Return to Hobie.com
Hobie Forums
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 8:11 am

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 28 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Life Jackets (PFD)
PostPosted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 8:49 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 5:40 am
Posts: 463
Location: Metuchen NJ
It's been years since I've bought new life jackets. What are you all using these days? I surely don't want to spend $100+ on a PFD (times 4). I like the Stohlquist 'Escape' for features and affordability ($50-$59). Comments?

_________________
Chris
'88 H18SE Arís


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Life Jackets (PFD)
PostPosted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 10:30 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:35 pm
Posts: 313
Location: Lake Champlain, Vermont
West Marine $59 as well. Paddling (short) PFD basically.

_________________
H18, H17 & Various motor boats


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Life Jackets (PFD)
PostPosted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 10:52 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2007 6:20 am
Posts: 522
Location: Denver, Colorado
I wear the Stohlquist "Brik"

My wife and daughter wear the Stohlquist "Kitty" which is custom fit to a woman's "curves"

We have all been very pleased with both performance, comfort and durability.

We have been wearing them for about 5 years now.

Bonus, Jim Stohlquist is also a Hobie 18 Sailor !

Stephen

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


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Life Jackets (PFD)
PostPosted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 11:07 am 
Offline
Site Admin

Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 12:44 pm
Posts: 15026
Location: Oceanside, California
The Hobie styles offered in the catalog are Stholquist made.

Image

Image

http://www.hobiecat.com/media/pdf/eSail_2009-10_6-9.pdf

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Life Jackets (PFD)
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 6:20 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2005 12:55 am
Posts: 353
Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
For racing are USCG approved pdf's required?

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


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Life Jackets (PFD)
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 6:50 am 
Offline
Hobie Approved Guru

Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2003 7:11 pm
Posts: 5197
Location: Detroit, MI
Tom Machette wrote:
For racing are USCG approved pdf's required?


Yes. From the General Class Rules section of the IHCA Rules:
Quote:
8. SAFETY EQUIPMENT
8.1 Each person on board shall carry a lifesaving
device or Personal Flotation Device (PFD) approved
by their country’s national authority or by
the national authority having jurisdiction. The
IHCA strongly recommends that life jackets or
PFDs be worn at all times.

A lot of people have been using the Zhik jackets that are not USCG approved. Admittedly they are nice, but all it takes is one person to protest them and they're out. There was a fairly high-profile case last year of a junior sailor in the US qualifiers for the ISAF Youth Worlds that was protested by the RC for not wearing a USCG approved PFD. She was very lucky to escape with a warning.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Life Jackets (PFD)
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 7:17 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2005 12:55 am
Posts: 353
Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
Thanks Matt, I knew you would have an anwser. I guess no Zhik PDF for me.

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


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Life Jackets (PFD)
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 8:08 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2007 10:46 am
Posts: 1054
Location: eureka,california
The ZHIK life jackets are really nice comfortable also. As well as their Harnesses. That bieng said I have a Hobie life jacket i use thats 3 years old and still looks like new. Very nice for sailing and getting back on the boat after you do a stupid. I like them and the womens Hobie PFD's have cut outs for their lady parts to fit more comfortably. When you have you wife flying the spin on a tiger all day her comfort makes your sailing that much better.

_________________
Rich Vilvens
F-18 5150
[email protected]
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/f-185150sailing/


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Life Jackets (PFD)
PostPosted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 3:01 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2011 2:46 pm
Posts: 207
Location: Greenville SC
To bring up an old topic instead of starting new. I need to upgrade my flotation devices. I am not terribly concerned about USCG rating. I need something that is comfortable enough to wear and not notice. My current life jackets really conflict with the harnesses I have, and get even worse when you fall into the water. I have found situations that myself and my crew removed our jackets as they were in the way too much, only to capsize 20 minutes later. I like the style linked, I think it fit tight and not have much hanging out to get caught on things. I imagine it wouldn't ride up when in the water and be easier to deal with. I am willing to pay $100 a jacket, if its something that I and my crew will wear all day. Is there any other comparable jackets or ideas?

http://www.zhik.com/ProductDetails.aspx ... goryID=258

_________________
2010 AHPC C2 #218


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Life Jackets (PFD)
PostPosted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 4:57 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Wed May 17, 2006 7:49 am
Posts: 1053
Location: North Carolina
I have some Aquata racing jackets that are similar to those Zhiks. Not being USCG approved if you are stopped by a ranger and he catches it you will get fined. Plus, not race legal. The stohlquists are the most comfort for the money. I never wear a jacket while sailing, its a personal choice I don't push on others.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Life Jackets (PFD)
PostPosted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 5:54 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2011 2:46 pm
Posts: 207
Location: Greenville SC
I can stuff cheap USCG jackets in the hulls. The law and racing requires them on the boat but not on you. My biggest concern is someone falling off the boat, or if I fell off it could take a very long time for my crew to get it turned around and back to me. In real light wind its not something I am too worried about, if its blowing enough to fly a hull, I can see it being a real problem if I was to fall.

_________________
2010 AHPC C2 #218


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Life Jackets (PFD)
PostPosted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 7:16 pm 
Offline
Hobie Approved Guru

Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2003 7:11 pm
Posts: 5197
Location: Detroit, MI
Bacho wrote:
Is there any other comparable jackets or ideas?
http://www.zhik.com/ProductDetails.aspx ... goryID=258

I have one of these and I like it. It does ride up a bit, but not as bad as some of my other PFDs. I've never really been in the water with it yet, though.

Gill makes a comparable PFD. Check out APS - http://www.apsltd.com/c-3529-buoyancy-aids.aspx


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Life Jackets (PFD)
PostPosted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 6:20 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Sat Feb 24, 2007 8:45 pm
Posts: 1668
Location: Northfield Minnesota
Zhik. I don't care if its not coast guard approved, it floats me just fine.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Life Jackets (PFD)
PostPosted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 6:59 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 10:13 am
Posts: 1184
Location: Nepean S.C. Ottawa, Canada
At our Club, we remind newbies that while they may be able to swim well, it's difficult to swim when one is unconscious. Ever been hit on the head by the boom? 2 years ago, one of our members slipped off the wing in a gust, and fractured C2 when he hit the other wing....lucky he was wearing a PFD....he is sailing today....So safety should be No 1.

BTW, I have a nearly new Yellow Men's medium PFD for sale....offers?

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Life Jackets (PFD)
PostPosted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 7:27 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 3:58 pm
Posts: 184
Location: Punta Gorda, FL
One of these days, someone is going to cop an attitude and tip off the local marine patrol. I can see it now, Deputy Dog sitting a A mark pulling everyone over and checking their life jackets for compliance with the local law. If you got a ticket then the same fellow with the attitude will protest.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 28 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Jump to:  
© Hobie Cat Company. All rights reserved.
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group