PFD's

[mfrankel]

I am a couple of weekends away from completing a tandem kayak (Dave Gentry Chuckanut 15) for my wife and me. Except for a few afternoons of leisurely canoeing in the Everglades, I have rarely been in a boat of any kind since Boy Scout camp during the Nixon administration, and when I have, I hated wearing a life jacket because they are bulky, hot and uncomfortable. I know I need to buy a couple. What should I get?

[Hirilonde]

There is more to it than comfort in general, though that is a very important concern. Kayaking PFDs also need to be out of the way of back bands and such as well as all the other parameters of a life jacket. I suggest buying one specifically designed for kayaking. I also recommend buying a very good one from an outfitter that can help you fit and size it to your build. You will likely spend near $100, but you will likely end up there in the long run anyway after trying cheap ones and learning why they are not worth owning. I ended up with an Astral Air

By the way, I learned to canoe at Boy Scout camp during the Johnson administration. And my Eagle congratulations letter is signed by that illustrious example of honor and honesty Richard M. Nixon. (lots of sarcasm intended)

[Ward]

Check out Stohlquist especially for the wife.

[ricknriver]

I Paddle a good bit with local groups. Ideally I would wait to get a good ($$$) life jacket until your boat is completed, then take it to stores/outfitters that have a good variety of kayaking jackets and try them sitting in your boat and making your paddle movements. Even better, borrow a variety of styles and use them on the water paddling your new boat. Every bod, boat, seat & seat back, paddling style, and jacket combination is different and you want to try and find the most comfortable one that you will ALWAYS wear while paddling for hours even days. And yes there are a variety of life jackets made especially for women but again, try the widest variety your wife can get her hands on. Also think about remounting your yak after a wet exit (dump :-(. Jackets with lots of big pockets filled with stuff sometimes make it tough to climb back into your boat. A couple of small pockets for safety gear (whistle (best attached to the zipper pull), mirror, light, phone) may be better. Get a kayaking jacket with a gut strap to keep it from riding up. I had to get one with long ajustable shoulder straps so I could get the gut strap "under" my gut (Kokatat). Just some thoughts. Paddle Safe, R

[P Doug (WA)]

Well. I had a hard enough time talking my wife into the idea of me building a kayak. I can hear her if I tell her I have to spend $100's in gear to use it!!!! I'll use the one I got from Sea Eagle when I bought an inflatable kayak. Coarse I well probably only kayak 3 - 4 time a year, for a few hour at a time. Most places I'll be paddling in I'll be able to walk to shore.

[Kudzu]

PFD is the most important thing you will own. One designed for paddling is MUCH more comfortable but any of them are going to be hot. You have 1" +/- of flotation around you acting like insulation and so it's going to be hot. As for which one you just have to find that fits you I tired several before I found one I liked the fit of.

Keep in mind you are not wearing it, it is next to useless so you just have to get used to it being hot. Carrying one in the boat isn't going to so you any good when you hit the water. We don't talk about safety enough on here

[MisterMoon]

I just got one of these: http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2157&utm_campaign=shop_comp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=buy_now&utm_term=goog_product_2157

So far I like it very well.