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From: John Blackburn <digipixs_at_erols.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] PFD
Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 11:57:02 -0700
ralph diaz wrote:

>
>
> That is tough.  The culprit is not the PFD if it is the proper size and you
> smartly use all the adjustment straps that most PFDs come with nowadays.  It
> is mainly the Farmer John.  One faces a dilemma with a neoprene farmer john
> wet suit.  The advice is to get it real tight in order for it to work and
> let in only a minimal amount of water.  BUT that level of snug fit is hell
> on body rotation and creates that enormous resistance you feel.

I just bought a 2 piece Farmer John from Rapidstyle (vest and long pants), made
from fuzzy rubber.  Prior to reading this thread I hadn't even known this issue
existed.  I'm thinking that the two pieces and a fuzzy rubber (fleece) interior
on the vest so it won't grab, will minimize or maybe eliminate this problem, and
maybe even let me turn around enough to get into a day hatch   :-)

I'm picking them up this week, and will use them (but not need them) this
weekend.  I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm lucky that Rapidstyle's shop is only 5 miles from my house, so I dropped in
and met the owner.  She installed a full length separating zipper on the vest as
custom option for $10 and took 2" out of the pant legs for free.  Basically
giving me a custom made wetsuit.  Great service!  I don't have anything to do
with the store, just a very satisfied customer.

She mentioned that when she first started out, sea kayakers bought the one piece
FJ at about 90 percent.  The market has changed so that the 2 piece FJ is 40
percent of her sea kayaker sales.  I might have the percentages a little off,
but that was the gist of her comments.

John Blackburn
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