The Lifevest
Alan Neurick
I'm curious; If a PFD were invented which (1) passed Coast Guard
requirements and approval, (2) was not as cumbersome or confining as a Life
Vest, but (3) costed significantly more than the average Lifevest, would
anyone be interested in such a product?
The reason I am so curious is that I believe the question really comes
down to the price factor. Would the boating community be averse to
spending the extra money for a more comfortable and enjoyable PFD than
what we've put up with for so long? My initial reaction is, "yes." But
I hesitate because if that were indeed the case, we would have had a better
PFD on the market by now.
--an
GrEp
the concern, as a PFD manufacturer is sure to be sued sooner or later.
Departures from "accepted" design might create an approach for such an
attack. Have found that the best design in use is the pull over WW
racing type vests with solid foam front and back. SEDA vests are nice
for rolling up to tuck in the boat, and fit well when the elastic is new.
Most vests have too much flotation, making them clumsy as hell.
Mark E. Zen
:> Seems there is plenty of room in the marketplace. Liability is ususally
this is the same reason planes are flying around with 20+ year old
technology... anything "new" must be tested to death...
:> Departures from "accepted" design might create an approach for such an
:> attack. Have found that the best design in use is the pull over WW
:> racing type vests with solid foam front and back. SEDA vests are nice
:> for rolling up to tuck in the boat, and fit well when the elastic is new.
:> Most vests have too much flotation, making them clumsy as hell.
there are some eally nice alternatives, very few of these designs are mmade
in the US... again liability
mark
--
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mark zen o, o__ o_/| o_.
po box 6091 </ [\/ [\_| [\_\
longmont, co 80501-2077 (`-/-------/----') (`----|-------\-')
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MIKE JAQUET, 4951, AUBURN CA
> requirements and approval, (2) was not as cumbersome or confining as a Life
> Vest, but (3) costed significantly more than the average Lifevest, would
> anyone be interested in such a product?
Years ago I remember seeing what was basically a floatation windbreaker. I
think Stearns or somebody made it, I saw it in a sailing supply shop up in
Seattle. I don't know if it was an approved floatation device, I don't know
how comfortable it was, and I don't know if it is still available. I don't
know much do I.
But it might be worth investigating for canoe and kayak and rowing use.
I think it was a nylon shell with a 1/8" to 1/4" thick floatation liner which
extended out into the sleeves to give enough buoyancy.
mike.
George Kaschner
: Previously GrEp [seb...@astro.as.utexas.edu] wrote this:
: :> Seems there is plenty of room in the marketplace. Liability is ususally
: :> the concern, as a PFD manufacturer is sure to be sued sooner or later.
: this is the same reason planes are flying around with 20+ year old
: technology... anything "new" must be tested to death...
That's a BINGO! I contacted a number of PFD manufacturers a couple of
years ago asking about PFD's for tall people - no such animal. Each size
of each model has to be approved. So if you see me on the river and my
Extrasport looks like a training bra tied around my neck, just remember
I'm doing the best I can with what I got. ;)
George Kaschner
P.S. I've seen a number of people looking for big guy kayaks lately. Do
you think the manufacturers will ever start recognizing a need to design
boats for large or tall people? Ever notice that secondary stability in
a boat isn't there if you are too tall?
P.P.S. Have I mentioned what a great time I've been having in my Caption
this summer?
Tom Branham
> Mark E. Zen (cano...@netcom.com) wrote:
> : Previously GrEp [seb...@astro.as.utexas.edu] wrote this:
> : :> Seems there is plenty of room in the marketplace. Liability is ususally
> : :> the concern, as a PFD manufacturer is sure to be sued sooner or later.
> : this is the same reason planes are flying around with 20+ year old
> : technology... anything "new" must be tested to death...
> That's a BINGO! I contacted a number of PFD manufacturers a couple of
> years ago asking about PFD's for tall people - no such animal. Each size
> of each model has to be approved. So if you see me on the river and my
> Extrasport looks like a training bra tied around my neck, just remember
> I'm doing the best I can with what I got. ;)
Yah, I ended up taking my Stearn's lacing's out, replacing them with
shock-cord with some extra length, running them through a rope clamp,
then the ends down to webbing loops with D-rings, and the loops are
run through by a webbing belt with a Fastech fastner. Helps somewhat
to keep the silly thing from riding up so much on me. Makes me wonder
that because of the ferocity of the regulations and legal system, I am
forced to wear a jacket that obviously is not designed properly for me.
I am real tempted to try one of the British PFD's out (anyone out there
with experience with Palm's larger life jacket (I think it is Palm :) ?)
Personally I would rather be safe and be fined than USCG approved and
dead................
For that matter I have considered sewing an adjustement to my jacket,
though it would void the USCG approval. Their recommmendation is
"Just try others on till you find one that fits properly".
My response "I have. There isn't."
> George Kaschner
> P.S. I've seen a number of people looking for big guy kayaks lately. Do
> you think the manufacturers will ever start recognizing a need to design
> boats for large or tall people? Ever notice that secondary stability in
> a boat isn't there if you are too tall?
As soon as they realize they can charge us higher prices. Been to a big-tall
mens store lately? :-) I just ordered a Klepper Quattro with a solo-seating
option (extra T-mount for back support and a hole in the Keelbaord for the
seat) a time honored and tested double, WITH the bonus of 2 extra sponsons
for configurable hull shape (and with 80-150 liters of air on the sides of the
boat, it IS the definition of secondary stability).
> P.P.S. Have I mentioned what a great time I've been having in my Caption
> this summer?
Nope, where you been out? Am looking forward to getting out much more often
myself (been tough with the rental places carrying such Teeeeeeny little
boats around here :-) Did get out for lessons up the coast of Maine way though.
Been having a real blast (otherwise I don't think I could justify $5000 for a
boat :) Came to the point if I wanted to continue seriously I just had to get
my own boat.
--
tom
tbra...@mm.wellesley.edu