57%40gmail.com.

[Wayne Cassady]

We added a water activated light to our life throw cushion. 

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On Apr 19, 2026, at 8:13 AM, Bud Cary <afca...@gmail.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/j4x-owners-group/LV3PR07MB10044CEC99E24170D4BA6A063FC2E2%40LV3PR07MB10044.namprd07.prod.outlook.com.

[York.richardw]

Putting on my Safety at Sea hat…

1.  I recommend replacing a life ring or horseshoe with a MOM8 or Johnbuoy inflating device.   When they hit the water, they inflate a horseshoe for the MOB to hold onto.  Maybe more importantly, they inflate a 6-foot tall pylon, marking the spot for the crew of the boat to see even in waves.  It has an automatic light for nighttime (see Wayne’s comment). 

You can get these at LRSE or Landfall Navigation, as well as other marine shops.  

https://www.landfallnavigation.com/jonbuoy-danbuoy-horseshoe-22.html

2.  When picking up an MOB we strongly recommend trying to pick them up using a Life Sling, circling your boat like picking up a water skier.  This means: you are much less likely to run over the MOB with your bow, you do not need precision steering - an average driver would do this easily, and once the MOB is attached to the boat with the Life Sling you have the hoisting device connected to them.

Both these products are required for coastal and offshore competition by U.S. Sailing and World Sailing.

I strongly recommend them both.

Thank You … Dick York 

J/46 ARAGORN

Chair, US Sailing Safety at Sea Committee 

On Apr 19, 2026, at 10:14, Wayne Cassady <wayne.c...@gmail.com> wrote:

We added a water activated light to our life throw cushion. 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/j4x-owners-group/97A2E8DE-D948-4203-A798-76E0393C733B%40gmail.com.

[Jim Bordeaux]

Of course.

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 19, 2026, at 5:22 PM, York.richardw <york.r...@gmail.com> wrote:



Putting on my Safety at Sea hat…

1.  I recommend replacing a life ring or horseshoe with a MOM8 or Johnbuoy inflating device.   When they hit the water, they inflate a horseshoe for the MOB to hold onto.  Maybe more importantly, they inflate a 6-foot tall pylon, marking the spot for the crew of the boat to see even in waves.  It has an automatic light for nighttime (see Wayne’s comment). 

You can get these at LRSE or Landfall Navigation, as well as other marine shops.  

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/j4x-owners-group/BC7299AA-2146-43E0-9F07-F9C88DEC4318%40gmail.com.

[Wayne Cassady]

Very important comments. Our Chicago to Mac races (as crew) include this mounted to the backstay. If thinking it may be more than necessary, we have lost and could not locate an overboard cushion on a moonlit night on a calm lake. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 19, 2026, at 6:38 PM, Jim Bordeaux <jim...@gmail.com> wrote:

Of course.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/j4x-owners-group/476BC743-9851-42D3-BD17-14E5FB08AD1A%40gmail.com.

[Dennis Boyd]

Yeah,   this is great advice.    My baseline on all safety gear and crew personal gear recommendations always link back to the most current Chicago Mac Safety Requirements.    

Section 3.7.2 is  Self Inflating MOB device.   Section 5.3.1 is Lifesling requirement.  

Big upgrade for us in this space is the AIS transponder requirments.    Give it a glace,  lots of good tips, even is just cruising. 

Dennis

J/42

Jaywalker #6