I know we went through this whole issue some months ago, but with the holiday approaching and Christmas lists being gently, kindly, and softly requested (Give it to me now!!!)<g> I'm searching around for recommendations from the list. I want to replace my old Perception Wave PFD - a few of the features that I'm looking for are: lots of arm/shoulder room, pockets, pockets, pockets, and possibly a tow/quick release. Any suggestions are welcome - if you don't know the manufacturer's URL that's OK - I can do that legwork (fingerwork) myself. No paddling in Juneau today - winds 35-45 with gusts to 75. Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I know we went through this whole issue some months ago, but with the holiday approaching and Christmas lists being gently, kindly, and softly requested (Give it to me now!!!)<g> I'm searching around for recommendations from the list. I want to replace my old Perception Wave PFD - a few of the features that I'm looking for are: lots of arm/shoulder room, pockets, pockets, pockets, and possibly a tow/quick release. Any suggestions are welcome - if you don't know the manufacturer's URL that's OK - I can do that legwork (fingerwork) myself. -------- I think the general concensus before was the Lotus Strait Jacker http://lotusdesigns.com/tour.html No paddling in Juneau today - winds 35-45 with gusts to 75. ------------ If ya'll had one of them wind meter thingees you could stand out there and know for sure :-) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 12/10/98 1:19:05 PM Eastern Standard Time, David_at_wainet.com writes: << ..... I'm searching around for recommendations from the list. I want to replace my old Perception Wave PFD .....>> Dave, whatever you do, make sure you look at the Lotus series, and their Strait Jacket in particular. Has all the basics --- two good sized pockets up front, fittings for a throw or tow line bag on the back, fittings for a quick- release, lash tab on the chest --- and it has retro-reflective tape already sewn in. Very comfortable, competitively priced. (My son's a WW guide and instructor, and he and all his buddies went over to Lotus when they came out a couple of years back.) Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Check out Lotus Designs products, very nice. Steve Freund QCC Kayaks Sea kayaks direct Janesville, WI http://www.qualitycomposites.com -----Original Message----- From: David Seng [SMTP:David_at_wainet.com] Sent: Thursday, December 10, 1998 12:21 PM To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subject: [Paddlewise] PFD choices I know we went through this whole issue some months ago, but with the holiday approaching and Christmas lists being gently, kindly, and softly requested (Give it to me now!!!)<g> I'm searching around for recommendations from the list. I want to replace my old Perception Wave PFD - a few of the features that I'm looking for are: lots of arm/shoulder room, pockets, pockets, pockets, and possibly a tow/quick release. Any suggestions are welcome - if you don't know the manufacturer's URL that's OK - I can do that legwork (fingerwork) myself. No paddling in Juneau today - winds 35-45 with gusts to 75. Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
If pockets you seek, then I suggest investigating the new Kokatat ProFit PFD. It is even more solidly built that the Lotus pfd's, and has many attachment points for pockets, including the back, and some of the optional pockets are quite large. The largest one will hold a VHF inside a waterproof pouch. These vests are new this year, and I have ordered one for myself from George Gronseth. Incidently, George and I are building an updated eequipment catalog for the Kayak Academy -- it's still a little rudimentary, but you can learn more about this PFD from http://www.halcyon.com/kayak and select equipment catalog from the frame on the left. Also, www.kokatat.com describes the PFD, but does not really explain the pockets very well. Cheers, Kevin ___________________ / Kevin Whilden \ |Dept. of Geosciences \___ |University of Washington \ |kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu| \________________________/ On Thu, 10 Dec 1998, David Seng wrote: > I know we went through this whole issue some months ago, but with the > holiday approaching and Christmas lists being gently, kindly, and softly > requested (Give it to me now!!!)<g> I'm searching around for > recommendations from the list. I want to replace my old Perception Wave > PFD - a few of the features that I'm looking for are: lots of > arm/shoulder room, pockets, pockets, pockets, and possibly a tow/quick > release. Any suggestions are welcome - if you don't know the > manufacturer's URL that's OK - I can do that legwork (fingerwork) > myself. > No paddling in Juneau today - winds 35-45 with gusts to 75. > > Dave Seng > Juneau, Alaska > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
