Hobie Cat Forums

Seriously? I have heard of people doing interesting things to stay warm in wetsuits...


But I dunno about this..

I can't attest to staying warm in a wetsuit, but... When I first got my drysuit I did some testing of it (next to the shore) and found that I was substantially warmer wearing my Stohlquist high back than not wearing it. This testing was in 39 degree water.

OK, I realize it could be said that I don't understand the meaning of the word "cold" but with the inflatable vests, I tend to need an extra layer of underarmor or rashguard to stay comfortable under sail.

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"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."
- Ayn Rand

Stumbled upon a huge bass pro shop. They had some nice vests on sale. Bought four.

I agree, but then I'm in FL. (The foam models help down here when the temps are in the 60's and cooler, and the wind is blowin'.)

Keith

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I sail: S FL, Key Largo, Everglades to Cape Romano, Ft Desoto, Cedar Key

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

Ya, I stumble upon a huge BPS too, about 3 times a week!!!

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"Riding The Island Wind" RIPIT (Tim)
'08 Red Hibiscus AI w/2013 replacement hull, Lovin' it!!!
'11 Golden Papaya AI (for a chap)
'10 Outback w/sail
'11 Tarpon 160

Here is a foam vest that AI/TI people ought to checkout. It is made by NRS for sea kayakers, but all of its features (including a high back) should appeal to AI/TI people. It has lots of pockets & attachment points.
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2157&pdeptid=2059
The video on that site is very informative. http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/Video_Library.asp?vid=294&cv=1

I'm definitely checking one out next fall.

Keith

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I sail: S FL, Key Largo, Everglades to Cape Romano, Ft Desoto, Cedar Key

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

I use an Oneill Comp water ski vest. Zip on so no buckles or snaps it's like a wetsuit.
I also have an automatic inflatable PDF that I bought from West Marine. ONLY shop there if it's on sale! I mainly use that one for "real" sailing...offshore or coastal in nasty weather on big boats not my Hobie

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Mark AKA: River
2011 AI in Red hibiscus
Lowrance Elite 4
2 12V 700ma batteries in Parallel
Solar charging
Ritchie Compass

Kokatat Bahia tour

I've been a kayak fisherman here in CA San Francisco bay area for 10 years, have had a bunch of pfds, and the kokatat is just the bomb.
I won't get on my AI without it. Water is too cold and stuff happens too fast.

Not here but:
Huge debate manual vs automatic inflatable pdf's.
I intentionally jumped in 52 degree water with both. Two breaths I was done so I could not fill the manual. Auto. it was ready. I'll risk it going off unintentionally.
I value life

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Mark AKA: River
2011 AI in Red hibiscus
Lowrance Elite 4
2 12V 700ma batteries in Parallel
Solar charging
Ritchie Compass

I think when we speak of "manual" PFD's that we are usually speaking of the the type that is gas inflated like an automatic, but you pull a cord to make it inflate rather than a water sensing valve doing so. No heavy breathing required

A PFD which requires blowing up by mouth should be utterly illegal, equally, a totally automatic one (which inflates automatically in water) is a no-no for a kayak because of the amount of airborne spray.

The only two viable forms for kayaking are one with built in buoyancy, or one with a "ripcord" to inflate (with of course a mouthpiece for topping up)

Correct Herb. Manual refers to the pull tab type, which punctures the gas canister, rather than a mechanism with a dissolving pill, etc.

All inflatables should have a mouthpiece for backup, secondary fillups or topping off.

Of course, a fully autoinflate vest should be avoided on our hobies.

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"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."
- Ayn Rand

Understood, but those old "blowup dolls" still exist and many are here for advise.
I sail many boats and this is a personal thing for any sailor. Each has a Pro and a Con. If Unconscious you can't pull the cord. I will risk the chance of mine going off unintentionally because it "saw" water. I carry additional cartridges JIC.

At age 8 (I'm now 50) the man that taught my family to sail accidentally jibed only to have the boom knock him out and launch him off. No one knew knew what to do. To cut to the chase, it all worked out.

Again it's a personal decision. I prefer "Stupid-proof"

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Mark AKA: River
2011 AI in Red hibiscus
Lowrance Elite 4
2 12V 700ma batteries in Parallel
Solar charging
Ritchie Compass

My TI doesn't have a boom...