Re: [Paddlewise] What's the difference between a touring PFD and a ww PFD?

From: <HTERVORT_at_aol.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 02:29:47 EST
In a message dated 3/15/99 8:16:07 PM Pacific Standard Time, pylka_at_castle.net
writes:

<< A WW pfd is probably more strongly built, and usually has more
 flotation because the water could be heavily aerated, thus less buoyant. >>

It ain't necessarily so.  Maybe ww vests SHOULD be stronger AND more buoyant,
but the former doesn't seem to be the case within the same manufacturer; and
many ww _kayaking_ vests are actually built with less buoyancy to minimize
coverage and bulk.  Look at the manufacturer's specs to see what the actual
buoyancy of each vest is.  Most are just barely at or above the minimum
required for Type III certification.  Lotus is _one_ of the best-built jackets
I've seen, but they also make a big point of calling their jackets "swim
vests" -- by which they mean easier to swim in and less buoyant than a "life
vest."

Harold
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Received on Mon Mar 15 1999 - 23:33:39 PST

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