Mike - i understand your thoughts and feelings as the temp rises the traditional PFD does get warmer...which is exactly why i like it so much in the winter. When i was paddling down in the south waters of Texas and Louisiana some folks there paddled wearing the inflatable type of PFD. Turns out to be the same type i use for sailing. Except the sailing is self-inflating and the kayak style is manual inflating. May be an option to consider as the weather warms. Both styles can be inflated by mouth. There may be other "hybred" PFD's out there that may offer a combination low profile, basic flotation and augmentated by CO2 flotation or by mouth. Be safe. john Santa Rosa, CA mike dziobak <mdziobak_at_mtu.edu> wrote: Rob wrote: > Mike, > > It floats just fine. Think about it, what does a bandaid weigh? The > heaviest > item is the liter of water that weighs 2 pounds, followed by the 1 pound > radio. Many of my friends carry a hydration pack with 2 liters of water > that > weighs more than my whole PFD kit in the first place. Everything else is I guess my point is 3-4 lbs in my PFD is way too much discomfort for me while puting in a typical 30-40 nautical mile day on long trips or even a hot summer day trip. I'm not sure what my PFD safety kit (VHF, knife,compass/thermometer, flares, mirror, anti seasickness pills, strobe) weighs but even this minimal kit is a noticable drag on my torso/shoulders when paddling and I'm less and less inclinded to wear it especially if the conditions are calm. I know it is much safer to have the PFD on at all times but as my skill level increases and as air temps seem to be going higher and higher, it's just more comfortable to stow the PFD in certain conditions. -mike --------------------------------- Don't be flakey. Get Yahoo! Mail for Mobile and always stay connected to friends. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Mar 19 2007 - 19:04:43 PDT
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