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Kamper · 06-19-2007, 07:32 AM

I dont remember seeing new kapok PFD's in decades. Maybe they were in catalogs but not in stores.

I think the reason they fell out of favor was primarily the expense. Many folks just caried this gear because they had to and never really believed they would need it, so why pay more? We all carry safety gear because it's smart, right?

Experience has shown that closed-cell foam is more durable in use and storage than kapok stuffed items. Cheap and durable material make the transition an easier decision for everybody. "Grandfathering" the exisitng articles (as long as they are servicable) reduces the whining from the few operators who still old stuff.

Speaking of old stuff... I had some cork life-jackets. They had a manufacture date in the 50's. The blocks of cork felt sound but the canvas was failing. This seems to parralel nylon and foam PFD's. The shell fails before the flotation does. With kapok it's the opposite.

06-19-2007, 07:32 AM	#9
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,306 Thanks: 67 Thanked 171 Times in 127 Posts	I dont remember seeing new kapok PFD's in decades. Maybe they were in catalogs but not in stores. I think the reason they fell out of favor was primarily the expense. Many folks just caried this gear because they had to and never really believed they would need it, so why pay more? We all carry safety gear because it's smart, right? Experience has shown that closed-cell foam is more durable in use and storage than kapok stuffed items. Cheap and durable material make the transition an easier decision for everybody. "Grandfathering" the exisitng articles (as long as they are servicable) reduces the whining from the few operators who still old stuff. Speaking of old stuff... I had some cork life-jackets. They had a manufacture date in the 50's. The blocks of cork felt sound but the canvas was failing. This seems to parralel nylon and foam PFD's. The shell fails before the flotation does. With kapok it's the opposite.