PFD's

Just wondering what type of PFD's  yakers wear that don't interfere with paddling . I have a couple ones that seem like they might work ( mess tops in the front top half ) but they are camo and olive colored . Think I should replace them with a different color , what colors show best from a distance in the ocean ? Also want to put whistles on them , does plastic or metal make a difference in a wet enviroment ?

As long as it is CG approved and appropriate for your weight, the rest is preference. I have a bright orange splash jacket to stay visible. I bought a $3 plastic whistle/compass combo at walmart tethered to my pfd. Having multiple pockets in my pfd is convenient for putting in snacks, lures, radio, gps, etc. There are deals if u look around. I have bought a lot of stuff from ncka classifieds by placing, "WTB:______"

Just wondering what type of PFD's  yakers wear that don't interfere with paddling . I have a couple ones that seem like they might work ( mess tops in the front top half ) but they are camo and olive colored . Think I should replace them with a different color , what colors show best from a distance in the ocean ? Also want to put whistles on them , does plastic or metal make a difference in a wet enviroment ?

Peace, y'all

Dan they design PFDs for SOTs having a mesh or high back to be comfortable with the highback seats.

brighter the better...yellow or orange is best. if your seat has a high back get a PFD that works with that set up. otherwise the PFD will catch on the seat back and ride up....its a pain trust me. Also make sure it doesn't have a million pockets on the front. all the stuff you pack will make it harder to re enter the boat from the water. also I know this seems dumb but make sure it fits. I see so many ppl with vests that are way big. it needs to be snug otherwise it will ride up to your ears in the water.

The one I have that I like the best is designed to use in a SOT with a fairly high seat back,  all the flotation is in the chest and up high on the back where it doesn't interfere with the seat and leaves the lower back with no padding, this is the most comfortable for me, but it's always a personal choice.  Mine has 2 big pockets in front, and yeah bright is best. Replys so far looks like all good advice

Dan I still have the PFD and Spray Jacket
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,25560.0.html

Whatever feels comfortable

I have a kayak specific PFD with two big front pockets and a shoulder loop on each shoulder strap that I use for electronics.  I have never been happy with it.

There is not enough compfortable storage for all the recommended safety / survival gear.  It seems to me all PFDs should have crotch straps, which this does not [yes, I know they can be added].

Drooled over $700 Mustang Aircrew survival vests; not in the budget.

My current compromise PFD "contents" - Gerber River shorty blunt tip knife strapped outside, pealess whistle leashed but inside a pocket; LED strobe light leashed inside a pocket; cell phone in "waterproof use" case leashed inside a pocket; GPS in "waterproof use" case on shoulder strap;  personal survival kit inside a pocket; personal first aid kit inside a pocket.  The pockets a jammed and bulging.

Stuff I wish I was wearing in / on my PFD: VHF / GPS; PLB; handheld flares; aerial flares.  [ I sometimes use a shoulder strap for one of these items.]

Stuff I hope I can get to in my ditch bag in need:  handheld flares; aerial flares; hypothermia kit [towel, clothes, food, water]; water; food; bigger first aid kit; and bigger survival kit.

Other stuff I hope I can grab if I get separated from the kayak: air horn; swim fins, mask, and snorkle; and dive / utility pointed blade knife.

I think you need to go to a store and try on the PFD.  That's what I did.  I tried on a lot of different PFDs.  I sat on the floor and on a chair and pushed against the wall and seatback to get a feel of the PFD.  I knew I wanted one with a high back because that felt better to me, but I was surprised on how different the shoulder straps felt.  Many of the shoulder straps rubbed against my neck and bothered me.  The sales person really helped me out with his expertise and advice.  It probably cost $20-$30 more at the store than the internet, but it was worth it to get one that felt good and was the correct size.  I would have gotten the wrong size without the salesperson's advice.  Good luck.

I did the try-on thing and my PFD fits fine, I just have never been able to make it woek with the load of the stuff everyone says is prudent.

Hey all,

I'm new around here, I got this one, big pockets for stuff.

http://www.stearnsflotation.com/Competitor-Seriestrade-Life-Vest-P1437C22.aspx

hobie revo is what I paddle, or sail, or peddle (duh)

Hey all,

I'm new around here, I got this one, big pockets for stuff.

http://www.stearnsflotation.com/Competitor-Seriestrade-Life-Vest-P1437C22.aspx

hobie revo is what I paddle, or sail, or peddle (duh)

As you mature fishing, paddling. pedaling (not peddle) your Hobie, you most likely will get a another kayak specific PFD.  A good one starts at around $80.
I personally own the NRS Chinook. Stolquist and Kokatat are other popular brands.  I was checking out the Stolquist line yesterday at Sunrise Mountain Sports in Livermore and was very impressed with their quality and design.

I'm new around here, I got this one, big pockets for stuff.

Yeah, bigger is not always better and it can actually be a liability.  Bigger pockets means more stuff ends up in them and then when you are trying to reboard your kayak with all that stuff in your pockets, you'll be hating life.

when you are trying to reboard your kayak with all that stuff in your pockets, you'll be hating life.

I'm still pretty new, but this seems to be the case for me. Crap kept catching on the side of my Revo as I was trying to heave myself back in.

Since in calm weather you don't need most of the stuff we list as safety gear, I'm leaning towards using BlueKayak's idea of tethering yourself to the yak when conditions get snotty (or even just a strong current/drift), and maybe include a ditch bag in line with that.

Wow dwest, I like how you roll. You've clearly been paying attention. I agree with most of the suggestions here. (although, even the Mustang survival vest doesn't have big enough pockets for all the recommended safety gear...so it'll be a compromise regardless)
Dan, for kayak fishing in the ocean, you want to get a Kokatat, Stohlquist, Extrasport, or NRS brand PFD. Those are the only brands I trust.