Astral Throwbags

[crackboy]

Was wondering what peoples opinion was on these for a dedicated kayak throw bag?

I am looking to pick up a throwbag to keep in my kayak and this seemed like it fit the bill. Currently don't own an astral vest, but am leaning towards picking up the new rescue vest coming out. irregardless of that any one else using one?

any better alternatives?

thanks

[donutlynx]

To tell you the truth - I think they're a little short on rope length. Better off with something at least 75'. </$0.02>

[crackboy]

yea, i am not completley sold on it, but its nice and compact. though they did seem like a PITA to stuff if actually depolyed, very small mouth.

might just order a salamander

[donutlynx]

might just order a salamander

FTW!

The Spectra one is real nice.

[crackboy]

yea would probably go with the 70ft spectra little big mouth and if i pick up a green jacket when they come out, consider one of the astrals as a backup

[donutlynx]

That Green Jacket it pretty sweet. A 50-footer as a backup that integrates with the pfd would be bomber.

[RootSkier]

I rock a sweet 70' spectra Northwater that has a bunch of flourescent green detailing, making it super easy to see. It's also surprisingly small for a 70 footer.

[jm2e]

I'm sure people will disagree with me, as they so often do.
I've got a really old salamander that's been invaluable for years. Any bag you wear will be there when you need it. Just so long as it's tightly contained enough that it doesn't catch on something and kill you!

My opinion is that the bag you wear should be exactly as long as you can accurately throw. Makes for less bulk and prevents you from throwing a bag to someone who proceeds to pull another 20 feet of rope out while they recirculate in the big nasty. If you want more length, clip a longer rope in the back of your boat where it'll stay out of the way.
Just my 2 cents.

[RootSkier]

I refuse to wear a bag...but I NEVER scout without it and I can unclip it from where it lives in about .25 seconds.

[Flowtorch]

I like mine that stows in my astral pfd. It's always there and I hate wearing a bag too. I'm curious about the WRSI football throwbags for in my boat. Any comments on them?

Does anyone have a new Astral Green Jacket? Are they available yet or still being delayed? Is it a slimmer fitting jacket?

[crackboy]

re: greenjacket

a rep posted on boatertalk said they passed approval, waitng on a few things before final production with seal of approval or something like that.

the willis, which is what it is based off of is pretty slim. not nearly as bulky as the rescuevest. but who knows how it will end up after the rescue stuff.

[donutlynx]

I'm sure people will disagree with me, as they so often do.
I've got a really old salamander that's been invaluable for years. Any bag you wear will be there when you need it. Just so long as it's tightly contained enough that it doesn't catch on something and kill you!

My opinion is that the bag you wear should be exactly as long as you can accurately throw. Makes for less bulk and prevents you from throwing a bag to someone who proceeds to pull another 20 feet of rope out while they recirculate in the big nasty. If you want more length, clip a longer rope in the back of your boat where it'll stay out of the way.
Just my 2 cents.

That sounds right to me. 50 feet is pretty short, though.

I refuse to wear a bag.

It's always there and I hate wearing a bag too.

Might be opening a can of worms here, but why? Just wondering.

I wear mine up front, for easy access. Wouldn't catch on anything my pfd wouldn't catch on first.

[nate s]

I think it is not a bad idea for something easily accessible, not good for your only one unless your just playboating.

I personally don't like the idea of having a rope on me but I don't wear a tether on my vest either. If you have ever had to fight your way through a log jam underwater it will make you think twice about having anything on you that could snag.

[ilikesnow]

go both, i wear a small astral bag in the front of my vest. i pulled the rope out of the bag and removed the loop that acts as a carrying handle, and also took the loop out of the end of the rope that you hold on to. I dont like to have any real loops that could snag or clip, personal preference.

in my boat, i keep a 70ft spectra line as well. that way, even if i totally space when i get out of my boat, i still have a throw rope on me. and i find in the steep, harder stuff i run, i am generally closer to the potential swimmer... i.e. sitting at the hole they are going to get beat down in, so the 50 ft bag works fine for that. not always the case, but most of the time.

as for the WRSI bags:
i purchased a first gen bag and was not impressed but it. it threw very very well and straight, but was a huge pain in the ass to re stuff, and the shockcord lacing came apart pretty fast. I think they may have changed them for this coming season though.

