Return to Hobie.com
Hobie Forums
It is currently Tue Mar 19, 2024 1:49 am

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 18 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Comfortable Life Jacket
PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 9:42 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:28 am
Posts: 181
Location: Detroit, Michigan
I'm looking for a comfortable, not bulky life jacket. I went to the boat store and all they carried were the cheap, incredibly bulky jackets i.e. one huge piece of foam in the back, two huge pieces of foam in the front, and lots of straps/buckles. I realize I will get a dozen different answers on this one, but at least I'll have a dozen decent jackets to choose from. Please include information on where you bought it. Thanks for your input!

_________________
Dave


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:54 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2010 8:15 am
Posts: 495
Location: Saint John, NB Canada sailing on Washademoak Lake
I like kayaking PFDs (a life jacket is different: life jacket vs PFD).

I find that kayaking PFD are shorter, so they sit higher from the waist and don't end up pushing your chin when you sit down. Also leaves room for the harness hook at the bottom of the PFD.

I forget the brand of mine, but it's comfortable. I got it at the a scout shop, it's marketed for kayaking, canoeing and sailing, but not recommended for watersports like water ski or wake board.

My wife has a similar one made by Roots, she loves it, much more comfortable than the 3 foam piece model you described.

_________________
Marc...
1978 Hobie 16 Keoke, sail# 36 84
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 7:52 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Wed May 26, 2010 5:34 am
Posts: 258
I can't recommend any particular make/model PFD. I do tend to favor ones made for kayaking. They offer more comfort within a larger range of movement. Try on lot's of models before you buy. Some stores will let you return them if you don't like the fit. Good luck.

_________________
Southwest Hobie Island Club
http://www.facebook.com/southwesthic
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 2:42 pm 
Offline
Site Admin

Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 12:44 pm
Posts: 15021
Location: Oceanside, California
What we offer in the catalog are Stohlquist designs and very comfortable to wear.

I'd get the S6142XX (xx=size). I have one and use it for sailing and paddling. Very comfortable.

http://static.hobiecat.com/digital_assets/hobie-sailing-parts-spring2011.pdf edited the link.

Page 4

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:31 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2010 8:15 am
Posts: 495
Location: Saint John, NB Canada sailing on Washademoak Lake
Link no worky.

I googled Stohlquist and they look comfortable.

_________________
Marc...
1978 Hobie 16 Keoke, sail# 36 84
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:01 am 
Offline
Site Admin

Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 12:44 pm
Posts: 15021
Location: Oceanside, California
Hummm... worky for me.

Try this one: http://static.hobiecat.com/digital_assets/hobie-sailing-parts-spring2011.pdf

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:15 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2010 8:15 am
Posts: 495
Location: Saint John, NB Canada sailing on Washademoak Lake
Odd, both work today. I got page not found yesterday on your original link.

_________________
Marc...
1978 Hobie 16 Keoke, sail# 36 84
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:19 am 
Offline
Site Admin

Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 12:44 pm
Posts: 15021
Location: Oceanside, California
tricky I am... I edited to the shorter URL.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 6:34 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 6:32 pm
Posts: 2
I just got a pair of these for mate and I...fantastic!

http://www.zoumusa.com/pfd-most-comfort ... -p-25.html


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 3:06 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:28 am
Posts: 181
Location: Detroit, Michigan
I saw those and thought they looked too good to be true. They are so thin I thought there can't be enough flotation there to be any good. Are they the inflatable kind? Please give me more info on them.

_________________
Dave


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 5:34 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:12 pm
Posts: 60
I agree, this vest looks really thin and incredibly comfortable. From spec sheet on their Web site it looks like this is made in the Netherlands. It would be intersting to know how much floatation it provides.

I, too, use a jacket that was specifically made for kayaking and whitewater rafting -my favorite is one that I picked up when I worked in Argentina - and I love the Hobie vest that Matt pointed out.

If you are going to race in any serious regattas, be sure that your vest is US Coast Guard approved or you could be protested or even not allowed to race.

_________________
JT Cole
Clermont, FL
'03 Getaway
'05 Wave


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 8:39 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 6:32 pm
Posts: 2
The Zhiks are imported by Zoum USA and aren't USCG certified...but are certified throughout Europe. I don't know if it's because a US tag wasn't applied for, or if they didn't pass the USCG's strict "immediately-reverse-a-face-down-position" requirement. I didn't worry about it because my wife and I are strong swimmers and we're sailing in protected, shallow waters. I do know it feels almost like wearing a light jacket...very unobtrusive. An initial test swim showed plenty of buoyancy; I will do a "dead man" test next time I'm out there to satisfy my curiosity.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 8:43 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:28 am
Posts: 181
Location: Detroit, Michigan
I talked to someone in Customer Service at ZoumUSA. He said he and his son both use the Zhik PFD and love it. They sell over a thousand a year. He said it isn't Coast Guard approved because Zhik didn't want to spend the 2.5 million dollars it would cost to get approved. Gee, really? Anyway after talking to him I was sold and bought one. I'll let everyone know how I like it ASAP.

_________________
Dave


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 12:54 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:28 am
Posts: 181
Location: Detroit, Michigan
I tested my Zhik PFD from ZoumUSA and I love it. It is very comfortable and you really do forget you are wearing it. It seems to provide as much buoyancy as other PFDs. My only concern with it is it does ride up a bit in the water unless you have the strap really snug, but again not any worse than other PFDs. All in all a really great PFD. If you are looking for a PFD I would definitely check this one out. ZoumUSA will ship it free and if you don't like it you can send it back and they will refund your money less the cost of shipping.

_________________
Dave


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 1:32 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2010 12:07 pm
Posts: 1041
Location: Ontario, Canada
wxup wrote:
I tested my Zhik PFD from ZoumUSA and I love it.

wxup wrote:
He said it isn't Coast Guard approved because Zhik didn't want to spend the 2.5 million dollars it would cost to get approved.


I'm Canadian, not American. I don't know the status of the Zhik PFD in Canada, but my only concern would be that, in Canada, at least, if the PFD isn't certified in this country, then it isn't acceptable by the authorities, and you can get ticketed, and fined. They don't care if it's the money, or if there is some other reason for the PFD to not be certified.

The only other thing that I would say is that your source for the reason that this PFD isn't certified are the same people who will gladly take your money. I would want to make sure that there isn't some flaw in this jacket, and that is the reason that it isn't approved.

Other then that, it looks like a REALLY nice PFD. Personally I use a Stolquist one, and I find it to be great. I'd love for there to be more options for comfortable PFD's so I hope that the Zhik can get approved in North America.

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 18 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Jump to:  
© Hobie Cat Company. All rights reserved.
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group