Wetsuiting PFD's
 

what's every/anyone using? every one i've come across seems way bulky. after reading chefs thread, it got me thinking about them again...

Mustang PFD's work great in all situations. I now have 3 of them. I'm too stupid to just fish the safe places. these things keep my dumb a-- alive. Ron

I'd been considering one for a while, NRS makes some kayak models that are pretty low profile....but I bought a STORMR Jacket and it solved a lot of issues, the added neoprene provides plenty of extra flotation and I stay warmer longer resuting in more fishing...one of my best fishing purchases ever

stormr jacket?

Stormr

Two issues. Extra warmth now is not needed. The open pockets seem worrisome.

I've used an inflatable pfd in a few situations that worry me. OK for dangerous wading but un-inflated it seems like would be more drag and snags while swimming.

Ron,
With your weight areyou sure 3 is enuff?
:love:

I wear a kayaker's lifevest EVERY time I head into the surf with a wetsuit. Learned my lesson a few years back on MV(remember that Casey?). Took a little while getting used to it, know I feel naked without it.

Be careful out there gang.

pockets have zippers...i thought it might be too warm but if you are swimming and getting fully immersed....it's fine.....I've headed out without it on a couple of occasions and regretted it each time as the wind or weather whipped up and made it uncomfortable......i have a 5 mil suit

actually, the way that color has weathered, you look naked WITH it.

check LLbean outlet stores and even better online: sierra trading post for high quality kayaking vests, which usually have low profile, nice features ( pockets for compass, whistle, camera, etc) and are built for doing stuff with your arms.

I think Kotakata(sp) had some kayak fishing pfd's extra with pocket space which would be a nice addition

nope Stohlquist...

whatever you do you can stay much safer for under a hundred bucks

http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp...73286.11373301

some of the options have a really small footprint

Na I just need the one. The pony keg helps with floatation LOL

Very helpful, Scott. Thanks for posting the link.

I have given it some thought, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. This one looks good to me.

NRS Ninja PFD at NRSweb.com

Since I quit smoking I don't think you could sink me, even without my wetsuit. Not that fat helps if you are unconscious, though most of these vests won't hold your head out of the water anyways. I'm pretty much a thigh deep guy anyways though in NH I sometimes have to swim a ways on the incoming to get back to where I walked from. I have a Playa jacket that is the predecessor of the surfcasting Hendersen one and it swims fine. I put grommets in the bottom of the pockets.

that looks interesting. anyone know of any nrs dealers in ri/ma?

You guys already look like ninjas out there, so I would go with that one :D

don

give quaker lane a call

thanks jim.

Great thread. I found this one from Kotatat that seems like it wouldn't interfere too much with movement.

Kokatat Orbit Tour PFD: PFDs and Life Jackets | Free Shipping at L.L.Bean

pfd
 

How thick is your wetsuit? The thicker the wetsuit the more the flotation. I would put on the wetsuit and jump in the water and see how you float before dealing with bulk, heat and cost of a PFD.

NRS is carried by the saltwater edge too and EMS carries most of there items.

also dont stuff the #^&#^&#^&#^& out of your bag with plugs that have massive trebles :) and if you do crush the barbs. You can always just add a layer underneath your wetsuit to be floatier :) an extra couple mils in the chest works wonders:uhuh:

pfd, hockey helmet, elbow pads, shin pads, leash for your rod (wtf? leash really you need more #^&#^&#^&#^& to get tangled on?? there isnt enough #^&#^&#^&#^& in ocean to get caught up on now youre adding your own #^&#^&#^&#^& to get tangled on??) where was I mouth guard, chafe guard and chest protector and neck protector and you should be about good to go..

:kewl:

have to agree. a wetsuit and pdf are redundant. carry less, know your limits and stay on your toes. anything beyond that is overkill IMO.

try climing up on a big rock with all that crap on, or swimming in even a minor current with all that extra bulk and flotation.

Have to disagree, have no problem climbing or swimming with the PFD on. No worries if it doesn't work for you but I would hate to have others make a similar, and potentially catastrophic, decision based on that opinion.

The point is that 99% of the time, there probably is no need for the PFD, but that 1% of the time, I need to be prepared.

that thought started this thread...

How about an inflatable "fanny pack" or belt pack. Its better than nothing. I have one when I deep wade (if not in the suit). I put it on last and wear it in the rear like a fanny pack. I have found no interference. If I were to get into trouble its inflates with a rip cord. Might have trouble actually putting it on, but at least it would provide something to hold on to.

Seems like it would force you face down, especially in waders.

Ya, no thanks, I'll take a pass on the wetsuit thing and stay on the shore. As Clint Eastwood says - " a man's got to know his limitations"

[QUOTE=Slipknot;950636]Ya, no thanks, I'll take a pass on the wetsuit thing and stay on the shore. As Clint Eastwood says - " a man's got to know his limitations"[/Q

I totally agree.....