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05-12-2020, 07:22
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Ventura, California
Boat: Toes in the surfline and eyes on tomorrow's horizon
Posts: 323
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PFD's?
Looking for PFD help.
I'm going to be starting my ASA 101-103 in a couple of weeks and have a choice; I can wear one of the PFD's the school provides, or I can buy one of my own.
I've been looking at all the usual places and can't make a choice. "The Plan" is to take the classes, do some local charter sailing and (maybe) eventually buy a boat for myself in a few years. Most of my time will be single handing because I don't know anyone who sails or wants to sail. Thus the dilemma.
Do I buy a PFD with harness or not?
Most of my sailing will be coastal with occasional trips to the Channel Islands, the closest of which is about 10 miles offshore, which ordinarily doesn't require using a leash. Yet single handing is risky even so close to shore.
So, harness or no harness from the get go? I can always upgrade but why put myself through this again? On the other hand, am I overthinking this?
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05-12-2020, 07:25
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Canada
Boat: T37
Posts: 2,336
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Re: PFD's?
Use theirs and wait to see what you like /dislike about a variety of styles. This can be an expensive purchase ($100-$1000) Figure out what kind of sailing you’ll be doing and make an informed decision.
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05-12-2020, 07:28
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Oakland, CA
Boat: Freedom 38
Posts: 2,503
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Re: PFD's?
I'd definitely buy one with a harness from the get-go.
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05-12-2020, 08:04
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Canada
Boat: T37
Posts: 2,336
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Re: PFD's?
Quote:
Originally Posted by gamayun
I'd definitely buy one with a harness from the get-go.
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What if he’s planning cruising colder areas and a floater suit would be more appropriate with a dedicated harness. Or moves to more of a racing or dingy racing scenario and an inflatable with built in harness won’t work? Too early and too many variables. While a pfd with harness can be nice they can also be limiting.
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05-12-2020, 09:26
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Montreal
Boat: C&C 30MK1 And charter boats. IWT World keelboat instructor.
Posts: 401
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Re: PFD's?
A PFD with integrated harness is best.
I wear a Spinlock Decvest pro, soon to upgrade to Vito model.
I need to vlip in about 5 % of the time and the integrated harness is just a D ring.
But when i do need to clip in i just pull out my Y leash and clip it.
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05-12-2020, 12:44
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Ventura, California
Boat: Toes in the surfline and eyes on tomorrow's horizon
Posts: 323
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Re: PFD's?
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbk
Use theirs and wait to see what you like /dislike about a variety of styles. This can be an expensive purchase ($100-$1000) Figure out what kind of sailing you’ll be doing and make an informed decision.
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"Theirs" are the solid foam orange ones that no one wants to wear because they're hideous, bulky, and fit so poorly the one I did wear years ago rubbed me raw even through my shirt. It did this every time no matter how it was adjusted.
I've been looking for reviews and not finding much so how about some hints on which brands NOT to buy? It's not the money because this is my life I'm talking about here if I need it, but I don't want to be spending cash unnecessarily either.
Anyone know anything about the Sterns C-Tec? Or the West Marine Offshore series w/ harness? The Spinlock looks really bulky and restrictive but it's on my short list anyway unless someone agrees with me that it looks like it has no mobility.
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05-12-2020, 12:55
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Montreal
Boat: C&C 30MK1 And charter boats. IWT World keelboat instructor.
Posts: 401
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Re: PFD's?
Get the new Spinlock Vito.
It's very well made and does not feel bulky at all.
Stearns has many models. Never tried them but if you get one maybe look if they have and Hydristatic system.
West Marine also has many models even in the offshore series. Do get one with Hydrostatic system.
But nothing beats the spinlock in my view. I am a sailing instructor and I wear my Spinlock all the time. Never feels bulky.
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08-01-2021, 11:16
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Ventura, California
Boat: Toes in the surfline and eyes on tomorrow's horizon
Posts: 323
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Re: PFD's?
Did my homework and then went shopping.
The winner is the West Marine Ultimate PFD with harness. It's rated at 45 lbs of flotation where most of the others are rated at 35 lbs. I weigh 280 lbs and the guy at West Marine recommended the higher flotation model even though it cost the same as the 35 lbs one.
Now all I need to do is read the instructions so I can arm it.
