Baller skiboyny Posted June 30, 2012 Baller Share Posted June 30, 2012 Looking for a vest that floats and maybe provide a measure of safety. Used to the light weight non USCG approved. Are there any out there that are lightweight and flexible? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MattP Posted June 30, 2012 Baller Share Posted June 30, 2012 I know Eagle sells some and can make a non CGA with extra foam so that it floats higher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ToddL Posted June 30, 2012 Baller Share Posted June 30, 2012 I have an Eagle vest (group buy) with the extra sheet of foam. It was added to the back panel. If I relax, I quickly go face down in the water. Face-up floatation is a primary element of the USCG approval. For my next Eagle, I'll ask for extra foam in the front only. I am not trying to make a USCG approval equivalent, but just would hope that it wouldn't dunk my face so assuredly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ed_Obermeier Posted June 30, 2012 Members Share Posted June 30, 2012 A couple of us in my primary skier group are using the Radar X vest. It has extra thick padding in the side panels, perfect for those occasional rib shots to the wake. Probably not as light as you're looking for though, but reasonably flexible and very comfortable. Used an Oneill The Law vest before that, was perfectly happy with it also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAJ0004 Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 I have an old Ski Warm, and I have Connelly neo. Both of them are Coast Guard approved. The fines in PA are heavy if you don't have them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skiboyny Posted July 1, 2012 Author Baller Share Posted July 1, 2012 Thanks for the input everyone keep it coming. To add to my dilemma, I can't have any buckles that protrude I seem to scrape the hell out of my arms if they do. Anyone have any experience with O'Neils revenge, HOs Access. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sunvalleylaw Posted July 1, 2012 Members Share Posted July 1, 2012 I have skied for yeeeaaaarrrrssss in a USCG O'Neill with neoprene shell. Very comfortable vest with good floatation and nice mobility from the arm holes. I am sure their new one would be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAJ0004 Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 O'Neill vests are very good. I have owned one in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller rawly Posted July 2, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 2, 2012 Just got the HO System vest,the buckles don't protrude,provides plenty of protection without loss of mobility.Check it out on their site.It added one bouy to my P.B.(just sayin) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razorskier1 Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Jeff Rodgers skis with that vintage Overton's vest. Seriously, I don't know anyone who wears an approved vest. Too much bulk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller unksskis Posted July 2, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 2, 2012 The new Oneill USCG is amazing. It has lumbar support, and the buckles are inside, concealed by the zipper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waternut Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 I have the Radar X vest as well. They aren't cheap but it's one of the newest designs allowed by the USCG. The vest has a smooth exterior so you don't chafe yourself on it. If you're using decent form, your arms fall perfectly into the pockets between the padding on the front of the vest too. I can vouch for the rib protection. I've broken ribs skiing twice in the last few years from a side impact. For the record, these are the only bones I've ever broken in the last 25 years so it's not because I have weak bones. I've fallen a few more times similar to the rib breaking falls with the new Radar vest and I was perfectly fine. As for the front buckles... How the heck do your hit your buckles? I will hit buckles on the el cheapo vests but anything decent that is adjusted properly has never been an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller rawly Posted July 2, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 2, 2012 I assumed he was talking about the straps and attatchment points,not the buckles themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skiboyny Posted July 2, 2012 Author Baller Share Posted July 2, 2012 Thanks I just ordered the Oneil Revenge vest. Everything is tucked in. I can return it locally if I feel it's to bulky. As for hitting the buckles, It was on an older Oneil and I'm not sure if it was actually the buckles or the attachment points as rawly mentioned. I'll let everyone know how the Revenge pans out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lb Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 I sink like a stone, just bought a BARE on ebay for short money lots of flexibility and weighs about 1/4 of what my O'neil does wet and floats me much higher in the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skiboyny Posted July 4, 2012 Author Baller Share Posted July 4, 2012 lb which Bare vest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jipster43 Posted July 4, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 4, 2012 I've been thinking about getting one of these: http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Vinyl-Adult-Flotation-Vest&i=14478&aID=600H1B&merchID=4006 Floaty and light, but it may be uncomfortable - I dunno'. It may also lack durability, but c'mon! It's stylish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ral Posted July 4, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 4, 2012 @jipster43,when I was a kid the only thing I wanted was a vest like that... until I got it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sunvalleylaw Posted July 4, 2012 Members Share Posted July 4, 2012 Yep. Ripped yellow foam rubber edges. The one I used said Connelly on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller A_B Posted July 4, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 4, 2012 I had a white one for river skiing. Major arm chafing. A crack the whip wipeout on a tube run ripped it in two pieces. I think it said impact resistant to 65 mph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lb Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 skiboyny this is the vest I bought http://www.ebay.com/itm/360460420589?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Hugh Nichols Posted July 5, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 5, 2012 Those old Super Soft vests are great for slalom. One of the things I liked was it was not cold and wet when I went for a second set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Killer Posted July 5, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 5, 2012 @GAJ0004 you should double check the laws on PFDs and waterskiing. Most jurisdications allow a skier to wear a waterski specific floatation device, as long as you have a PFD on board. We MUST maintain this standard for our sport. Barefooting and trick skiing in particular are in jeopardy if PFDs are mandatory for a skier.. I checked the PA regs and I'm amazed at how detailed as well as naive the laws are in that state, I think I need a PHD to understand it all, but you can elect to wear a waterski specific "wetsuit" if you meet certain criteria... http://www.boat-ed.com/pa/course/p4-12_reqspectopwc.htm http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/058/chapter109/s109.4.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAJ0004 Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 @Killer I wear a wetsuit for tricks and barefooting which PA allows, but otherise if you are on a slalom ski the vest must be USCG approved, but the neo vests I wear when I slalom work fine for me. I like having padding especially when I was skiing at 36 MPH. I wear wetsuit shorts too. I hate having my swim trunks flap around in the wind. You still have to have USCG approved PFD's on board for each passenger/skier. The combination of skiers/passengers cannot exceed the capacity on the boat's capacity plate. If you are towing more than two skiers at once you have to have a trail boat. In the cold water I wear a regular 4 buckle nylon vest over my drysuit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAJ0004 Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 The old Ski Warm vest I have is very stiff, but fits tight. It has big arm holes that allow for freedom of movement, but it has padding where you need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skiboyny Posted July 6, 2012 Author Baller Share Posted July 6, 2012 Just got the ONeil Revenge. I don't think I'm going to use it. I'm tempted but It's really HEAVY. In all fairness when I put it on It's very comfortable. No restrictions all concealed Lumbar support. I guess I just thought by now they might have some different foams that would be lighter. If I were to gain 10 or 15 lbs of fat, (non functional weight) I think my skiing would go down a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mopowpow Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 I used the women's version of the non-USCG for several years. It has a little more flotation than most non-USCG vest, but not as bulky as the USCG vests. You are right, it is heavier than most, but very comforatable. My biggest complaint was the dry time... I did like the lumbar support, I miss it in my current vest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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