PFD, suitable for a nudist
-headspin left-.... -headspin right- .... it's been a week! where'd everyone go???
Be that as it may, my new boat finally came in so now I need to outfit it a bit. First problem, and only thing I don't like about this particular yak, is the back of the seat is too high. I plan to replace it with a backband but, in the meanwhile, I need a pfd that has flotation only in the front. I can live with a little across my shoulders but anything lower than that won't get along well with the back of this seat. Granted, most of the time, I paddle naked so it doesn't matter. But we all have to carry one anyway so I'd like to get one that works when it becomes necessary to wear it. I've been shopping around at all the usual places but thought I'd check here as well. Anybody have a suggestion? By the way, I have plenty of the old style orange horse collars (old but never used and still in their plastic wrap) strictly to meet CG requirements on other boats. So this isn't an emergency purchase. I just want a newer more modern design and I've never shopped for what I'm looking for now. I'm also looking for any tidbits of advice, experience, and info regarding this type PFD. Soooo.... is anybody still here? Hellooooooooooo.........
There are several pfds out there that are inflatable and worn like a vest with nothing on the back. All are made for kayaking. They make one that is a simple belt pack as well.
I've considered one many times over the years. And they're improving them all the time. But I haven't yet seen one on the market that ticks all my "Pro" boxes and unticks my "Cons". At least, not as a sole means of survival without conventional backup. Having said that, if I were not a nudist, I would see nothing wrong with wearing one continuously, as long as that backup is available.
I appreciate your suggestion though and I'm thinkin' that a thread dedicated to the pluses and minuses of auto inflate PFD's might stir up some activity around here. At least it seems to do that on mainstream boating forums.
There have gotten to be a lot of PFDs made for kayakers that have little to no flotation built into the back panel. You could go here https://www.paddling.net/and check their gear reviews.
Thanks, been checkin' and finding a few :-)Even found a couple at a local Academy Sports. Haven't bought anything yet though because I'm now thinkin' I should wait until I replace the back of my seat (hopefully, that won't be long lol!) I don't want to spend $80-$100 and then find it's not compatible with a different back. Having said that, I would still like to hear from anyone with an opinion and especially from anyone who would recommend a PFD they use or have used.
interesting, in my kayak i don't wear my PFD as way to uncomfortable plus mine is a sit in and unless i'm going ( not me) down niagra falls i'm good but i do keep it with a quick release bungee cord on deck in front of me. on my canoe i do wear one but seating is different than my sit in kayak.
You might take a look at the NRS line of PFDs. They have several that are described as "mesh back" which do have a band of flotation material across the shoulders but (according to the manufacturer) are designed for use with high back seats. I haven't personally used them so can't say for sure how suitable you would find them. I am looking at getting one of their mesh back fishing models for use while wade fishing. They also have some low profile models with large arm holes and side entry specifically designed for use in rougher water that might be worth a look. As with most things I would suggest that you not buy until you have seen it in person and hopefully had the chance to try it on for fit.
i've considered the inflatable one's in past some are self inflating when it gets wet and some you inflate with attached tube to inflate are are a little pricey $80. and up. i thought about the self inflate model but im kinda clumsy at times rolling my yak at the dock, yeah kinda embarrassing but can you imaging rolling at the ramp in ankle deep water and you life vest expending as it got wet - not me. like i said in previous post on my sit in yak i have my vest bungee cord to front deck one pull and it's in my hands i can us it as a float if i can't put it on.
While I haven't bit the bullet on one yet I have been looking at the inflatable belt style PFDs designed for stand-up paddle boarders. Since I also like to swim and snorkel from my kayak they have caught my interest because they look like something I can wear the entire time I am on the water and still enjoy the freedom of being nude. I always carry a spare type III pfd would continue to do so in the event I encounter rough water.
There are many types of PFD's out there.
I sail a yacht all the time (I live aboard) and also have a conoe on board. I wear the same self inflatable PFD in my canoe that I use on my yacht.
It is like a horse collar when deflated and is barely noticeable when your wearing it, even in the nude. Another good thing with mine is that it doesn't have a "crotch strap" like a lot of PDF's do. I imagine a crotch strap would be very uncomfortable if you were naked.
i've been wanting a inflatable PFD for a few years needless to say most are about a $100. so i've been debating but the other day on e b a y i did a search and discover quite a few for half the price from you guessed it china but go to the store flip over the package and guess what made in china so i ordered one just to see what kind of quality it is and now i'm wondering if it's US Coast Guard approved or China coast guard approved so i'll see when it arrives. i don't wear one with my sit in kayak usually but have mine bugee cord to the deck and a simple pull releases it but yes it's almost impossible to put on a life jacket while in the water. on my canoe i always wear a PFD so more than likely i will wear it canoeing more. they need a transparent PFD for when i'm nude.
well my Chinese PFD arrived in the mail no where does it say Coast Guard approved unless it's printed in Chinese but it's pretty nice and fit well . i think this is more a experiment than anything i want something comfortable especially if im paddling nude but want to be safe too but when i looked at them in sporting good stores they were $90. and up and since i'm a tag reader they also said made in China so what's the difference. Plus on the outside which is yellow it is printed in english Life Jacket Lol. think i paid $30. with free shipping.
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