PFD vs Buoyancy Aid

[acvanhaaren]

Hello All,

First timer here... Hoping to get feedback in regards to PFD/ Buoyancy aids. What do the small boat sailors out there prefer? What is required in collegiate racing? If you are really feeling ambitious what would your ideal jacket look like?

The more info the better.

Thanks in advance.
-AVH

[Hydra]

It depends on the type of sailing one will be doing: on a dinghy in sheltered waters with a rescue boat close, one needs a buoyancy aid compatible with efficient swimming, to be able to rejoin the boat after capsizing.

On my cruiser, I have auto-inflating PFDs that can turn an unconscious MOB to keep his head up but are not convenient for swimming, because the MOB wouldn't be expected to swim back to the boat. I selected 150N buoyancy because I considered it's a good compromise (buoyancy - weight of PFD / weight of crew).

Alain

[StuM]

Maritime Safety Queensland have a good guide to their requirements under various conditions. I'd use that as a guide regardless of where you are.

Lifejackets (Maritime Safety Queensland)

[Foolish]

The most important thing is to chose the one that you will actually wear - all the time. So find what you are most comfortable with and stick with it. A PFD with head support that you don't wear offers much less protection than a racing vest that you wear. I once saw a whitewater kayaker die because he was too cool to wear his racing vest during a practice run.