Re: [Paddlewise] What's in the PFD?

All,
 
2 pounds of sundries from lip balm to a fixed blade and all the assorted bits mentioned before, minus a liter of water. 4 pounds probably on launch all total. Coming late to the PFD mounted hydration party, and, only halfway, 1 liter as opposed to mostly 2 liter kits out there, I am sympathetic to the arguments of rotation. But I'm not a member of US Surf Ski Association or Sound Rowers so I probably can't keep up with you in my Romany anyway. I have, however, put many long days in similarly attired and won't complain about it.
 
Should you choose to forego a PFD for whatever reason, I hope it is a good one, but you are perfectly in your rights to do so. I rarely make that decision, but have done so with what I felt were better reasons to do so than keeping it on. I hope the traditions of freedom to choose remain as such in this country, but I am wary.
 
The inestimable Steve Cramer wrote:I get the idea about "If it's not on your body when you bail out, you don't have it," but maybe you could save a couple of ounces here? 
 
>> 2 ea 4x6 patches of gutter seam tape to fix boats 
 
The patches are nested within the little Ortlieb pack like the frame sheet of an internal framed backpack. They are super easy to retrieve, moreso than digging through my day hatch which is more and more in keeping with my junk drawer at home in philosophy. Shame on me. 
 
Please bear in mind, none of my attitudes are meant to be prescriptive. The sum total is what I have arrived at for what I do and have used and (unfortunately) what I wished I had at the time. Should you require only the PFD and your needs are met in some other way I'm all for that, too.
 
Want to have fun? The Kestrel anemometer is completely disposable part of my PFD kit. My wrist watch barometer serves that function well, but the anemometer is great to hold up up in varying breezes asking people what the strength is. I have had 5 knots steady reported to me as 15 knots, 10 reported as 20, just as often as someone nailing it without a confirming glance from me. Now you won't deny me that will you?
 
Cheers,
 
Rob G
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: mdziobak_at_mtu.edu
To: Rcgibbert_at_aol.com
Cc: paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net
Sent: Mon, 19 Mar 2007 6:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] What's in the PFD?


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