David - I like the Palm line of PFDs. They're a little more expensive, and because of the pockets they aren't USCG approved, but IMO they're the best. They can be ordered from Great River Outfitters 248-683-4770. The URL is http://www.erols.netcom/rapids/GRO They also sell the Extrasport and Lotus PFDs, which are also excellent. I use a Palm 5 Pocket Ocean Bouyancy Aid, and it's perfect. A towing package separate from the PFD is much safer than one which is built into the PFD. In gnarly situations, you may want out of that tow in an instant, and you DON'T want to be releasing your PFD along with the tow when it's hairy outside. Nigel Dennis has designed a very nice, simple long tow, which has saved a couple of people's bacon. I did modify it, replacing the cam buckle (which wouldn't always release instantly) with a 2 inch Fastex buckle. A short tow mounted on the bungies in front of the cockpit is also occasionally useful - a carabiner on each side of it, for quick deployment to your right or your left. Happy hunting - - Bill Hansen Ithaca NY *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 08:30 AM 12/12/98 -0500, Bhansen97_at_aol.com wrote: SNIP > >A towing package separate from the PFD is much safer than one which is built >into the PFD. In gnarly situations, you may want out of that tow in an >instant, and you DON'T want to be releasing your PFD along with the tow when >it's hairy outside. Nigel Dennis has designed a very nice, simple long tow, >which has saved a couple of people's bacon. I did modify it, replacing the cam >buckle (which wouldn't always release instantly) with a 2 inch Fastex buckle. > >A short tow mounted on the bungies in front of the cockpit is also >occasionally useful - a carabiner on each side of it, for quick deployment to >your right or your left. > Bill, I am interested in hearing more about rigging for towing. Could you describe in some detail the methods you mentioned above? Bill Leonhardt *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Where are the best internet sites to find used paddling equipment. I know there are sources, but they seem so scattered out. does anyone have a comprehensive list of the best lists to keep bookmarked? phil Texas Bill Leonhardt wrote: > At 08:30 AM 12/12/98 -0500, Bhansen97_at_aol.com wrote: > SNIP > > > >A towing package separate from the PFD is much safer than one which is built > >into the PFD. In gnarly situations, you may want out of that tow in an > >instant, and you DON'T want to be releasing your PFD along with the tow when > >it's hairy outside. Nigel Dennis has designed a very nice, simple long tow, > >which has saved a couple of people's bacon. I did modify it, replacing the > cam > >buckle (which wouldn't always release instantly) with a 2 inch Fastex buckle. > > > >A short tow mounted on the bungies in front of the cockpit is also > >occasionally useful - a carabiner on each side of it, for quick deployment to > >your right or your left. > > > > Bill, > > I am interested in hearing more about rigging for towing. Could you > describe in some detail the methods you mentioned above? > > Bill Leonhardt > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 12/15/98 9:30:32 AM Eastern Standard Time, WJLeonhardt_at_bnl.gov responded to Bhansen_at_aol.com where Bhansen said: << >A towing package separate from the PFD is much safer than one which is built >into the PFD. In gnarly situations, you may want out of that tow in an instant, and >you DON'T want to be releasing your PFD along with the tow when >it's hairy outside. >> Totally agree, but in my Lotus Strait Jacket and in an early CKS PFD I had, the tow line was released with a quick release toggled cam buckle and belt, totally separate from the PFD closures. I'm not aware of any --- and I'm pretty sure there are no --- systems which require the release of the PFD to release the tow line. There are separate waist belts with tow lines and there are some good deck mounted devices, as well. But PFD-mounted quick release systems are no more or less safe to the operator than are the belt or deck systems. Just different. And they're always with you and they're always ready. Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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