Yes, well, I got my Crewsaver 9 litre thingy from Sailboats. I feel a bit like either Smith or Jones (remember them?) who didn't think much of flatpack furniture - 'I got it home in this box, and it said "self assembly" on the side. I put it on the floor, and watched it for half an hour, and it didn't do nothing. In the end I had to put it together myself'.
Now where did I get the idea that these mast floats were self-inflating, like a life jacket? Not this one anyway, just a tube to blow into with a (apparently fairly efficient) valve on the end. I sense the more worldly-wise of you falling about with laughter - 'what did you think you would get for that sort of money?' Well, frankly I think nearly £60 for a plain (admittedly fairly tough-looking) air sac, which my boat has to wear fully inflated (by me), is a rip-off.
I had a look to see if I could find a self-inflating add-on gadget with which to modify my brave new windbag, but no progress. Any ideas? Meanwhile, please do have a good old guffaw at my expense. And next time I fancy a jaunt in a F6, I might just grit my teeth, apologise to Cavatina, huff and puff, and send it aloft. Huh.
Michael