Re: [Paddlewise] PFD's

Sisler, Clyde wrote:
> 
> > Re Philip's question on PFDs, also check out Lotus' new "Strait
> > Jacket",
> > designed for sea kayaking.  An excellent jacket, the best I've seen or
> > used.
> > See it at the Nantahala Outdoor Center site, <www.nocweb.com>.
> > USCG-approved,
> > $109 (US) list, and a really good sea kayaker vest.  (My son was a
> > guide
> > there, and virtually all the people he knows now use Lotus vests ---
> > excellent
> > variety, workmanship and materials.)
> >
>         I'm pretty sure I'm going to order the Lotus Rio Grande from NOC
> as soon as they send my hip pads and float bags.  Other than the $20, I
> don't see what the difference between the two is.

There are a load of differences between the Strait Jacket and the Rio
Grande models, both from Lotus Designs of North Carolina
(http://www.lotusdesigns.com).  The Strait Jacket is the sea kayaker
version of the Rio Grande with the following added features:

--reflective tape at the shoulder straps and a reflective band across
the back

--a velcroed tab high up at the back to hold a strobe or just a white
light for being seen

--a provision for carrying a tow vest.  There are belt loops on front
and back and a tunnel behind the bigger pocket for the belt to go
through.  The back loops allow you to use that special bag that Joq
Martin bought and is using to carry extra emergency equipment.  The tow
rope set up fits to the side and so you could carry both the tow rope
and extra stuff.

The only thing that the Rio Grande has that the Strait Jacket doesn't
have is that its second pocket is bigger.  The second pocket on the
Strait Jacket is about 40% as large as the regular sized pockets.

I like the reflector tape running over the shoulder.  It is built in and
won't wear away or peel off as the stick on type eventually does.  The
strobe tab is interesting.  I would use it for a light I would think.  I
have no intention of ever towing any one (I am not that strong).  But,
the back pocket add-on is something I will definitely add a la Joq's
setup.

ralph diaz
-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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