I meant most kayakers
on this forum. They seem to lean more touring/sea or maybe I just haven’t been here long enough.
Anyway, since my last post I went to the Astral website and see the the Ronny IS made for high back kayak seats. I should know better NOT to listen to a salesperson!!!
I guess I was thinking that the high back pfd would make it OVER the high seat back but am now figuring it’s actually made to go ovet a low back seat. Guess if I went for the Ronny and later upgraded my kayak to something with a low back seat that there would be a chance that I would want to opt fot a different pfd maybe???
If you read the replies from the top
of this thread it will be easy to see where I got the idea that it should be a high back pfd. Those were the suggestions I was getting so now we all know why I am confused!
Another thought:
If you are not too far from NRS or any other outfitter.
Go back, put various PFDs on and sit in some of their kayaks that hopefully are on the floor.
You might luck out and find the one you want or the ones you don’t want
Jack L
Or buy
2 different styles that fit well and sit in my own and then take one back. At REI the kayaks are standing up. Guess I could get a similar one on the floor.
terminology
I think there is some confusion here about “high back” and “low back” re PFD’s and seats. I blame it on Astral by muddying the issue by touting the Ronny as “ideal for high backed seats”. It works for ALL kayak seating arrangements, not JUST high-backs. The only feature that makes it advantageous for high backs is the ventilation channel over the upper spine. Other than that it is the same functional back as the Camino and Norge. Besides the V8, I have a Camino and the women’s version of the Norge, the Abba. The Abba/Norge have partial kapok fill which makes them slightly softer and more flexible than the 100% foam Camino.
When Celia was explaining shorter backs she meant a normal full foam back like the Ronny, which is what MOST kayaking PFD’s are made like. Only a few models have the half foam backs like the V8 (maybe what you are calling “low back”?) where the flotation is only in the upper part of the back and the lumbar area is unpadded mesh or nylon. These half-backs would probably be a problem with the super high seat backs put in some rec boats and fishing kayaks (these are for lounging, not for active paddling – high backs inhibit effective paddle strokes).
Since you are going to be in a standard sit inside touring boat you would not have a seat like that anyway. Either a half-back or a full-back flotation vest will work with your Carolina. If you are concerned about future changes, just go with the Ronny or a similar style. It will work for any kayak.
There are longer bodied PFD’s that many canoeists favor since they don’t usually have seat backs at all. But most of the Astrals are short enough for kayaking. I’m very short-waisted and all three models that I have are fine for me and don’t interfere with the seat backs or spray skirts.
My Opinion
Hey,
Just wanted to toss in that I personally just bought the Ninja this weekend and I LOVE it. I couldnt be happier. I purchased the Astral V-8 because of the mesh back and its openness, however after paddling for a period of time the bulkiness of it just is too much. My friend is also swapping her v-8 for a ninja (gotta love REI)
stolhquist rocker
http://www.backcountry.com/stohlquist-rocker-personal-flotation-device?CMP_SKU=STO0049&MER=0406&skid=STO0049-MAN-SM&CMP_ID=PLA_GOc001&mv_pc=r101&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&mr:trackingCode=EB3D4B66-B028-E111-87D9-001B21A69EB8&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&gclid=CL6U8OCp2s4CFQwwaQodffkKrg&gclsrc=aw.ds
have lots of pfds (astral, extrasort, nrs, seda) but the rocker is the one I usually pick to take out, it’s weird to put on, only covers part of my beer gut, has limited pockets but I’m happy in it. It’s like a part of me.
in the winter I take out my nrs big water guide jacket- its like wearing a winter coat and floats me high if I do end up swimming in frigid water, just more cumbersome to move in so it’s a trade off
I’ve got some commercial grade rafting vests with head flaps that I usually give to beginners, wife likes the astral jacket I got her- cut well for a woman
I put on my rocker on and I’m good to go: canoeing, kayaking, rafting, or in a ducky so I’m not getting this whole thing about seat backs- I tend to slouch a lot but that ain’t a good thing in my book!
used to kayak in a “high float” and push the bottom of the vest up so it wouldn’t rub on the skirt and cockpit rim so much. That worked to.