[RootSkier]

Might be opening a can of worms here, but why? Just wondering.

I wear an Astral rescue vest, which I already think is fairly bulky. In the front pocket, I keep most of my pin kit, including a couple carabiners, prussiks, and a short sling. I also usually have a couple snickers in there.

I find that to be more than enough bulk (I kind of miss my Kokatat PFD which was much thinner and covered more area).

I used to wear a smaller Salamander bag, but if I wore it behind, it made it hard to get my skirt on (almost had a panic attack as the last off a sketchy seal launch one time), and if I wore it in front, it made it harder to tuck up tight.

Anyways, from day one of boating I had it drilled into me that I should carry a rope every time I get out of the boat, and so I do. It definitely pisses me off when I am boating with people and we are scouting...and I decide to go, and they are like, "Oh....my rope is back up there." So for those people...I can see the appeal of wearing a rope.

[Yonder_River]

I wear an Astral rescue vest, which I already think is fairly bulky. In the front pocket, I keep most of my pin kit, including a couple carabiners, prussiks, and a short sling. I also usually have a couple snickers in there.

I find that to be more than enough bulk (I kind of miss my Kokatat PFD which was much thinner and covered more area).

I used to wear a smaller Salamander bag, but if I wore it behind, it made it hard to get my skirt on (almost had a panic attack as the last off a sketchy seal launch one time), and if I wore it in front, it made it harder to tuck up tight.

Anyways, from day one of boating I had it drilled into me that I should carry a rope every time I get out of the boat, and so I do. It definitely pisses me off when I am boating with people and we are scouting...and I decide to go, and they are like, "Oh....my rope is back up there." So for those people...I can see the appeal of wearing a rope.

I have the Salamander as well, but haven't worn it in years due what you mentioned above and because I felt it got in my way even when worn facing backwards.

In other news, we have a pineapple express moving through and this weekend should be pretty fun.....as long as everything isn't blown out.

[donutlynx]

I think it is not a bad idea for something easily accessible, not good for your only one unless your just playboating.

I personally don't like the idea of having a rope on me but I don't wear a tether on my vest either. If you have ever had to fight your way through a log jam underwater it will make you think twice about having anything on you that could snag.

I hear what you're saying. My almost worstest river experience involved a pfd strap getting stuck on a strainer...underwater. Luckily I had a knife, and the presence to use it. Still have that pfd as a reminder. However, that only happened once in a thousand or so boating trips. What about your shoulder straps/side straps? I was snagged by the lower side strap on a Lotus Sherman, which was snug. Freak event? Maybe, but it happened nonetheless.

Anyway, my reasoning for carrying a rope on me is the same reason I carry my pin kit on me. Just like if it is your boat that gets pinned, what if you are in a situation that you have to abandon your boat in order to rescue? Or you're in need of rescue in a situation that needs more than one rope? Or what if your rescuer loses his/her bag?

I know, I know...what if!

Just getting a feel for the reasons why boaters do/do not wear a bag on them. Thanks for the input.

[crackboy]

yea i am with root, i was drilled into taking a rope with me to scout anything, so i don't think that is going to be an issue. I think i might just go with one of the "kayak" bags either the NRS one or the salamander little big mouth. both seem pretty compact, maybe if i ever get a rescue vest i will spring for the extra astral one if i go that route.

if anyone has any opinions on the salamander vrs the NRS kayak ones let me know

[Flowtorch]

Same as Root said. I feel bulky enough with my astralpfd and I want that freedom of movement, it hindered the skirt and just felt in the way all the time....that and i feel like I already have enough love handles around my waist, I dont need another one getting in my way when i'm carpin.

