Spent several hours googling. All the way from $229 British
automatic inflatables (very cool) and knockoffs (Mustang) to $120
Lotus variants, to $100 Extrasport to Sterns and WestMarine at
considerably less.

We're doing J-24s, Rhodes 19s, and a 10' dink, the last with a ten
year old young lady.

I tried on both Lotus and Extrasport at Team One and explored the
West Marine offerings (Stearns and below). I tend to prefer the
front zip Extrasport VolkVest, but am tempted by the higher priced
"Mystique". Noticed somewhere that Lotus has acquired some kind of
cult standing - why? It has buckles on the shoulders, while
Extrasport does not, yet another snag point while tacking...

Any comments / recommendations on the above for these applications?
The lady at Team One said it is pretty much a matter of taste, but I
have not yet acquired a taste... :-) Presumably the first thing is
that it will keep your head above water if you turn turtle...

Cheers, Thanks in advance.

Andy