Well I finally got myself a PFD and I have to say I wish I had got one when I first started.
Not only do they keep you warmer, but water starts are so much easier!! If you are still learning water starts, I highly recommend getting one. It so much easier to move the sail around when you dont have to be treading water at the same time.
Agree with you big time re keeping the chill out. Sailed all off season, bar one day in a spring suit. And water starts are second nature, cos I cant gybe for sh1t
Mine's even got a couple of small zipped pockets for the all important catapult with mars bar chaser in the middle of whoop whoop.
I bought one around March. In those cold winter winds the boyancy vest certainly does keep you a bit warmer. Not sure about the waterstarts though. Hopefully as the weather warms up I won't do my damnest to stop falling into the water.
yes indeed to all the above, I started with an old sailing one and chucked it after 2 days as I was getting suffocated when ever I was in the water. It was horrible 
and I went without one for some time, however I now have one of those fancy NP ones and it rocks!!! Very good for WS's.
I bought a NP pfd recently and Mineral told me to thread the bottom strap through the harness hook(as opposed to under the hook) as it prevents the strap from unhooking and letting the jacket ride up.
Works great,Thanks Mate.
Got a NP vest myself and had two sails with it. For a newbie like me Im drinking about 2 litres less seawater each sail.
Not to mention its handy to be able to keep your car key on you and not worry that someone saw you hide it before you went out.
Definitely worth the investment.
