kayak pfds

[efc]

just wondering what brand of pfds members use and recommend.

cheers

Nick

[Angus]

I have an RFD Exodus. Mainly because they are the brand Viking Stock.

Its the goods though.

Made in Fiji

Angus

[fishyman]

if thats the one i have than its great

[Brian D]

Angus do they make em big enough to get around this gurth? I need one before I start paddling off shore.

[faulked]

brian you should allways wear one in a yak just in case.

i use a neoprene jacket from bias for 95 bucks its nice and stretchy for us round people.

id like to try one of the inflating ones as they look so comfy.

[Brian D]

Yeah I should Jason but teh Albert is only about knee deep! :S I have a inflatable one in the boat somewhere I might try that but I think I want a vest style with pockets and stuff.

[faulked]

being shallow means as you flip you bash your head but being a sit on top yak its not very likely my old kayak is a little dodgy if you look behind you to often you end up upside down lol

[Angus]

Ill check on sizings Brian.

I have been meaning to get them into the AFO shop for ages just saving for the intitial stock order

Angus

[Nastymind]

I'd love to know the regulations as well.

For a yak in open water, is a pfd1 compulsary?

[Lazybugger]

PFD's are compulsory for open waters, 2nm off shore, But as metioned they are essential equipment on any kayak & you shouldn't go in the bay without one.

There are 2 sorts of inflatables pfd's, self inflating & manual. Both are unsuitable for kayaks. Self inflating PFD's activate as soon as they are submerged in water, not much good if you simply fall of the kayak and are in no immediate danger (can happen easily) or are surf launching. Likewise a manually inflated PFD is uselss if you have been knocked out during a kayak rollover from a surf launch, boat or rogue wave.

Most guys use a PFD2. PFD1's are too bulky in general for comfortable paddling for hours on end. PFD3's can be a a bit too light on buoyancy. There is a wide range of PFD 2's available that come in specific paddling styles, with larger armholes to allow movement. Look for a model with pockets & you'll be a happy yaker! :cheer:

[Cowfish13]

Great advice Lazybugger:cheer:

All very valid points

[jeff f]

but do they come in huge

and how much

thinking about one before the kayak camp

[faulked]

your welcome to try mine jeff it should fit you or go to bias and try theres on its very strechy

[pcsolutionman]

guys they do come in large sizes. I have the Ultra Trek its great loads of pocket and very comfy

Lee

[Nastymind]

Lazybugger wrote:

PFD's are compulsory for open waters, 2nm off shore, But as metioned they are essential equipment on any kayak & you shouldn't go in the bay without one.

There are 2 sorts of inflatables pfd's, self inflating & manual. Both are unsuitable for kayaks. Self inflating PFD's activate as soon as they are submerged in water, not much good if you simply fall of the kayak and are in no immediate danger (can happen easily) or are surf launching. Likewise a manually inflated PFD is uselss if you have been knocked out during a kayak rollover from a surf launch, boat or rogue wave.

Most guys use a PFD2. PFD1's are too bulky in general for comfortable paddling for hours on end. PFD3's can be a a bit too light on buoyancy. There is a wide range of PFD 2's available that come in specific paddling styles, with larger armholes to allow movement. Look for a model with pockets & you'll be a happy yaker! :cheer:

That's all great advice, but i'm interested to know if it's a legal requirement to wear a PFD1 in open water in a yak, just as is it is in a power boat?

Or are you legally able to wear a PFD2?

[jeff f]

faulked wrote:

your welcome to try mine jeff it should fit you or go to bias and try theres on its very strechy

thanks jason

i was amazed when thet raincoat fitted so i may be in luck

[jeff f]

Brian D wrote:

Angus do they make em big enough to get around this gurth? I need one before I start paddling off shore.

check these ones out for size brian

http://www.biasboating.com.au/p-1061-stearns-classic-pfd-3.aspx

[Clawhammer]

I know what you're going through. Definatly get one...as Faulked said turn around for half a second and you're in the drink, and if the sucker rolls on top of you and hits you on the coconut there's an easy chance you could get knocked out!

My advice is to try one on in the store...XXL ain't often big enough. Plus some tend to ride high on your body i.e. over your gut and bunch-up on your chest as well as looking/feeling odd. They're designed that way to keep the boyancy high on the body to stop you bobbing upside down like a cork. The model 'pcsolutionman' suggested are great...but put 1 on before you buy!