its way past time to replace my tired old jacket, years of sailing / storage and abuse in both cases has certainly taken its toll


simple..... search eBay etc etc for a new one.....

not so easy .... what type do I need these days


so what are you using and where did you get it from

Kingy

I'm using the Zhik pfd. I really like them.

Ill put out a second for the Zhik PFD. The range of motion it's it is really good and it is not as thick as some are on the back which makes it easier to get under the boom. I've about worn one out and am on my second one. I've found it superior to most of the kayaking vests when kayaking too.

Any experience with Zhik wetsuits?
Are they worth the high price in terms of durability/quality?

The hybrid neoprene and fleece is worth the price. I replaced a custom 4 mm spring suit with one. The hybrid is a lot more comfortable and is warmer too. If fact I have had a issue with it being too warm. This year I wore a thin windproof fleeces instead of a dry top, on marginal days, and it was about right.

Having your new wetsuit arrive in a 8.5 by 11 envelope, is a shock. but it does let you know, there is something different. It is not all hype.

Has Zhik gotten around to getting USCG approval for their PFDs? Took Gill forever too.

Mike

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

Protesting someone for wearing a CE certified life jacket would be very unsportsmanlike.
I've just bought a last year's model Magic Marine PFD (got a 50% discount), its very comfortable and doesn't interfere with both trapeze and the occasional chicken wire:

Absolutely not true. We don't get to pick and choose what rules to enforce or not enforce. Personally, I wear a CE jacket, but I understand the risks associated with it. If someone protests me for it, I'll accept the consequences and move on. However, I will not protest someone for wearing one. That is probably more unsportsmanlike than protesting someone for wearing one because I have chosen to ignore a rule.....twice. Once by wearing the CE jacket, and once by opting to not protest someone that I know is breaking a rule.

Could we include a waiver in the SI's (much like we do for a one turn penalty instead of two for a foul).

"CE certified or USCG approved life jackets are permited." Then you could sleep at night knowing that you didn't face a conundrum

Not sure if you can do that.....

Rule 40 Change rule 40 title to: PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES; LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT
After rule 40 add
US Sailing prescribes that every boat shall carry life-saving equipment conforming to
government regulations that apply in the racing area. Go to
ussailing.org/racingrules/documents and click the ‘PFD’ link for more information.

Nope, Can't get around this rule because it's set by USCG. That's on the list of rules that can't be changed in the SI's because it's the law of the land.

Nope, Rule 40 cannot be modified by the SI (rule 88.2). There is a way around it per rule 88.2.

US Sailing prescribes that sailing instructions shall not change or delete rule 61.4, Appendix R, or its prescriptions to rules 40, 67, 70.5(a) or 76.1. However, for an international event the prescription to rule 40 may be deleted.

Very interesting on the rules nuances.

Thanks Dave for pointing out the events where protests are more likely are also the larger ones that attract international teams. Does that make them an international event? I.e how is that defined?

Let's see ... hmmm .... our next regatta is the International Summer Sizzler held in Daytona Beach June 22-23.

No Problem.

Oh, BTW, CE AND USCG life jackets approved.

OK, from that highly subjective piece of "jourlanism" I learned that Zhik is trying to get approval.

With all of the hoopla after recent tragedies involving trapeze boats, you'd think the agencies would be looking to improve this.

Of course, if you're knocked out, you're going to wish you were wearing the right vest.

Mike

And a helmet

The best I can do at the moment is:

G1.1 (b)

at all international events, except when the boats are provided to all competitors, national letters denoting her national authority from the table below. For the purposes of this rule, inetnational events are ISAF events, world and contentinental championships, and events described as international events in their notices of race and sailing instructions;

Hmm, so the North American Championships are international right? Considering more Canadians (better bring the bacon!) are currently registered than U.S sailors (I know, I'll get on that in a month or 2).

Here's my thing, if you get knocked unconscious, you're pretty hosed until someone gets to you, or you happen to not be under the boat (fat chance, read the latest accident reports). In these cases, a buoyancy aide should provide enough floatation to keep your head near the waters surface. No Type III PFD is designed to keep your mouth clear of the water, like a Type I that you might be wearing 20+ miles offshore on a 30+' vessel in the same rough conditions you'd get trapped under your beach cat in...

Yes, from the get go it's been an international event. It's called The America's Chapionship this year.