> -----Original Message----- > From: Sailboat Restorations, Inc. > [SMTP:sailboatrestorations_at_worldnet.att.net] > I've read this whole PFD thing with some interest. Of course, it's as big > a > debate in the sailing community as it is here. IMO, a PFD is far more > essential in a sea kayak than on a sailboat, although I consider it pretty > important gear on a sailboat, as well. I *always* wear my PFD kayaking. > really a simple issue. Not at all. Goes to the very heart of our basic > Interesting difference in perceptions. I do a lot of sailing (Laser) and windsurfing and consider them more dangerous than paddling my sea kayak on FLAT WATER (but not the sea) and even though I don't wear my PFD in flatwater I always wear it when sailing. I used to tell my kids when I was teaching them to sail that the reason the boom is called that is because thats the sound it makes when it hits your head. Probably an argument for wearing helmets whilst sailing, I imagine that would go down like a lead balloon. Cheers David Australia *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I wrote: > > debate in the sailing community as it is here. IMO, a PFD is far more > > essential in a sea kayak than on a sailboat, although I consider it pretty > > important gear on a sailboat, as well. I *always* wear my PFD kayaking. And David Whyte wrote: > Interesting difference in perceptions. I do a lot of sailing (Laser) > and windsurfing and consider them more dangerous than paddling my sea kayak > on FLAT WATER (but not the sea) and even though I don't wear my PFD in > flatwater I always wear it when sailing. I used to tell my kids when I was > teaching them to sail that the reason the boom is called that is because > thats the sound it makes when it hits your head. Probably an argument for > wearing helmets whilst sailing, I imagine that would go down like a lead > balloon. Probably not so much a difference in perceptions as in what we are talking about. I definitely agree that a PFD is essential on boats like Lasers and on windsurfers. I don't have the guts or skill (or svelt body) to sail boats like that, so I mostly sail larger sailboats (current boat is 32 feet, although I do have a smaller daysailor as well). On the larger boats, you are not likely to "go over", and the boom is usually far enough up that you can stand up during a tack and not even think about the boom. Still, although falling off the boat takes more effort, if you do go overboard, a PFD would be a good thing. . . Mark *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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