Oh, and I got some sailing gloves too - Harken 2xl. Amazing. First time in my life the gloves aren't longer than my fingers, especially the pinky.
BTW, first class is next Thursday. I'm going sailing baby!!!
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08-01-2021, 11:24
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#9
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Carrabelle, Florida
Boat: Fiberglas shattering 44' steel trawler
Posts: 6,083
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Re: PFD's?
You did start at the top! Inflatable PFDs are the way to go. When I dumped our dinghy and set off mine, my hearing aids didn't even get wet.
__________________
Never let anything mechanical know that you are in a hurry.
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08-01-2021, 12:21
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: San Francisco
Boat: Morgan 382
Posts: 2,879
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Re: PFD's?
Get the rearm kit, jump in the water and see how it performs, then rearm it. You need to be familiar with how it works before you need it. I was surprised at how much I was immobilized. Basically, I would be waiting for a rescue, no way that I would be able to swim to a boat and climb a ladder.
__________________
-Warren
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08-01-2021, 12:45
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: The Gulf of Maine
Boat: Bavara 37/Soling 27
Posts: 284
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Re: PFD's?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob_P
Looking for PFD help.
Most of my time will be single handing because I don't know anyone who sails or wants to sail.
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Not to change the subject but chances are there'll be other people like you in that class. I met people I still sail with when I took ASA 106.
__________________
Be well, take care, and a (dare I say it) happy 2021 to you....
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08-01-2021, 13:40
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#12
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Port Moresby,Papua New Guinea
Boat: FP Belize Maestro 43 and OPBs
Posts: 12,888
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Re: PFD's?
No doubt many will disagree with me, but:
FWIW, I very rarely wear a PDF on board. I prefer a harness and short tethers. The objective is to tie in and not go in the water.
PDFs are for use in dinghies or when you have to leave the boat because it's sinking or on fire.
Being hampered by a PDF while being dragged through the water on a tether is not my idea of fun.
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08-01-2021, 14:14
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Ventura, California
Boat: Toes in the surfline and eyes on tomorrow's horizon
Posts: 323
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Re: PFD's?
Quote:
Originally Posted by StuM
No doubt many will disagree with me, but:
FWIW, I very rarely wear a PDF on board. I prefer a harness and short tethers. The objective is to tie in and not go in the water.
PDFs are for use in dinghies or when you have to leave the boat because it's sinking or on fire.
Being hampered by a PDF while being dragged through the water on a tether is not my idea of fun.
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1. School requires that students wear one in the boats. It's an insurance thing.
2. After graduation, I will likely be sailing solo in one of the Yacht club's fleet. In the event of a MOB while solo, I'd rather be wearing a PFD than not, even when in coastal waters. The bright colors might prevent me from getting run over by the drunken power boaters. Hopefully anyway.
3. I got the one with the built-in harness so I can tether in when solo. That way the drunken power boaters won't be able to complain that I damaged their boat when they ran over me after I Chinese jibed and went overboard with a boom induced concussion.
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08-01-2021, 14:23
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#14
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Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Channel Islands, CA
Boat: 1962 Columbia 29 MK 1 #37
Posts: 14,305
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Re: PFD's?
Hi Rob, I am right down the way from you! You did really well in choosing the PFD/harness combo IMO, and good on the gloves too! And yes usually the weather and conditions are nice in our neighborhood, but when you start doing your trips to the islands you'll find days when you'll discover "windy lane" and you'll be glad you have all the best equipment ready! Let me know where you're headed and I'll meet (or race!) you out there! (just as soon as I get my boat put back together!)
__________________
DL
Pythagoras
1962 Columbia 29 MKI #37
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08-01-2021, 14:34
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#15
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Nearly an old salt
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Lefkas Marina ,Greece
Boat: Bavaria 36
Posts: 22,801
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Re: PFD's?
Quote:
Originally Posted by wholybee
Get the rearm kit, jump in the water and see how it performs, then rearm it. You need to be familiar with how it works before you need it. I was surprised at how much I was immobilized. Basically, I would be waiting for a rescue, no way that I would be able to swim to a boat and climb a ladder.
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As long as they aren’t hammar hydrostatic ones
__________________
Interested in smart boat technology, networking and all things tech
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