PFD - What kind do you wear when sailing?

As a child, I was into water skiing and spend many weekends behind my parents' power boat. Needless to say, with the current economy and price of fuel, the power boat has been sold. So, here I am with an entire pile of life jackets and a $300 pair of water skiis that were used one season. Anyhow. I bought a nice O'Niel neoprene vest while I was still skiing, not sure how well it will work out on the wire. I never bothered to wear one when sailing sunfish, but figure this boom might take my block off if it hits me. Oppinions?

There are many great PFDs now on the market that will work for trapeze sailing. Generally you want one with flexible foam, decent room around the arms for mobility and a high cut for the trap harness. Generally, a PFD designed specifically for sailing will have a slightly larger back panel, so is less thick than a kayaking one. However, the best one is the one that fits you!!! Give yourself at least an hour, go to a shop with great selection and try on as many as you can with your trapeze harness sitting down, standing and kneeling. I have many customers who have bought my least expensive PFD because it works best for them. Just because you get 20 people on this or another forum or in a parking lot tell you that you have to have brand x, model y, doesn't mean it is the best one for you.

I have used lately both a Salus Abacus (www.salusmarine.com) and a Gul Rodeo. Both work well for me (I don't ever notice its on while on the water)

Scott

Good advice there. I wear a Stohlquist - this one I think.

I'll give the second vote for the STOHLQUIST DRIFTER. It is the most comfortable pfd I have ever worn in my life to be honest.

Neoprene PFD's used for water skiing can be too heavy for comfortable and/or fast cat sailing.

One thing to keep in mind while selecting a sailing pfd...avoid anything with more than one or two belts/clips. These can easily snag on stuff and become dangerous on a sail boat. There are many good pfds now with only one or no clips/belts. Pockets to carry a few essentials is a nice to have, esp. if not racing. I also look for a way to secure my submersible handheld VHF radio.

Oh, for the neoprene skii\ jacket...you can always press it back into service if you try skiing behind your cat! Not a joke...this has been done before!

What about this one from Gill?

http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?SEID...amp;tickerCID=0

Looks good, but how do you get in and out of it? Over the head? Doesn't seem to be any front zipper or other closure.

Of all the PFD's mentioned, only the Stohlquist one is class legal for Hobie racing in North America because it's the only one that's USCG / Transport Canada approved. The Salus Abacus looks nice, but it's only Transport Canada approved.

The Gill one is a "buoyancy aid" and is not legal for Hobie Class racing.

BTW, I second Mike's comment about straps and buckles. My Extrasport has three on each side and is always catching on something if I don't wear a rashie over it.

I use the Stohlquist and like it fine. Bought it right here on CS. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Another thing to keep in mind is that a life jacket that is too long will cover over your trapeze hook making it harder to get into and out of the hook. This is why kayaking jackets are nice, they tend to be a higher cut than a sking jacket.

sm

I really like the Astral Norge. It uses Kapok for buoyancy for you "green" folk. Super comfortable, its way softer than foam. I use it water skiing, sailing, on my jet ski, and kayaking. Very happy with it.

I LOVE that GIll PFD.

Do they make a full body version with a mask and cape? I think i saw a movie where George Clooney had one just like that!

What is "Kapoke"?

Definitions of Kapok on the Web:

A short, lightweight, cotton-like, vegetable fiber found in the seed pods of the Bombocaceae tree. Because of its brittle quality, it is generally ...
www.lotusorganics.com/articles/ClothingGlossaryI-O.aspx

A Unicellular Seed Hair Obtained From The Fruit Pods Of The Kapok Tree Eriodendron Anfractuosum ( Formerly Known As Ceiba Pentranda)., Note. The Fibre Is Also Called Ceba, Ceiba, Java Cotton Silk Cotton, Silk Floss Etc. Indian Kapok Comes From Bombax Malabaricum.
www.fibre2fashion.com/glossary/glossary10.htm

the silky fibers around the seeds of any of several silk-cotton trees, esp. a ceiba (Ceiba pentandra): used for stuffing mattresses, life preservers, sleeping bags, etc.
www.cruise-vacation-advisor.com/cruise-terms.html