Multi-sport Lifejacket

Anyone have any input on a Multi-sport U.S.C.G. approved vest?
I need to get a PFD that will work Surf kayaking as well as for on the Hook sports like Hobie sailing, Kiteboarding and windsurfing. So the vest needs to work with a waist and seat harness. I see adds for the Stohlquist WEDGe that has neoprene panels inside that are supposed to help grip the bod.
Any input on what to look for would be appreciated!
Scott

Stohlquist "Drifter" works like a dream...

Be sure to look at Astral buoyancy too. We've been wearing their stuff for distance racing and they're some of the best life vests I've ever owned.

http://www.astralbuoyancy.com

What features have you found that you like for on the hook sailing?
The Astral line had been mentioned to me but again lot's of choices and I was not sure if they fit the bill for on the hook waist or seat harness sailing.
Thanks for the input! Scott

I use the Stohlquist WEDGe and it works great. I've used it cat and dinghy sailing, surf kayaking, and wakeboarding without any problems. It's never in the way and allows for excellent upper body movement. I'll probably buy another one after it wears out.

I have the Astral Newton partly based on Jake's suggestion, well, mostly based on his suggestion and it has worked very well. Unlike all the others I have worn, I forget that I am wearing it. However, it is not USCG approved. It is a "bouyancy aid"

I didn't know that. Our Tempo vests are CG approved.

Has anyone tried this one? I am thinking about it. I only sail on lakes.
Thanks airborne pfd

No matter which one you get, do get it in an attention getting color. Although blue or green are pretty, you need to be seen if you are seperated from your boat.

Jake,
I think some of the Astrals are USCG approved, the Newton isn't because it doesn't have enough pounds of bouyancy.. but you probably already figured that out <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Will Any Of The "Buoyancy Aid" jackets float a normal size person, face up and head out of the water if NOT swimming?

don't know... I meant to check that with mine but was more interested in getting the boat up, etc. I do remember it not doing the standard ride up choke thing like the cheap ones do though.

Thanks Everyone!
What I have found out is that even if a jacket is U.S.C.G approved it does not have to float one's face up!
So now I see why one might choose a buoyancy aid jacket!
Seems like the only jackets that have enough flotation to do this and be able to move are the inflatable type jackets.
Only problem with these for me is having the mind to pull the trigger when needed!

Some people swear by the inflatable ones but my concern is wacking your head hard enough to get knocked out and then what good would it do you? But that being said, if you don't have one of those mega ones that float you face up then I guess it doesn't really matter.

Ahhh Yep! It's a bit of a sticky wicket! Eeeeeh!
This unexpected napp thing for me is gonna be a pain for my watersports!
Seems like if I'm not wearing a May West than all someone might find is a body attached to a nice jacket!
I am hoping I can find a jacket that I can move in and still float face up!

Everyone thanks your input on PFDs!!
This forum was one of the more helpful with this type of jacket!
After much research I purchased a KoKatat SeaO2 jacket, this PFD has minimal flotation then the ability to be expanded by mouth or Co2 to 23.5lbs of flotation.
I have yet to get the jacket wet but will soon to give it the full test!

Kokatat Msfit saved my life! I put it on then forget that it on.

Personally, I wouldn't want to be busy blowing all my hot air into a life jacket while I'm in the water. I'd rather be spending all my energy getting my boat righted. Nor would I like to have to rely on Co2 cartridges to do the job for me. I hope to goodness you didn't get the self-inflater option that activates when it detects water.

yeah, that would be bad news... imagine the first time you end up in the water and poof... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

imagine the first time you get splashed by a wave slapping off the side of the hull...

Foredecks on monoslugs don't even use the auto-detecting-inflaters for this very reason. They take some splashy splashy and all of a sudden, they are the stay-puff marshmellow man.

I've got an Astral Norge its a kayaking pfd. It uses a different kind of filling. kapok (sp) it's really soft. I don't know if it hold you face up but all the boyancy is really high, and it sits really close to the body. It's like wearing a big hug all day. Clears the hook on a harness well. I would think the less complicated the better.

I though kapok was banned about 10 years ago by the CG, something about getting waterlogged easily.

I bought it 3 years ago. I don't know. New techniques? It's really comfortable. Doesn't have a funky odor, or weigh more than it should, or when it was new. Hopefully they fixed the issue.

No self Infalting device!!! That would be funny tho! First big wave and POOOF!
Here is my Logic or lack there of! After trying all of our old Hobie jackets, Musto vests and a brand new MTI Orleans kayak vest none of them would float me face up!!! The MTI was the best with all its flotation hi-on the chest and very thick at chest. The MTI was great paddling but sucked for getting on the hook. In flat water it would not roll me face up! Once on my back it was pretty good at keeping me there!
So if I had a normal Class III Pfd of this type and get knocked out! all they are going to find is a body in a nice jacket, UNLESS I was lucky enough to land on my back!
As I mentioned before I am having seizures that come on slow and leave my left side worthless! So I am hoping that if I have one on the water I will be able to pull the rip chord have my fancy jacket inflate to 23.5lbs!! that will give me enough time to chill and wait for my body to come back!
Yes I will have to test and maintain the Co2 device for all of this to work when needed.
So that's my theory at least!
If I do come across a jacket that I can sail in and will save my butt, then i will get it! It's only money! Right???

I guess I should check on these things, huh. It wasn't banned, but the kapok should be sealed in some way because kapok has the possibility of becoming waterlogged.

No Coast Guard Type III PFD (the kind most of us wear) or Type V (inflatable) will float you face up when you're wearing a trapeze harness.

ISAF Rule 43.1(b) says (in part):"A hiking or trapeze harness shall have positive buoyancy and shall not weigh more than 2 kilograms, except that class rules may specify a higher weight up to 4 kilograms."

So where is most of this "positive buoyancy"? On your butt.

Try floating relaxed in a swimming pool dressed in full gear. The stable floating position is face-down, butt up.

Shhhhh!

Soon we'll have the gubberment telling us that we need to wear those arm floatie things while sailing!

I have heard some folks talking out of their A** and that might be where they breath as well!
Butt seriously!! If I was not having issues I would have one of the minimal jackets with flotation lower! they are great for kiteboarding and kayaking! especially when you are trying to get your head above the surface when floundering! It's like sitting on one of those foam noodles! not much there but really helps one float hi.
At least that's my take on it!