Thanks John.

From reading that, it seems that what I suggest would pass the test of USSailing, so not a valid protest.

I don't see anything in the CG regs saying the jackets can't be stowed.

I would think that those power boat folks would have strong grounds to successfully defend their tickets.

My friend and sometimes crew, Jerry Richards is the national sails rep for Gill products. He has expounded on many occaisions how difficult and expensive it is for a manufacturer to get the approval, and , as someone stated, if you change something, you need a new test for approval. This is all on the mfgs nickel and that is very expensive. Unless there is hope of selling large numbers, it just isn't worth it. They sell plenty of the "bootleg" ECs and just let the sailors work it out.