On Wed, 05 Oct 2005 18:01:56 -0700, chuckgould.chuck wrote:


Certain situations, such as single handing, call for PFD as well. I
wear an inflatable pfd when I take our 36-footer out by myself. To me,
it only makes sense to do so. I don't plan on falling overboard (and
99% of the people who do fall overboard don't plan on it, either), but
if I'm by myself and fall in nobody is going to hear me holler for help
or notice that I'm gone.

Trouble is, when singlehanding in the waters we do, a PFD simply means
you'll die from hypothermia rather than drowning. Wear a harness!!

Going overboard is BAD, especially in cold water, rough seas (poor chance
of being sighted), etc. I feel the PFD is overrated: many feel "safe" just
because they have one on. Sure, wear one (there are some comfy, stylish
ones out there!), but don't think you're safe just because you're wearing
one.

Case in point: the original accident cited in the OP. Several victims were
trapped in the boat: a PFD makes it pretty much impossible to escape from
inside a boat.

But I agree with Chuck about situations: I ALWAYS wear one in a sailing
dinghy, almost never in the 36-ft sailboat (although I do sometimes wear a
harness)

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36