USCGA or Non

HyperliteBoarder · Posted: Jan 25, 2003 2:07 pm Post subject: USCGA or Non

What do you guys think is better? And are there any CGA vests that feel light like the nons?

ghettolake415 · Posted: Jan 25, 2003 2:45 pm Post subject:

no CGA are usually alot skinny therefore alot more comfortable.that's what i have and i love it. it's a HL.

bizzuck · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 593

i havent ridden one that is close, but i love my stance!

JD · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 320 City: Bellingham

I have both USCGA Jet Pilot Stance and Non CGA Jet Pilot Stance Vests I just bougt my Non CGA so I haven't got to ride with it yet but it is definetly lighter but it seems thich enough to float really well. Maybe I should go jump in the lake to try it out. Nah to cold right now.

Jim M · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 2933

I wouldn't use a non-cga vest if you plan on taking hard falls. I know so many people that made the mistake of buying a non-cga as a first vest b/c it felt lighter or looked cool or whatever, NOT worth it. The good cga vests from Jet Pilot, OBrien, ONeill, etc.. all have much thicker and stronger neoprene, the Jet Pilot is super comfy b/c of the neo-stretch.

Non-cga vests do have practical uses though- wakeskating, comps, cool for photo shots, boat buoys, yep thats about it.

King of the Tigers · Posted: Jan 25, 2003 7:13 pm Post subject:

I personally hate non-uscga. No support in the water. It's almost like what's the point in wearing a jacket at all if it's not going to keep you up.

ohsix · Posted: Jan 25, 2003 7:17 pm Post subject:

christy · Posted: Jan 25, 2003 7:18 pm Post subject:

I agree with King.... what's the point? Your mom isn't going to care how cool you looked when she has to bury you.

chubby · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 487 City: NC

its all about the non. I mean theyre specifically designed FOR wakeboarding, so if thats what your gunna use it for its the better choice. I mean if they're gunna make a vest thats lighter and more comfortable and also more flexible they also have to make it have enough float so that its actually useful. If they were peices of crap that dont do anything like alotta of people here say, why would people buy them? why would shops sell them? and why would the pros support them? Why dont people just wakeboard w/o a vest?

To put it in simple terms, theyre more flexible, lighter, and comfier. and i have never heard about anyone dying from wearing a NON cga life vest.

ohsix · Posted: Jan 25, 2003 9:03 pm Post subject:

Jim M · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 2933

Companies market them and sell them because consumers see them in mags and vids and eat them up. Just like they do for $12 binding lube worth 12 cents and $2500 steel piping worth $250. Call any companies customer service or any shop and see if they recommend a non-cga as a primary vest, they will say 'no way man'.

I don't trust non-cga b/c I have seen so many riders come up after a hard fall and say 'man that was a scary situation' referring to the vest not doing its job. My worst complaint w/ non-cga is that it can take a few more seconds to surface after a hard fall, enough to get disoriented. The whole 'floating you chest up' thing doesn't matter w/ a board on, but the amt of buyoncy does. Also its great they are thin and lightweight, but that means less impact protection. I have a Hyperlite molded and its real nice, but I wouldn't dare put it on if I am going any harder than 50%.

bullzeke69 · Posted: Jan 26, 2003 2:26 pm Post subject:

I'm going to throw my $.02 in on this. My bro is a Chief in the USCG and I asked him, his thought on the NON-CG jackets he said well it is up to the person because you can not control the water and if you get disoriented under the water at least you will pop up to the top. But he also said that one of the rules about being on the lake or any type of water in an water vessile is that you MUST have an approved CG jacket for every one on the vessile regardless. So if you have the cash to pay the ticket you might want to keep both jackets in mind and on the boat.

Chukee_R · Posted: Jan 26, 2003 5:49 pm Post subject:

I have a non cga Jet Pilot side entry stance and it keeps me floating just fine. I haven't had one problem when i've taken a hard fall and I dont pop right back up. I dunno that's just my 2 cents maybe it has to do with water density or something Wink

Shawn Madison · Posted: Jan 26, 2003 6:58 pm Post subject:

I would go with a Coast Guard Approved vest if you have the option. I have both. I suffered a renal tear last year wearing my Hyperlite Noncga vest and it was supposed to protect my kidneys. Also, it offers little flotation support and on hard fall-it takes a second or two to get my head above water. They make the CGA ones very light and tight now-they just cost a little more too!

King of the Tigers · Posted: Jan 26, 2003 10:17 pm Post subject:

Yup, like Jim M said it's about the cool, Chubby. I personally prefer spins on the wakeboard and notice no loss of flexibility with my highly boyant USCGA ski vest over my friend's slightly more buoyant than a wet T-shirt non-cga wakeboarding vest. Plus I think my vest is way cooler!

ohsix · Posted: Jan 26, 2003 10:54 pm Post subject:

MadDog · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 465 City: Upstate NY

I have a JP NCGA molded vest that floats me really well. My old vest was a CGA neoprene that was really bulky, and didn't float me any better. But it seems to me to be all personal preference.
-dog

noneya · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 796 City: Roxboro, NC

I got a concussion kneeboarding and definetly couldnt swin or tell up from down after that. CGA vest definetly saved me. So obviously I wont wear a non approved vest and everyone on my boat has to wear an approved vest. The difference in floatation is mainly based on body density (fat content) my friend who had a non-approved vest that would float him OK, would float me at about eye level.

WRRide · Posted: Jan 27, 2003 7:49 am Post subject:

My non-uscga floats me a little under water but as long as the people in the boat watch they can get back to you quickly if there is a problem. My dad was wearing a USCGA approved vest a couple years back and got knocked out he was floating face down. What's the difference? either way your face is in the water.