- Status
- Jan 22, 2008
- 519
I have a zip up vest with pockets...
in which I keep such useful things as my keys, gloves, heaving line, and strapped to the PFD is a sheepfoot point rescue knife in a sheath. This type of blade can be inserted between the skin and a rope tangled around your foot, leg, wrist, and cuts outward with a serrated 2 1/2" blade, without cutting you. As well, my zipper toggle is a Fox 40 whistle. Even though I wear it all the time, (it makes a good back cushion) I only do up the zipper in conditons that warrant it, such as going forward, rough seas, or sailing alone.
in which I keep such useful things as my keys, gloves, heaving line, and strapped to the PFD is a sheepfoot point rescue knife in a sheath. This type of blade can be inserted between the skin and a rope tangled around your foot, leg, wrist, and cuts outward with a serrated 2 1/2" blade, without cutting you. As well, my zipper toggle is a Fox 40 whistle. Even though I wear it all the time, (it makes a good back cushion) I only do up the zipper in conditons that warrant it, such as going forward, rough seas, or sailing alone.
one of each...
I bought a good comfortable vest that I can use on boat when I knew I'd want one: rough weather, going forward alone, nights. I found that I was sailing alone often, and so I bought an inflatable which I am much more likely to use. Most of the time I'm alone its on, and always when I go forward. I still use the other vest when its nasty, and especially when the weather cools off - nice insulation. I also bought a second good zip up vest for my wife to make wearing one more comfy for her. She doesn't get out enough to really justify the expense of a second inflatable - and if its really warm and she doesn't want to wear hers, I give her the inflatable and I'll use my spare. I have a whistle on each vest on the boat, and always have a small knife with me, with a serrated sheepsfoot blade.
I bought a good comfortable vest that I can use on boat when I knew I'd want one: rough weather, going forward alone, nights. I found that I was sailing alone often, and so I bought an inflatable which I am much more likely to use. Most of the time I'm alone its on, and always when I go forward. I still use the other vest when its nasty, and especially when the weather cools off - nice insulation. I also bought a second good zip up vest for my wife to make wearing one more comfy for her. She doesn't get out enough to really justify the expense of a second inflatable - and if its really warm and she doesn't want to wear hers, I give her the inflatable and I'll use my spare. I have a whistle on each vest on the boat, and always have a small knife with me, with a serrated sheepsfoot blade.
PFD
Don't know how cold your H2O is, When doing TDY in Charleston, SC it was Gulf Stream warm, but here it runs about 50 degrees plus or minus 2 or 3 degrees yr. round. I have a Thermal Float coat, an Inflatable with harness, and the zip-up fishing vest with pockets. Conditions dictate which one, except when alone I always have on the inflatable and tethered.
Don't know how cold your H2O is, When doing TDY in Charleston, SC it was Gulf Stream warm, but here it runs about 50 degrees plus or minus 2 or 3 degrees yr. round. I have a Thermal Float coat, an Inflatable with harness, and the zip-up fishing vest with pockets. Conditions dictate which one, except when alone I always have on the inflatable and tethered.
Got vest...want inflatable
For myself, I have a favorite kayaking vest which is short-wasted with several pockets, one containing whistle on lanyard. It is soft and comfortable to wear, and is highly adjustable. There are similar vests on board for my wife and daughter. One of the top items on my wish list is an inflatable. For passengers, I have a neat package of four adult sized typical "horseshoe" pfd's, and an extra kiddie-sized vest.
For myself, I have a favorite kayaking vest which is short-wasted with several pockets, one containing whistle on lanyard. It is soft and comfortable to wear, and is highly adjustable. There are similar vests on board for my wife and daughter. One of the top items on my wish list is an inflatable. For passengers, I have a neat package of four adult sized typical "horseshoe" pfd's, and an extra kiddie-sized vest.
Inflatable
I have ski vests, zip up and two auto inflatable with harnesses. They are a little bulky for everyday wear. I plan on getting four of the inshore manual inflatables w/o harness for guests everyday wear. I have been looking at the semi-foam/inflatables for kids. The thing that makes me hesitate, is that they are manual inflate and I'm not sure a panicked child can work them. Any comments on these?
I have ski vests, zip up and two auto inflatable with harnesses. They are a little bulky for everyday wear. I plan on getting four of the inshore manual inflatables w/o harness for guests everyday wear. I have been looking at the semi-foam/inflatables for kids. The thing that makes me hesitate, is that they are manual inflate and I'm not sure a panicked child can work them. Any comments on these?