With any jacket you should jump in the water every now and then and make sure it still floats you well. they do degrade over time. I need to do that again before the water gets cold since thus far I’ve had a dry hair season.
Think I got it!
I had never seen a pdf with the half foam high on the back with nothing low back before 2 weeks ago. I also didn’t know anything about different kayaks! To me it seems like it’s made to go above a seat back so that your back is in full contact with the back of the seat.
Hoping to go out with some folks tonight and again tomorrow morning leaving fro two different shop/rentals so by this time tomorrow I should have a better handle on this. Both times will have a loaner from two different sources.
Jack
You feeling ok? Wearing a PFD? Next thing you know you’ll be using tie downs… Hope all is well
Shhhh !
You’ll ruin my reputation
Jack L
Check Out West Marine Labor Day Sale
They got all kinds of PFDs reduced in price, from all sort of inflatables imaginable to various varieties of “life jackets.” I think I’ll drive down and check out their “Dynamic Move Life Jackets” for $29.95? Anyone use them?
Last comment
I still have to actually do this to know for sure, but are you saying that the Ronny will be ABOVE the seat back on my Carolina (which is higher than a simple back band)?
maybe, maybe not
I guess I’m still not making the point. The V8 is the only vest I know of that would always have all the back flotation be above a standard kayak seat (I know a few other makers have models like that, but they are rarer than full foam backs). The Ronny has fairly thin foam along a full back so it is likely it would end up being between your back and and at least part of the seat back. The foam in the Ronny MIGHT clear the seat back IF you had a low back band and were very long in the upper body. Like most PFD’s, the back flotation goes down to the wearer’s waist on most people. In fact, that is how most kayakers’ PFD’s fit.
Really, this makes SO little difference in use that I would not worry about it at all in selecting a style. As I’ve told you, I wear either type with any of my boats. The shorter foam in the V8 just makes it cooler on hot days.
Astral V-8, new design
I’ve had an Astral V-8 for several years. I like it, and the one time I flipped my kayak, I was very glad I had it on. But most of the time I’ve been wearing an inflatable, because the back piece of the V-8 had an annoying tendency to ride up, and even though it was cut high, it still hit the back of the seat in my Skimmer 128.
Astral has redesigned the V-8, and I tried my new one this week. The back piece is smaller and higher, and the PFD is more comfortable. Just about perfect now, at least for me. I used it while paddling the Suwannee (where I would not use an inflatable) and pretty much forgot I had it on.
good short video on vest selection
A recently mounted website on kayaking safety has a nice little video on PFD selection that covers all the bases in 6 minutes:
http://www.paddlesafely.com/photovideo-gallery/
Thanks!
Thank you. I think my Carolina has a similar seat as that one in the end of the video.
stohlquist coaster
Just got my kayak today and tried on diffent pfd’s and this one really fit well. Thin back all the way down so no riding up on you. Low cut neck and pockets if needed. I did not pay this price, but close to 100 bucks.
https://www.amazon.com/Stohlquist-Coaster-PFD-Mens/dp/B013XSOEYS
So I went kayaking
with some members of the Long Island Paddlers and a couple of guys brought some pfd’s that I could borrow for the day. One guy brought a few for me to try and said I could buy one if I liked.
So I am buying this one from him
http://www.harmonygear.com/products/6129/Harmony-AF-65-Life-Jacket-PFD-Closeout.html
for $40. It seems discontinued and went for $89. This one looks brand new. I like the way it fits! I like the taper in the frontas my arms don’t come near touching it.
Thanks for all the help from here!!!
Just noticed in the review
that it states it is a “female” pfd!
all good but a range
The Trekker has more storage, but personally I like the other Stohlquist. Not a bad price either. All of those are good PFDs.