Topic: Which PFD? — Adventure Canoe

This topic has 7 voices, contains 14 replies, and was last updated by Dennis 728 days ago.

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)

Author	Posts
Author	Posts
January 21, 2010 at 10:22 am #33318
Dennis	I was wondering if anyone had some thoughts or recommendations on personal floatation devices. Mine is ancient (like me).
January 21, 2010 at 3:26 pm #33319
James	The NRS Vista is a pretty close facsimile of the Patagonia PFD Cate and I have. It’s not terribly expensive and it sits high enough to wear comfortably in a kayak. Sadly I don’t think they’re making the Patagonia/Lotus PFDs any more. I can also get you a deal on NRS gear with my ACA instructor certification number.
January 21, 2010 at 4:00 pm #33320
Bryan Hansel	I’m a big fan of my Kokatat Guide. Good amount of pockets, comfy, and built in tow belt. I didn’t know about the NRS discount for ACA Instructors. Good to know.
January 21, 2010 at 5:54 pm #33321
solentseakayaking	Although I use these mainly for Sea Kayaking, the Reed Aquatic Pro and Palm Kaikoura are both superb PFD’s and great for open canoeing as well.
January 22, 2010 at 5:11 pm #33322
Dennis	Bryan, Are you the tow-er or tow-ee on that thing? I’m not sure I would want to be on either end but it does sound useful for rescue (or recovery) operations. Thanks for the input. I’ll have to see if I can lay my hands on any of these locally to see how they fit on someone roughly fashioned after a large pumpkin.
January 25, 2010 at 9:59 am #33323
Bryan Hansel	Ideally, neither, but I’ve towed a few people. If you don’t need the tow rope, I believe that they make a model without it.
January 25, 2010 at 1:20 pm #33324
James	Tow-ee If you’re trying to rescue someone you want to be able to let them go before they drag you in.
January 25, 2010 at 6:56 pm #33325
Dennis	That way I can get out my video camera first and then release them once I’m properly set up, in order to take the classic slow-motion shot of them going over a large vertical drop (backwards) as they stare up at me screaming, “WHY!”
January 27, 2010 at 4:46 pm #33326
BWCAJohn	admin – 6 days ago » Sadly I don’t think they’re making the Patagonia/Lotus PFDs any more. James- I believe that the former makers of Lotus PFDs are not making them under the name Astral. I have been using an Astral organic PFD and I love it. Very comfortable, easily adjustable, and the fleece lined pockets are great to have on cold days. They definitely put a lot of thought into the design and it shows.
January 27, 2010 at 5:22 pm #33327
BWCAJohn	Edit- My PFD is the Astral Norge
January 31, 2010 at 11:17 pm #33328
Dennis	Sounds like some sort of 1950s laundry appliance. Is that a waterproof pocket on the front?
February 2, 2010 at 10:24 am #33329
The Edrinaline Expedition	My brother gave me a canoe, pfd, and paddles last fall… He said he new i’d appreciate that sort of thing… I’m forever Grateful… My PFD is Olive Green and has pockets, it had a bass pro shops logo silk screened onto it… but i scraped that off… The greatest feature; imho: is that it has pockets! Sans-Souci ssv-4165 All this picture shows is the color, only had cell phone that day to take pictures… sure beats these old orange lifejackets… Yea, that’s me; back in the Nineties!
February 2, 2010 at 5:21 pm #33330
natecanoes	Good thread. I am on the lookout for two new PFD’s, one inflatable, and one regular one too. I’ll have to check out some of the suggestions. Currently I use a Kokatat (unknown model). I am pretty happy with it. So far it’s never got wet, so thats the best kind in my opinion.
February 6, 2010 at 12:33 pm #33331
Bryan Hansel	Never gotten wet. What kind of a pfd is that? Not even for a float session in a lake?
February 7, 2010 at 4:31 pm #33332
Dennis	Sometimes you just want that new PFD smell to last as long as possible…