PFD Suggetions

[Slayer]

Any recomendations on a PFD for racing and coastal cruising that is not to cumbersome. Something that you would feel comfortable or semi-comfortable wearing.

[lbdavis]

Here's a wildly unpopular choice by many, but a favorite for others:

Front:


Back:


The low cut of the flotation frees your arms to move freely and floats you high in the water.

They are also usable for jacklines. You will be dragged back to boat (you can breath) not face to boat (where you are supposedly able to rescue yourself )

[JohnRPollard]

Are you looking for a foam vest, or an inflatable?

[mgmhead]

it would be my thought that the best PFD is the one you wear. I'm wearing a Mustang w/harness and find it very comfortable.

[blt2ski]

I have 7 Mustang 3084/3184 models on board. I hope I got the right model numbers, they have the harness on them vs what I recall being the non harness ending in 83.

marty

[rikhall]

We have two Mustang inflatables with harness MD3054 and two Mustang hydrostatic MD3153 without harnesses. We pretty much wear the hydrostatic any time sailing because they are so light and comfortable and either the ones with a harness for night or rough weather or I put on a harness WM under the hydrostatic.

And yes - as my colleague has already so wisely posted, the best safety equipment is the one you wear!

[merlin2375]

MD3184 here, very comfortable to wear, even for long days. Hydrostatic inflator and 5 year maintenance period. Has integrated harness as well.

[DrB]

I wear two types. A Mustang Hydrostatic Inflatable or a Lotus StraitJacket. The Lotus is a non-inflatable and I use it kayaking, in cold water conditions or when wet racing. The straight jacket is warmer than the Inflatable and easier swim in. Also, since it not affected by getting immersed or wet, the Lotus is better for wet or immersing conditions.

In the summer when I am cruising and generally in warm and sunny conditions, the inflatable is more comfortable.

Whenever I am off the hook on the boat, I wear a PFD of some sort, no matter how benign the conditions.

DrB

[mmeyer31]

Another vote for the Mustang hydrostatic. So comfortable--I almost don't even notice I am wearing it.

[Quickstep192]

I wear a SOSPenders auto inflatable whenever I'm on a boat, no matter the conditions. For me it's become like wearing a seat belt. I just automatically put it on. In the winter, I wear a Kayaker's vest just because I wouldn't want to take a chance on the auto vest not inflating.