I'm very surprised by all this talk about USCG and other official requirements/ approval.

Hey, we are all skippers with resposibility for our lives and that of others on our tramp.
So I would say the official required buoyancy is the MINIMUM you should have. And please forget the false story about the alleged trouble you are supposed to have with lifevests.

I never go at sea without one, and never feel restricted in my movements. See my vid starting at 3:11 min:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMKThlRmCGE

That is to say; you can't swim with a lifevest!

ronald
RAIDER-15 (homebuilt)

hey boy, what did you do over there, alone far out at sea?..
"huh....., that's the only place where I'm happy, sir.