PFD for female sailor :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

PFD for female sailor

johnoau

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Dec 16, 2020

Last visit: Sep 04, 2023

Posts: 52
Posted: Apr 19, 2022 - 10:38 PM

Hi All,

After any recommendations for PFD's for a female sailor?

The Mrs' currently uses an Ultra Females Kayaking PFD, and it tends to ride up to her neck, and becomes annoying and uncomfortable.

I currently use a Hobie WT4, and have found it very comfortable, and the additional strap that goes under the trapeze hook keeps the jacket from riding high.

The Mrs tried mine on the weekend, and the strap helped, but due to height difference, (she's 5'5 and I'm 6'), the shoulders were quiet high on her. We' planning on having a look at a smaller Hobie PFD, but was wondering if there were any other suggestions for suitable PFD.

Cheers,

Johno

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1335 XTSea Nacra 5.8 NA
605 Nacra 4.5
Cleveland Yacht Club
Brisbane, AU
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cholley12

Rank: Mate

Registered: Feb 28, 2018

Last visit: Feb 13, 2023

Posts: 145
Posted: Apr 20, 2022 - 02:03 AM

My wife wears a Betsea from Stolhquist

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Captain Chris Holley
Fulshear, TX
'87 Prindle 19 "¡Hijole!"
'74 sunfish "1fish"
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onemorecat

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 25, 2019

Last visit: Jul 29, 2022

Posts: 43
Posted: Apr 25, 2022 - 07:03 PM

My wife is fond of her manual/auto-inflate slim profile PFD. There are a variety available from WestMarine, Amazon and other sources.

If you are frequently wet the auto-inflate function can be turned off, leaving it at manual inflation (gas cartridge activated with a pull). This is somewhat riskier and may not be your preference, in which case a traditional PFD is probably a better choice. My wife leaves the 'getting wet' part (especially when launching or landing) to me, so she's only had one accidental inflation event.

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Tony H
Hobie 18
Sailing Mission Bay and nearby CA
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venturecatlady

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jun 20, 2022

Last visit: Jun 20, 2022

Posts: 2
Posted: Jun 20, 2022 - 05:49 PM

I second the Stolhquist life jackets for females. I'm a d cup and hard to fit a jacket, mine stays put. Cheapest model is around 60 bucks.
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: May 22, 2024

Posts: 7089
Posted: Jun 22, 2022 - 02:35 PM

I am not a fan of using inflatable life jacket style PFD's on a beach cat

The risk of accidental inflation is pretty high with all the side to side movement in a small area, and the frequency beach cats capsize compared to other boats

I had one inflate on me when i was trying to jump off a boat because a line got snagged on my pull handle and inflated - they are VERY uncomfortable when inflated and ANY time in the water with the cheap plastic edge/hem scratching up and down your neck sucks x100