The black crabpot buoys are very easy to see, and they are about the size of a quart bottle. @Buffalo_Alice summed it up. An 18 inch diameter submerged log only has about 1 inch above water, but boaters see that. Go figure!
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Itās hard to beat sale prices. Especially in todayās economy. I was considering a black/grey NRS Clearwater PFD for $55 from Walmart. It just had a 10 day shipping period.
I never thought a big box store like Scheels would mark items down like that. I couldnāt pass it up. Iām glad it fit right too.
I was interested in an air belt too. I may look into it, as that would be even more comfortable.
Huh, Iāve never seen an Astral V8 in mustard yellow. Might have been a demo model. Though they do make the fisherman version of the V8 in a khaki tan color. And Astral does often change their PFD colors from year to year.
Re finding your PFD in an unexpected store, with the rise of people buying through Amazon, a lot of retail stores have begun taking advantage of the opportunity to buy job lots of catalog returns from Amazon and their vendors. For a lot of online sellers, processing returned goods to resell them is not worth the bother or expense so they just wholesale returned items in bulk to companies that will, in turn, sell packages of them to brick-and-mortar stores. There is a chain called Gabeās here in PA and Ohio that gets a lot of their stock that way. I often pick up great deals on quality outdoor gear from North Face, Columbia, Prana, Clarkās, Gerry and even Patagonia at Gabeās for as much as 80% off original prices. I once got an $800 Pottery Barn wooden desk there for $65.
By the way, if you have any degree of colorblindness (which is common in men, in fact one in every 8 men is red-green colorblind to some degree), the pumpkin orange that is one of the colors Astral uses for the V8 will appear sort of golden wheat or brownish yellow color.
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Itās the soil tan color that is listed on Astrals website.
Dijon mustard yellow is just my hot take on it.
If thatās the case with the store buying a lot of returns, then It definitely makes sense on why this store was able to sell this at such a low price. I figured the price was because of the ugly yellow color. In todayās world returns are frequent, so I am sure they would rather take a small loss or small win on a PFD like the one I got.
I wish I had a store like Gabeās! I have bought a few items from Patagonia when they have their yearly salary. I like how Patagonia tries to pay fair wages to their employees. Unlike most of clothing companies.
Looks good. Nothing wrong with that. Dijon!
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It sure does! That was my guess on why it was marked down half price.
You did score ā I can tell by the details on the image you posted that is the newest version of the V8 and a newer color. My older one (bought 10 years ago) doesnāt have the larger pockets and the surface mounted waist belt.
This is why you carry a flare gun, fired directly towards the drunk power boater and across their bow. generally causes a immediate course alterationā¦
Not saying you should do it, or admitting I have done it, but it works.
But I find theyāre not the problem it is the ones who like to see āhow closeā they can get and wake swamp you or capsize you.
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I prefer a 44 magnum through the engine coverā¦
Well I just plunked down $230 for an astral blue jacket which they modified slightly and renamed. Almost identical to what Iāve been wearing the last few years and mine is red in color just like my last one I think I got about 3 years out of my previous model but itās looking pretty faded now
Mine is going to last way longer then thatā¦because I donāt wear it.
No problem since you are apparently seldom, if ever , in the water.
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Come and get someā¦
Whatever PFD you buy, make sure itās not too tall (maybe ālongā is a better term) on your torso. If you can try it on, imagine being in deep water. Will the belt or waist strap likely be able to keep the PFD from floating up into your armpits?
I find that no matter what PFD I use (I have a number from different outlets), when Iām in the water they all end up riding up. About 50 years ago, dinghy racing, I learned about PFD crotch straps. When I know Iām going in (e.g., I know Iām going to be doing rescue drills), and especially when Iām anticipating long-ish crossings, I use a crotch strap. I think mineās a Stearnsāthe tag/label is long gone but a search shows the same color web and design on a Stearns.
On some PFDs I have to be a little creative to attach it to the PFD straps. It is not uncomfortable to sit on, and when youāre in the water the buoyancy trying to raise the strap into oneās privates is not an issue to me (usually, Iām thinking about getting back in my kayak). My current ābestā PFD, a NRS Chinook OS, because I like lots of pockets), has enough side strap length that I can make a simple overhand knot. The front attachment is on a loop the PFDās belt passes through.
Some people I paddle with think itās odd, but I like having my PFD supporting me without rising up and lifting my chin.
@mjac is in a class of his own. The vast majority of kayakers on this list always wear a properly fastened PFD when sea kayaking. In most jurisdictions you are at least required to have one readily available, but try putting one on when in the water holding on to your boat, paddle, and any loose gear. If you lose hold of your boat on a windy day with your PFD fastened to it, there goes your only source of floatation faster than you can swim.
If you choose an inflatable PFD, which I personally donāt recommend, most jurisdictions then require it be worn, not just available.
According to the USCG, the overwhelming number of deaths in small craft involve people not wearing a PFD. Comfortable fit is very important as you may be wearing it for an extended length of time.
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