Inflatable PFDs, pocket-loss replacements?

[fishwizzard]

I have been looking at replacing my current "normal" PFD with an auto-inflate one for yak use.  The biggest stumbling block so far is the loss of storage.  I keep the following in/on my vest:

• Whistle
• Knife
• Pliers
• Line cutter
• Phone w/ tether
• Little thing of sunblock
• Pack of cigars/lighter

 

Some of that stuff can be stored off-body but I want to keep a lot of it on me.  I can't layer over the PFD and I don't think like a fly vest under it would work.  My yak is on the smaller side and I really like keeping the deck as clear as I can.  

 

Anyone figured out a good solution for this?  

[MN Fisher]

I picked up a hip-pouch at the local Renaissance Fair some years back - planning on using it as replacement for the pockets on my old vest as I'll be running an Onyx AM/24 in the boat.

[Choporoz]

It is a good question.   A real problem for me, too.   I have a lanyard around my neck with whistle, boomerang snips, hook file.  I have another lanyard also around my neck, with my phone.  I really like Rogue for phone.  I keep lighter, cigar cutter, keys, wallet in pants pockets.  The cigars go under my seat.  Pliers, jaw spreaders, other stuff just goes on the deck in front of seat, or in little pocket I riveted on.

[fishwizzard]

3 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I picked up a hip-pouch at the local Renaissance Fair some years back - planning on using it as replacement for the pockets on my old vest as I'll be running an Onyx AM/24 in the boat.

 

 

I have tried using a tool pouch at my waist before but it was forever getting snarled on the diagonal strap at the rear of my seat.  

 

I was thinking of getting a small fannypack and wearing it under the vest like a sling, still a little bukly but not as bulky as a foam PFD maybe? 

 

 

2 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

 I keep lighter, cigar cutter, keys, wallet in pants pockets.  

 

I try to keep my pockets empty for both comfort and security reasons.  A few times I have had my wallet work it's way out of my front pocket after a few hours of squirming around in the chair.  I have cargo pockets I keep it in now, but I really don't want to add anymore stuff down there either.  

 

 

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, fishwizzard said:

I was thinking of getting a small fannypack and wearing it under the vest like a sling, still a little bukly but not as bulky as a foam PFD maybe? 

Course in the canoe - the only thing in the vest pocket was the battery for the shoulder-camera so that's what'll be in the pouch.

Cargo pants are great for carrying things...and that's what I wear on the water. Phone, cigs, lighter in the extra pockets. Small pliers for hook removal and the line-snips on retractable badge holders clipped 'somewhere' on me.

 

[Choporoz]

5 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

 

I try to keep my pockets empty for both comfort and security reasons.  A few times I have had my wallet work it's way out of my front pocket after a few hours of squirming around in the chair.  I have cargo pockets I keep it in now, but I really don't want to add anymore stuff down there either.  

I hear you....I use zippered cargo type pockets in fishing pants for wallet and readers.

[fishwizzard]

I realize what I want is contradictory, less bulk on my chest/back but at the same time I want all this stuff accessible.  

 

The only things I really need on-body are the whistle, knife, phone, and wallet, I am going to focus on a solution for that stuff and look into some kind of mount for a tool pouch in the cockpit with me for the rest.  

[Darth-Baiter]

20 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

I have been looking at replacing my current "normal" PFD with an auto-inflate one for yak use.  The biggest stumbling block so far is the loss of storage.  I keep the following in/on my vest:

• Whistle
• Knife
• Pliers
• Line cutter
• Phone w/ tether
• Little thing of sunblock
• Pack of cigars/lighter

 

Some of that stuff can be stored off-body but I want to keep a lot of it on me.  I can't layer over the PFD and I don't think like a fly vest under it would work.  My yak is on the smaller side and I really like keeping the deck as clear as I can.  

 

Anyone figured out a good solution for this?  

I could not get past the loss of pockets 

I carry knife, whistle, sunscreen, phone and spare GoPro batteries.   I also reserve a pocket to cram cut line and food wrappers. 
 

im set in my ways.

[cyclops2]

I agree. I carry a Handheld VHF locked on USCG channel. All Electronics in a zip lock bag in my trouser pockets.

[king fisher]

They make inflatable fishing vests with the same pockets as a regular fishing vest.  I have used one from Stearns for years in Alaska, but I do there there are other brands in the same price range, and a few better ones that are more expensive.

