Take responsibility for yourself.
There are not enough people in the very large
size range to make the expense of testing and approval practical for manufacturers.
Clip-on body strap extensions are the preferred method of accommodating large people.
An additional length of body strap be added to a yoke/bib style PFD
The same types of materials should be used as in the approved PFD.
The PFD manufacturer may be willing to provide the clip-on body strap extension.
The user should then test the modified PFD in the water.
For a person with a chest size over 130 cm (52 inches),
using an adult universal PFD with a clip-on body strap extension
does not void the USCG approval.
A PFD manufacturer (or anyone for that matter) may produce an un-approved device
for larger persons without Coast Guard approval.
Test in the water. - Test in the Water - Test again
Mid Michigan There used to be a whole web site devoted to us overweight. Wes’s something or other. Unfortunately he let the web site lapse and now we’re left with nothing but guessing and word of mouth.
There are lots of specialty kayak shops in Michigan. I’m not from Michigan, but there are plenty of people here who are. Maybe somebody can help with ideas. Good luck!
Thanks Thank you for all of the responses. Stohlquist has what looks like a very good selection in adition to the fishing line. I want a good comfortable vest so that it doesn’t end up on the deck or (worse) on the beach. I also want to set a good example for my children while paddling. The articles were also an interesting read.
Check camping/fishing shops and general marine stores like West Marine. This Buoy-O-Boy has a loose fit, there is no narrow waist. It's made like a coat, not like a "bomber jacket" of a typical kayaking PFD, and if zipper won't close, you still have a belt. My Buoy-O-Boy was more comfortable - it had several narrow 2-inch vertical foam panels instead of a few large panels like this on the photo. I saw them (like mine) in kayak and canoe rental shops, you may go and check too (and they sell it for $25 used).
PS: not a good example on the photo - this one is definitely a "non-paddling". Mine BoB had no collar.
Willi All great points you make. I will go to the store to check build quality. I see that it is USCG approved but any type III gives you only minimal protection and is not a “Rescue Vest”. I am not a beleiver in the “more $ is better” school of thought. I will be doing mostly flat water on small lakes in fair weather, and rivers only with groups of paddlers and I’m a fairly strong swimmer. Thankyou for the input.
extrasport I work part time at a livery in the summers and we have put extrasport livery universal jackets on some huge guys. One bouncer came in and was well over 400 pounds. The vest looked like a postage stamp on the guy, but it fit.
Kokatat Bahia Kokatat Bahia. I have two of them in the XXL size, one regular, one the touring model with extra pockets. Very adjustable, and pretty comfortable.
The people hardest to float are those with compact, dense bodies. These tend to be people with athletic body builds, with a lot of bone and muscle mass, and not much fat. Fat is not as dense as muscle and bone, so people who are overweight can actually be easier to float than someone who is much smaller and leaner. Heavy people do not need a higher buoyancy PFD because of their weight.
Most require only about 11 pounds of extra buoyancy to keep their head out of water. That is why a PFD with just 15.5 pounds of buoyancy can provide adequate flotation for an adult -- even a very large person. PFDs with 22 to 34 pounds can provide superior performance.
Dunham’s I’m 6’ and 250, I got a PFD from Dunham’s (don’t know the brand right off hand) but it’s made for kayaking and they go up to at least 2 and maybe 3x sizes. The one I have is great for me and the straps still have plenty of play room, they’re about 40 bucks on sale.