When alone
I use an inflatable vest/harness when sailing. It is not automatic, but requires a pull to inflate. That way if I fall overboard, I can float as I watch my boat sail away. I probably need to fasten the harness, but when you will fall overboard is when you are moving about the boat.
I use an inflatable vest/harness when sailing. It is not automatic, but requires a pull to inflate. That way if I fall overboard, I can float as I watch my boat sail away. I probably need to fasten the harness, but when you will fall overboard is when you are moving about the boat.
manual inflatable
I'm a big believer in using PFD's but the market unfortunately isn't offering a really comfortable or convenient type 1 vest so for now I've been using a West Marine manual inflatable that buckles at the waist. This way I at least stay in the habit of using one. It's been a nice choice in the warm-weather coastal daysailing that I do and I keep an extra on board so a guest won't have to wear a bulkier vest than the skipper...
I'm a big believer in using PFD's but the market unfortunately isn't offering a really comfortable or convenient type 1 vest so for now I've been using a West Marine manual inflatable that buckles at the waist. This way I at least stay in the habit of using one. It's been a nice choice in the warm-weather coastal daysailing that I do and I keep an extra on board so a guest won't have to wear a bulkier vest than the skipper...
Inflatable all the way
So much more comfortable, especially on hot days. I always wear it on the boat unless at the dock or at anchor.
So much more comfortable, especially on hot days. I always wear it on the boat unless at the dock or at anchor.
Favorite PFD
I have the Mustang Bomber Jacket (Type III) which is very comfortable and warm. When the weather gets warmer I use the SOS automatic inflatable. I always wear a PFD when underway.
I have the Mustang Bomber Jacket (Type III) which is very comfortable and warm. When the weather gets warmer I use the SOS automatic inflatable. I always wear a PFD when underway.
My favorite PFD...
is a 'SOSpenders' auto-inflate with an integral harness. It is comfortable to wear for long periods of time, it is relatively light weight and unobtrusive, not too hot in the summer and seems like the best bet for most applications. Sure, it's a little expensive, (about $200) but I figure if I ever do go in the drink unexpectedly, it's worth every penny. Inside the jacket is a whistle, line knife and a floating strobe light, I'm currently thinking about adding one of those new 'rescue streamers' as well, as they look to be a really good idea. The auto-inflate feature also lends a certain peace of mind if I should happen to catch a jibing boom in the noggin before I get tossed in the water and am too 'out-of-it' to think to pull the activator cord. Oh, and hey, Chris Burti, as to your question about the kid-sized PFDs, I just got a foam with auto-inflate jacket for my 7 yo nephew a few months ago and he loves it! BassPro had them on sale and he's always been a bit of a whiner when it comes to wearing a regular 'horseshoe' type vest (can't really blame him when it's 100 degrees!) so everybody is happy now, especially his Mom! (she's convinced that sailing is inherently dangerous and makes him put on a vest before even stepping onto the dock, even though the kid can swim like a fish!) (little sisters never really stop being a pain in the butt, even when they're 35 and have a kid!)
is a 'SOSpenders' auto-inflate with an integral harness. It is comfortable to wear for long periods of time, it is relatively light weight and unobtrusive, not too hot in the summer and seems like the best bet for most applications. Sure, it's a little expensive, (about $200) but I figure if I ever do go in the drink unexpectedly, it's worth every penny. Inside the jacket is a whistle, line knife and a floating strobe light, I'm currently thinking about adding one of those new 'rescue streamers' as well, as they look to be a really good idea. The auto-inflate feature also lends a certain peace of mind if I should happen to catch a jibing boom in the noggin before I get tossed in the water and am too 'out-of-it' to think to pull the activator cord. Oh, and hey, Chris Burti, as to your question about the kid-sized PFDs, I just got a foam with auto-inflate jacket for my 7 yo nephew a few months ago and he loves it! BassPro had them on sale and he's always been a bit of a whiner when it comes to wearing a regular 'horseshoe' type vest (can't really blame him when it's 100 degrees!) so everybody is happy now, especially his Mom! (she's convinced that sailing is inherently dangerous and makes him put on a vest before even stepping onto the dock, even though the kid can swim like a fish!) (little sisters never really stop being a pain in the butt, even when they're 35 and have a kid!)
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