why don't people wear their PFD's? and what can be done about it.

smfinley wrote: I see everyone discussing the Stohlquist PFD's. I have found good success with the Extrasport brand. My wife and sister-in-law both like the "Chica" which is designed for a women, but also comfortable for men. Looks like they don't make my PFD anymore, but just another vendor to look at.

Take a look at the Stohlquist Betsea. Excellent PFD designed for the female form...

2 reasons

COmfort and manuverability. Besides I grew up on the ocean and cant stand swimming in one. I swear they are even more uncomfortalbe in the water than out. I also like to be able to go under water especially when righting the boat. I tend to hold on to the hull as it comes down and am fine with it pushing me under. I always know where it is.

As stated above, if you get knocked out, almost none of us have the jacket that will roll you over. so in that instance it would not do you any good any way

and YES I know I am going to catch hell for this!

I do keep good ones on board at all times and recommend them to guests.

PDS624 wrote: 2 reasons

COmfort and manuverability. - As stated above, if you get knocked out, almost none of us have the jacket that will roll you over. so in that instance it would not do you any good any way

The correct pfd takes care of the first two...And that last part - I COMPLETELY disagree with. There is so much science and testing and certifications that goes into PFD's it's crazy. I dont understand how their not MORE expensive:)

turtlecat wrote: I COMPLETELY disagree with. There is so much science and testing and certifications that goes into PFD's it's crazy. I dont understand how their not MORE expensive:)

It is my understanding ONLY a type 1 Offshore Life Jacket will roll over an unconscience person so they are floating face up. NONE of the other class pfd are designed to do that (required much more boyancy in front vs behind the torso and also requires around the neck floatation

Like jacket info.
http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/pfdbasics.htm

funny story:
so i am camping all weekend (this past weekend). It's about an 1/2 hour to sunset, and we have a powerboat pullup. Ends up, its a guy who used to sail very often in our area.. .and a few of the sailors know him. His gf has never been on a cat so i suggest she go out for a spin on one. she is excited to go.

I ask her bf if he wants to go out on my cat. He jumps at the chance. I ask him to please grab himself a pdf from his powerboat just so we are legal. He flips out and says "hell no, if you require me to have one, you are an incompotant skipper and i wont sail with you".

I bite my tounge and say nothing (a new skill i am learning). i figure he can stay on the island, no sweat off my brow. I am going for my 3rd sunset sail in a row, with or without him. He finally sees i am going without him and grabs a brigh orange old school pfd that has never ever been worn, and puts it on. I look at him and say "you dont have to wear it, but you have to have it incase we get pulled over i want to be legal".

his gf is on the other boat freaking out, laughing etc that he is wearing it.. as she has never seen him wear one in the 10 years they were powerboating...

edited by: MN3, Sep 20, 2010 - 01:49 PM

Way to stand your ground. You just never know...

MN3 wrote:

I bite my tounge and say nothing (a new skill i am learning).

Must be a skill you started working on 28 mins before sunset this past weekend... 😆

Must be a skill you started working on 28 mins before sunset this past weekend... icon_lol

You just made "the list" buddy (again) lol

Most pfd's won't roll you over, but they will make it easier for crew or nosy power boater to locate and roll you over. I watched my one of my crew hit the hull really hard
in the ribs. He had a kayak type pfd which didn't have any side protection. He was sore for weeks. I wear a fairly
inexpensive pfd with plenty of padding all around. Never really have a comfort issue.

What a great picture

🙂

I finally had to go back to work...sitting out a typhoon in Hongkong tonight, or whatever the hell time it is back in the world.
Scott, I'm not endorsing the Stohlquist brand, they may or may not be any better. That just happens to be what came with a used whitewater kayak I bought for the kids. I found it to be superior to the waterski vests I was using. Comfortable, has a mesh pocket in front, doesn't get in the way of the hook, & actually has some righting ability. I don't think they meet the Coast Guard standard for righting an unconscious person, but they have more flotation material in the chest area than the back, & are more stable in the face up position.
I'm an ex competitive swimmer & lifeguard, & nobody gets on my Cat without wearing one. It is free life insurance, I'm cheap, I like free!. Stories are legion of people going overboard & dying because they couldn't be found quick enough. In rough water it is amazing how hard it can be to see a dark head on an overcast day at any distance. It only takes one mouthful of water going down the wrong tube to quickly spiral into a drowning. With a knock on the head, ribs, cracked wrist,or any other injury that impedes your previous amazing swimming ability, they just make keeping a clear airway so much easier.
If you still think they suck, at least make it easier for the Recovery people to find your body. It won't sink, & your family will be ever grateful that they didn't have to identify you after 3 days lying on the bottom,what with crayfish & all nibbling at your soft spots, marine worms crawling out, & your already overweight carcass a terribly bloated putrid mess. Also don't discount the positive effect you will have on the environment by saving the CG time, fuel & money spent "dragging the bottom".

edited by: Edchris177, Sep 21, 2010 - 05:33 PM

MN3 wrote: [quote=turtlecat]I COMPLETELY disagree with. There is so much science and testing and certifications that goes into PFD's it's crazy. I dont understand how their not MORE expensive:)

It is my understanding ONLY a type 1 Offshore Life Jacket will roll over an unconscience person so they are floating face up. NONE of the other class pfd are designed to do that (required much more boyancy in front vs behind the torso and also requires around the neck floatation

This made me double check my PFD...go figure right?! Mine is a type V, but performs as a type I per the tag. None of the others that I use (even in thge same brand) do that.

You are correct...dam#$it 😀

Its against the actual question here...but I can tell you why I do wear them! One of my first experiences on a cat was in winter. I was in high school and full of...stupidity. We (all 5 or so) were on a N5.0 in the middle of a large body of water, and since it was cold - I wore jeans. The only flotation device aboard was a half empty gallon of Vodka. I got knocked off half soused in jeans and had to tread water for what seemed like forever...I was quite close to drowning when the equally soused buddies figured out how to tack. I was to lucky enough to live to learn. PFD's and beachcats are like peas and carrots to me now 🙂