This may sound harsh, but....

Gree, you're apologizing to the wrong person. You should be apologizing to your cute girlfriend for being an irresponsible skipper.

It sounds like you've really got it going on with this girl....don't screw that up by being stupid. Wear your own PFD and ensure that everyone on your boat does as well. In your earlier post, you stated that you were indeed pushing the boat, and that's obvious from your pichpole.

Your friend may not look quite as hot in a bulky PFD, but it's a lot better than how she'll look in the morgue.

Wear your PFDs while you're on the water, and push the boat to its (and your) limits. Take off her PFD (and whatever else you can) when you're off the water.

Get all you can out of your rides, but live to ride again another day!

Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi

First of all, I guess I was being less than careful, and I know that we should always have them on, I seriously think that was one of the only times that we didn't. I hadn't really thought about it the way you put it above, they should be on the entire time on the water.
Now as for the pitchpoll, you don't have to push a 14 to make it pitchpoll, i think that thing has lead in the bows to make them dive.
But, okay from now on they are on the entire time!

I always wear a PFD. One unplanned jibe taught me that is hard way. DAMM boom puts a BIG knot on your head and will REALLY ring your bell. ALWAYS be safe rather than sorry.

Doug Snell

I always wear a bicycle helmet for the same reason. Had a few good knocks on the head on my H14. Then I discovered the reason for the traveller... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> The traveller on my H14 is the old slider tyoe so since calling it a "slider" is a bit of an exaggeration with them I didn't get in the habit of letting it out so I got a few good cracks on the head to get me in the habit. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> In the meantime on my Tiger and the 14 I always single hand so I wear the helmet.... just in case... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Excellent!

And congrats on the new (to you) boat....SWEET!

Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi