PFD recommendations

Not sure as I ordered it and still have not got it.
Man I am going to be kicked out of the Nationals before I even race.I will be totally illegal(carbon fiber tiller and non approved life jacket).Just kidding as I also have legal equipment.
I really think NAHCA has to lighten up some of there restrictions.I cannnot think of another high profile one design class that does not allow this lifejacket and or carbon fiber tillers.I understand that in the context of the rules there intentions are good but ...
I guess some of the top teams in the 16 Nationals got away with one.

Along those lines true story.Canadian Finn sailor lost an Olympic gold medal because he forgot his lifejacket at shore.Now that is just dumb.

I raced with a Zhik vest in Alameda. One guy shom I don't remember mentioned it to me -- told me it wasn't class legal. (I already knew it wasn't.) I told him that when I win the NAs they can protest me and take away my championship because I don't have a class-legal PFD!

Here's the story as told to me by Mike Krantz, the American importer for Zhik. The USCG requires EVERY life jacket to be approved. That means every size, every shape...I'm not sure if every color. Mens. Womens. S. M. L. XL. XXL. Each approval costs some $. And when you make a design improvement -- any improvement -- like adding a pocket or changing the position of the zipper for the pocket, then EVERY life jacket needs to be re-approved again.

So it ends up being a money game -- particularly for a progressive, development company like Zhik. I guess Zhik doesn't have enough business in US yet to make it worth the effort. I can understand. So I sail with an "illegal" life jacket. It doesn't give me a competitive edge -- the jacket isn't any "better" than any other jacket out there. Mine was free (Mike gave it to me at the Alter Cup last year), and it matches my other Zhik gear and I like it. Oh yeah, another bonus -- it is rated to save my life if I ever need it (not that it really matters that much!!). It is a nice design; but not one that allows me to gain a competitive advantage.

I understand the other side of the coin also. If you let Zhik go, then where do you draw the line? All of a sudden you are in a gray area. So it is far easier to draw a definite line in the sand. Makes everything cleaner that way. It is up to me to decide if I want to sail legal or illegal. (For the record, it is the only thing on my boat that is illegal!)

So I take my chances. I am banking that on that lucky week when I am able to put it all together and make it into the top 5, that the boys and girls at the top will have humility and respect to not toss me on a technicality. I wouldn't. And I think most of the good racers wouldn't either. There is a mutual self-respect up there. I live my life "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". If some guy beats me fair and square with an illegal life jacket that he didn't gain any advantage from, I wouldn't press the issue.

But maybe some asshole plays by a different set of rules. I take that risk. I'm cool with that cuz I know in my heart how I really did. So did the asshole who protested me. Sure, he moves up one spot. But when he looks at his trophy, it will be with a false, hollow feeling.

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Peter Nelson

Hi guys, I have a stupid question. What is this square badge (I don't know how else to call it) on the right side of the PDF for?

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Yuri
Hobie 16
Laser Vago

It's a knife patch. White water kayakers carry knives to cut themselves out if they get pinned between a rock and their kayak or entangled in some way. The knives have a clip which attaches to the patch. I've started carrying mine while sailing - there's a lot of lines to get tangled up in.

http://www.sit-on-topkayaking.com/Artic ... Knife.html

That was going to be my guess and thank you for confirming that.
I always carry a knife in my PFD, although I keep it in my zippered pocket. I've lost wristwatches before while sailing, look down after coming in and notice it was gone. I'm skeptical of keeping anything as important as a knife on the exterior where it can be knocked off by a big wave, or splashdown. Accessibilty is primary when you need it, but if it's gone then what? I like the pictures of the knife attached with line or caribeener but for sailing that could be a hazard. That's a fine line.

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Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

I love my Lotus "sherman" pfd. I believe that lotus is now owned by patagonia. It fits bigger guys like myself well, but I don't know your stature. It is high-profile, with one singular foam insert on each side. It moves very well when you move. Very open in the neck and arms, and it has little floation on the sides, so you can keep your arms close to your side.

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

I bought an extrasport and I love it... however, I have yet to trapeze.