This appears to be one of the most fun threads in quite some time. So I think I will throw my comments it.

Shawn has not broken any laws in making a flotation vest. He can make all the vests he wants and the Coast Guard will not care. It is what he does with it they care about about. If he uses it in a situation where a Coast Guard approved PFD is required, then he has broken the law. And, if they catch him at it they will care.

Breaking the law is an option open to Shawn. He can opt to break the law, and wear the vest. As George Roberts points out the Coast Guard can also opt to confiscate his kayak. Does the intrinsic value of wearing a home made, customized, floatation vest (instead of a $25 legal one from Kmart) out weigh the risk of getting one’s home made, custom kayak, with 300 hours of labor, confiscated? Shawn will have to answer that one for him self.

Trying to out smart the Coast Guard and carrying a legal vest on his deck may not be a great idea either. A Coast Guard Officer might take it as a person affront and confiscate the anyway kayak He could claim the illegal vest interferes with the proper operation of the legal one. Actually I think Shawn might be able to beat that argument in court. However his kayak would still be in the hands of the feds, for several days at least…. with all that that implies.

This does not mean there is no value in making the vest. Without ever using it (and thus breaking the law) there is the intellectual value in the creation process. There is also potential for increased personal esteem from the accomplishment. These alone might be enough for some people to make a vest.

Beyond the above items, making the vest might enhance his understanding of what he wants in a commercial (legal) vest. If commercial makers hang out on this board, they might see it and use the ideas to make better vests. Who knows, making that vest could even land Shawn a job with a manufacture like Kotatat. If that does happen, Shawn, if you can get me a Kakatat Gortex Dry Suit on an employee discount, that would be very cool!

Don