[Bankc]

Sounds like you're in the market for cargo pants. 

 

I keep all of that stuff in waterproof containers, except for my knife, whistle, and pliers.  The pliers I keep next to me in their own holder, and the knife I keep in my pants pocket.  The whistle is attached to a string attached to my PFD, usually clipped to a strap to keep it in place.  None of that other stuff needs to be accessed immediately. 

[fishwizzard]

53 minutes ago, Bankc said:

Sounds like you're in the market for cargo pants. 

 

I keep all of that stuff in waterproof containers, except for my knife, whistle, and pliers.  The pliers I keep next to me in their own holder, and the knife I keep in my pants pocket.  The whistle is attached to a string attached to my PFD, usually clipped to a strap to keep it in place.  None of that other stuff needs to be accessed immediately. 

 

I have tried cargo pocketed shorts but I don't like the bulk in there either.  I stand/sit a lot so keeping things clear and secure it really important.  

 

1 hour ago, king fisher said:

They make inflatable fishing vests with the same pockets as a regular fishing vest.  I have used one from Stearns for years in Alaska, but I do there there are other brands in the same price range, and a few better ones that are more expensive.

 

I looked around a little and didn't find a pocketed one from Stearns but did find this one from Mustang: 

https://mustangsurvival.com/products/hit-inflatable-pfd-md3183-02

 

It's got a small pocket but seems like overkill for my uses, I tend to sick to small impoundments and/or places so shallow that I am rarely more than a few dozen feet from shallow water.  

 

https://mustangsurvival.com/products/mit-70-automatic-inflatable-pfd?pr_prod_strat=copurchase&pr_rec_pid=4623364292653&pr_ref_pid=4361321938989&pr_seq=uniform

This is the one I have been looking at.  I am going to try and see if I can find anywhere near me that stocks them to see how relatively bulky they are. 

[cyclops2]

Cargo pockets in long trousers. Then cut them to the lengths you need for different heat & humidity. I wear white long legs tucked into cotton socks. No sun lotions or biting flies.

I look like Mr Good Humor out fishing covered in a white outfit.

 

No sun lotions needed. The cloths remove sweat fast. I look odd . Because I am odd.      ☠️

[A-Jay]

10 minutes ago, cyclops2 said:

Because I am odd.      ☠️

 

We're ALL odd.

That's what makes us so special . . . 

A-Jay

[MN Fisher]

39 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

 

We're ALL odd.

That's what makes us so special . . . 

A-Jay

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

A-Jay

[padlin]

I use hiking pants with zip off legs. Have low front zip pockets on the front and another small one with the zipper in one of the upper front pockets. Can't keep stuff in the other pockets in the canoe, thing tend to fall out. Some kind of man made fiber so they dry real quick. I only keep on me what I'd want if I were to flip, which has yet to happen.

[schplurg]

In the yak I carry as little as possible on me. Multi-tool on the hip, maybe external camera battery in my PFD if I'm using one.

 

Sunscreen goes in the crate, I use it maybe once after I launch.

Phone goes in dry storage (leave me alone). Keys too.

Whistle around my neck.

Smoking stuff, if I had any, would definitely go in the dry hatch. I carry matches in my box that has the extra prop and tools. I always want a way to make fire, never know.

 

I use a foam PFD and don't need more bulk. Pants pockets same, hard to get my hand into anyways. I want as little on me as possible. My yak has all these cool little pockets and things to store that stuff

[K1500]

The Hill People Gear chest pack is the answer to your problems. 

[fishwizzard]

1 hour ago, K1500 said:

The Hill People Gear chest pack is the answer to your problems. 

i have a little flyfishing chest pack, but I don’t think it will be easy to access under the PFD and I obviously cant wear it over top it.  

[schplurg]

Was looking at these a few days ago:

 

Track Mounted Tool Pockets

 

This tool pouch mounts to your track and hangs inside. Can hold pliers, maybe a scale, few things. Bunch of companies make them.

 

There are pouches that mount behind the seat, or beneath it. Drawer systems under the seat.

 

I don't want anything on me that will get ruined if I fall in - phone, lighter, wallet - or that can fall out and sink like keys. Relocate items you don't really need on your person.

[K1500]

You can wear a HPG chest pack under an Onyx A/M inflatable. It is one of my most used pieces of gear when hiking, riding 4-wheelers, or kayaking. I don’t use it on my bay boat, but it’s perfect those activities where easy access to all your stuff is paramount.