Sailing life vests

Hello out there, my name is John Yaeck and I am trying to find out who makes the sailing life jackets I have seen around that are bright yellow and appear to be real lightweight. There realy doesnt seem to be a lot to them but I see a lot of Hobie cat people wearing them as well as other sailors. I have been using the regular ski vests but its time to rplace them and these other units mentioned look so much more comfortable. As I said, they are bright yellow and when looking at them from the back, it appears the flotation foam or whatever they use, runs from top to bottom in seperate strips.
Any body out there who can offer some suggestions as to where I should look!!!!???? Just a company name would help. Then I could look up thier catalog and find them.

Thanks in advance,
John Yaeck

WOODMISER @ SBCGLOBAL . NET

Hobie Cat
Murrays Marine
APS (Annapolis Performance Sailing)
Layline
West Marine

These guys all have decent life jacket offerings.

Also, kayaking lifejackets work well for Hobie sailing because they're high-cut so they don't hang over your harness hook.

sm

Try Stohlquist Waterware

http://www.stohlquist.com

Stohlquist has made vests here in Colorado for rafters for many years.
They crossover to Hobie sailing very well, no big suprize because the owner is a Hobie sailor himself.
I use the Men's model called the Brik, and my wife and daughter use the Women's model called the Kitty.
Large arm holes, freedom of movement, and high enough that they are never in the way of the hook of the trapeze harness.

They don't build the life jacket you describe, but they do build one of the most comfortable and functional live vests I have ever worn.
I've been sailing for 44 years and worn almost every style you can imagine.

Sorry if all that sounds like a sales pitch.

Stephen

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If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

I agree with srm. I have found the best bet for beachcat sailing are the ones made for paddle sports. They usually have wider arm openings for freedom of movement and ride high on the waist which will accommodate your harness and trapeze hook. Like this.

http://www.amazon.com/Body-Glove-Hydralic-Paddle-Jacket/dp/B000OEQRBS/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1251382611&sr=8-22 or this

http://www.amazon.com/Stearns%C2%AE-Paddle-Tech-Paddlesports-Life-Vest/dp/B000H1K2UA/ref=pd_sbs_sg_1

Try to avoid the four belted ones made for water skiing, jet skiing etc. They are made for high impact and are not very comfortable for sitting on a tramp or hiking out.

John: This looks like what you're talking about:

http://tinyurl.com/muxvny

I wear one that has a small mesh pocket for whistle, compass, etc. Will probably get one with more pocket room next time.

Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi

Hello John:

I use Kokatat Life Vests - OutFIT Tour - a paddling jacket with a couple of pockets for knife, radio, etc.
Works well with my harness

http://www.kokatat.com/

- Dwight

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Dwight Manning
Hobie 20 #916 San Jose CA 2000 Alter Cup
Hobie 20 #16 San Jose CA (Jordan) 2000 Alter Cup
Hobie 18 #916 Santa Cruz CA 1989 Worlds Boat
Hobie 16 #16 San Jose CA (Jordan) 2005 Custom Main
Hobie 16 #54466 Calling Lake Alta Tequila sunrise

Dwight,

Which one of those fine Hobie's are you bringing to HAVASU for the Mega Event ?

Stephen

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If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

Dwight has an awesome quintuple stacker trailer. Bring 'em all!

Anyone using this?

_________________
Sail Revolution
Join us on our new FB Page!

that thing is pretty cool looking.

Yeah looks pretty zhik!

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1992 Hobie Cat 18 #16943
Hobie Fleet 198, Rapid City, SD

It looks cool, but it's not US Coast Guard approved and therefore not legal for racing under the IHCA Rules or US Sailing prescriptions to the Racing Rules of Sailing.

Hey guys,
Thanks a lot for all of the info!!!! That was quick too!!
Jerome--The picture you sent is exactly what I have seen. You say you wear one for sailing on your Hobie Cat? Is it as comfortable and lightweight as it looks?
Guys--Thanks again for the help. Its sure is nice to have a place like this to go to when one has questions! I hope I can help someone out the same as you guys have!!!

Thanks again and good sailing to all of you,
John Yaeck

I have been using one on my Hobie 16 for many years (it's about worn out). It is comfortable and light weight out of the water ....a very good PFD for the price. It will ride up some when in the water. Much better than a ski vest but not as good as some of the fancier (and more expensive) models that fit even better. As I said, I'll probably move up to a more expensive model with more pocket room soon, but the ExtraSport Challenger is a great value.

Jerome

I think what you are seeing are the self inflating variety like
They do not actually float until they are inflated but they inflate I think when they sense water submersion or something. Which means a lot on a cat. You have to replace the CO2 cartridges every time they activate. Probably very comfortable but expensive and you have to replace cartridges all the time.

I use these for casual sailing. They're not self inflating, and cost about $50 on sale but very comfortable.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/270281/377%20710%201218/712/life%20vest/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/40/0?N=377%20710%201218&Ne=712&Ntt=life%20vest&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=40&Ns=0&keyword=life%20vest&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=8&subdeptNum=106&classNum=12387

I wear a Hobie vest in heavy winds.

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TC