I've been looking at getting a jacket style PFD for a while now, but
haven't been able to find one that fits properly. Being on the XL
side of the human genome (like 2XL size), I try to find safety gear
that is practical and comfortable for me - which, I'm here to tell you
is practically impossible. [1]

I looked at the Mustang series jackets, but their idea of 2XL needs a
little work - the 3XL isn't even available as far as I know.

As it happens, my wife is more than aware of my constant quest for
size comfort in clothes. She came across an article I missed
concerning Orca Gear Float Tech jacket. She called the company and
asked some questions. They in turn asked some questions and they came
to a consideration that the 3XL is probably what I needed. She
ordered it and I received it for Christmas.

What a great surprise!

It fit perfectly - it's long enough, full enough through the sleeves,
shoulders, the internal PFD is very comfortable and the jacket is
very good looking being a yellow/dark blue combination. Self or
manual inflating which is a bonus.

I'm very impressed.

http://www.orcagear.com/

Later,

Tom

[1] I'm not THAT big, but I'm an odd size - I'm almost 6'4", weigh in
at 240 at my heaviest (that varies by 30 pounds), but I have a 30'
inseam, long torso and arms and rather broad shoulders.

On Sun, 26 Dec 2004 13:35:42 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

She came across an article I missed
concerning Orca Gear Float Tech jacket. She called the company and
asked some questions. They in turn asked some questions and they came
to a consideration that the 3XL is probably what I needed. She
ordered it and I received it for Christmas.

=====================================

They certainly sound like a whale of a company.

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
I've been looking at getting a jacket style PFD for a while now, but
haven't been able to find one that fits properly. Being on the XL
side of the human genome (like 2XL size), I try to find safety gear
that is practical and comfortable for me - which, I'm here to tell you
is practically impossible. [1]

I looked at the Mustang series jackets, but their idea of 2XL needs a
little work - the 3XL isn't even available as far as I know.

As it happens, my wife is more than aware of my constant quest for
size comfort in clothes. She came across an article I missed
concerning Orca Gear Float Tech jacket. She called the company and
asked some questions. They in turn asked some questions and they came
to a consideration that the 3XL is probably what I needed. She
ordered it and I received it for Christmas.

What a great surprise!

It fit perfectly - it's long enough, full enough through the sleeves,
shoulders, the internal PFD is very comfortable and the jacket is
very good looking being a yellow/dark blue combination. Self or
manual inflating which is a bonus.

I'm very impressed.

http://www.orcagear.com/

Later,

Tom

[1] I'm not THAT big, but I'm an odd size - I'm almost 6'4", weigh in
at 240 at my heaviest (that varies by 30 pounds), but I have a 30'
inseam, long torso and arms and rather broad shoulders.

I can relate......I'm over 6'6 and have only 34 inseam, and about
250-260......arms are 36-37.....It is a PITA finding suits and jackets that
fit.

On Sun, 26 Dec 2004 18:23:47 -0500, "P. Fritz"
wrote:


"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .
I've been looking at getting a jacket style PFD for a while now, but
haven't been able to find one that fits properly. Being on the XL
side of the human genome (like 2XL size), I try to find safety gear
that is practical and comfortable for me - which, I'm here to tell you
is practically impossible. [1]

I looked at the Mustang series jackets, but their idea of 2XL needs a
little work - the 3XL isn't even available as far as I know.

As it happens, my wife is more than aware of my constant quest for
size comfort in clothes. She came across an article I missed
concerning Orca Gear Float Tech jacket. She called the company and
asked some questions. They in turn asked some questions and they came
to a consideration that the 3XL is probably what I needed. She
ordered it and I received it for Christmas.

What a great surprise!

It fit perfectly - it's long enough, full enough through the sleeves,
shoulders, the internal PFD is very comfortable and the jacket is
very good looking being a yellow/dark blue combination. Self or
manual inflating which is a bonus.

I'm very impressed.

http://www.orcagear.com/

Later,

Tom

[1] I'm not THAT big, but I'm an odd size - I'm almost 6'4", weigh in
at 240 at my heaviest (that varies by 30 pounds), but I have a 30'
inseam, long torso and arms and rather broad shoulders.

I can relate......I'm over 6'6 and have only 34 inseam, and about
250-260......arms are 36-37.....It is a PITA finding suits and jackets that
fit.

I hear you. My wife gave up buying off the rack and now requires that
any suit or sport jacket that I purchase for any reason, is custom
made.

Good thing I don't need many suits any more. :)

Later,

Tom

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
I've been looking at getting a jacket style PFD for a while now

Do you mean a type 3 lifejacket, or a harness (or jacket) with
inflatable flotation?

Personally, I see no sense in trusting your life to a water balloon, no
matter how fancy it's packaged. There are a number of type 3 lifejackets
on the market (including the Mustang brand) that are very comfortable
and provide excellent flotation.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

On Sun, 26 Dec 2004 21:23:20 -0500, DSK wrote:

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
I've been looking at getting a jacket style PFD for a while now

Do you mean a type 3 lifejacket, or a harness (or jacket) with
inflatable flotation?

Personally, I see no sense in trusting your life to a water balloon, no
matter how fancy it's packaged. There are a number of type 3 lifejackets
on the market (including the Mustang brand) that are very comfortable
and provide excellent flotation.

It's not a "balloon" and just between you and me, the Mustang jacket
sucks. It maybe fine for normal sized people, but for me, it's
horribly uncomfortable.

However, to give Mustang their due, the auto inflate PFD is very
comfortable and I have six on them in my carry bag - one for all my
passengers. I insist people wear PFDs on my boats.

Oh, and no beer. :)

Later,

Tom