I have a pretty old Extrasport which I love, fortunately it has held up great, read on to find out why...

We've been shopping for life jackets for the new helm who is used to sailing college dinghy's, i.e non-trapeze boats. Her old life jacket got thrown out (long story), hence the shopping. Basically none of the USCG approved life jackets fit the bill for a trapeze boat. They all have a ton of padding, especially on the front side that can interfere with the trapeze hook. Apparently the rules were changed recently and the new USCG life jackets have more padding. Like twice as much as my USCG approved Extrasport. Personally I feel these have reduced safety in our particular sport, as mobility and ability to swim out from underneath a capsized boat are reduced.

The Zhik would work great as on a trapeze boat, and is classified as a buoyancy aide. Reading this article it hasn't been an issue in the protest room: http://www.sailingworld.com/gear/the-battle-for-a-better-pfd