On Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 8:59 PM, Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca> wrote: > For me, 10 pounds combined with my other gear would provide minimal > flotation. 20 to 25 instant pounds with that same amount of drysuit > floatation would be ideal. I think Kokatat have a hybrid model that would > fit the bill, but too may "bills" for me right now. > I have one of those Kokatat SeaO2 PFDs; in fact it's my second one... I bought my first for only $99 at a kayak seminar in Tacoma and when that one burned up in the shop fire I bought a second one (this time for $200!). My feelings were (and still are) that you never know when you'll need that extra flotation even if it's to help you roll up. With no air in the chambers I believe the Kokatat is 13lbs of flotation which is probably enough for calm water and a reasonably nice day. But inflated there is something like 22lbs of flotation! The other thing I liked about the Kokatat PFD is that it's minimal bulk when you're paddling. Very little there to get in the way and it's extremely comfortable. If you do any paddling where you are likely to find yourself in rough water (at the time I was spending a lot of time at Deception Pass) or would just like minimal bulk in a PFD while getting maximum potential flotation then the Kokatat is worth the money. It's not going to inflate if you are incapacitated - which can be a drawback but seems to me to be a minor consideration for sea kayakers. The SeaO2 has an automatic inflation feature (pull the rip cord) but it also has provision for inflation manually (which is all I've ever done). Highly recommended despite the price. Craig Jungers Moses Lake, WA www.nwkayaking.net *************************************************************************** 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 Fri Feb 18 2011 - 07:31:48 PST
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