...thats a big reason why i was curious about the new Green jackets, a more slim fitting one like that kokatat is what i want.

[Flowtorch]

AHa, An astral guy just posted this on the buzz...

Astral announces USCG approval of the Greenjacket.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For Immediate Release
Date: 11/7/08

Asheville, NC - The Astral Buoyancy Company officially announced that the new Greenjacket has been approved by the US Coast Guard. This highly anticipated whitewater rescue jacket continues Astral’s legacy of producing truly innovative and environmentally considerate buoyancy products for the core market. Originally slated for release in Spring 2008, the testing process had been extended until October when the jacket passed as a pullover entry. Today the final paperwork arrived at Astral’s Asheville, NC headquarters.

The Greenjacket is the successor to Astral’s popular Aquavest 300 and Wonderpro series, and is designed on the platform of Foam Tectonics where the front buoyancy panels are split into two parts. This separation enables the paddler to have unrestricted freedom of movement as well as the ability to customize the height of the front panel. The Greenjacket is offered in three size options, providing an excellent fit to both women and men. The Greenjacket provides increased back protection over previous models and Astral’s signature safety features like an integrated throwbag pocket and spectra safety loop.

Philip Curry, owner of Astral ecstatically commented that “November 4, 2008 will be a day we happily remember for a long time, the Coast Guard finally approved our kickass new rescue jacket, and the people of USA chose Barack Obama our next president.”

The Greenjacket is constructed without toxic PVC and carcinogenic neoprene. All excess raw materials are recycled.

For additional information on the Astral Buoyancy Company visit www.astralbuoyancy.com

MSRP $209.95

--
Bryan Owen
Astral Buoyancy Company
895 Broadway St.
Asheville, NC 28804

[crackboy]

thats awesome. if it fits just like the willis, its going to be bitchin

[jm2e]

All good points. You carry just as much as you're comfortable with and nothing more. You plan for the one and a thousand chance because you plan on going out a thousand times. I wear my bag because that's what I've done pushing rubber for so many years and I've used it a bunch of times in clutch situations. The Salamander comes off really easily if it gets snagged.
The point about a life jacket getting caught on branches as well is valid, but it also supports the idea that your pfd should fit you really well so it's not as easily snagged. And each new item you add to the costume adds to your risk. Weigh the pluses and minuses for everything. A pfd is gonna be easier to get unstuck than 50+ feet of rope that just started pulling out of your throwbag while you were hung up or getting tossed around under water.

Just to add to the soup, there's a lot to be said about using the most stripped down low buoyancy vest out there. No rescue straps, no pockets, no buckles, no rope, just enough floatation to keep you face up if unconscious but let you swim out the bottom of holes. How 'bout them apples?

[RootSkier]

No thanks, I want to have the ability to do live bait if the need ever arises.

In any case, PFDs approved for whitewater use will probably not keep you face up if you are unconscious, anyways.

[jm2e]

Valid point. Hopefully they'll let you bob around near enough to the surface that your friends can see you.

[markb]

I paddle with plenty of folks who don't have a rope attached to them, but I can't imagine going that way. With the delayed snow I've had some late season low water little white runs that have seen multiple pins each time. 3 or 4 times I've had to jump out of my boat as fast as possible to grab a bud's stern or bow (one particularly ugly one at nasal douche without enough water to get right) where there's no way I'd first take the time to grab a bag. Twice it was nice to have the bag without having to let go of the boat.

I've had a bag on my jacket since lotus started making them (95-96?). They're much smaller than a salamander (have that too, don't use much) so I never notice it, but have made quick draws many times. I carry something longer also, but I treat the little bag hanging on the back of my jacket as another piece that's always there with the knife, whistle, belt and tow.

My ancient Lotus rescue'll have to be retired soon and the integrated Astral bag pocket seems perfect.