My 2011 one has been great but is starting to die. Can you get one with an inbuilt pocket for a camelback? I tie mine on the back of the old one but it hangs down and is starting to pull apart the lining where it's attached.
Here's a link to a 2018 one ( I know it's english- just the first one that popped up). It doesn't look like it has a pocket?
www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/2018-neil-pryde-elite-hook-50n-buoyancy-aid-black-vc01106-p-20972.html
Looking at these now but not sure how big a camelback they can carry? I've got a 3 ltre for those strong wind days to help me stay down on the water..
www.ion-products.com/water/kiteboarding/protection/vests/booster-x-vest/

Here you go Sue, NP make a camelpack that clips onto the back of a NP harness.

Been looking around for a good vest, I liked the ion one but worried about the opening for the camel back flooding with water every time you try to waterstart.

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AUS4 said..
Here you go Sue, NP make a camelpack that clips onto the back of a NP harness.

Looks ok. Do you know how many litres it can take? I really need the option of 3ltres for those strong days..

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Ben1973 said..
Been looking around for a good vest, I liked the ion one but worried about the opening for the camel back flooding with water every time you try to waterstart.

You could probably put drainage holes in the bottom of the slot?

This is what I'm using at the moment. It works ok but it is tearing the lining off the vest..maybe repairable but the whole vest is pretty old.
Also the camelback tends to hang down and pullback a bit if I fill it right up..

when u are in town next, go to pro ski, near market town & bring your harness.
go in see al & u can try on all the impact bouncy vests with your harness on,
like I did at xmas. no need to buy a so called special sailing vest from one of the big brands.
wake boarders impact vests hav more padding than a sailing vest.

Is it a camelpack or weight jacket your looking for, if you're drinking 3 litres of water while your sailing you are drinking too much.

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AUS4 said..
Is it a camelpack or weight jacket your looking for, if you're drinking 3 litres of water while your sailing you are drinking too much.

I suppose it's a compromise..keeps me hydrated plus a bit of extra weight.
I do drink a lot so the idea doesn't work great as extra weight. Often by the end of the session there isn't as much weight in the camelback. From what I've heard using a camelback means that it's buoyancy neutral once in the water so I don't go glub glub if I fall in like if I wore weight..

A pro limit weight vest has as much, or more, bouyancy (mine still floats with 8KG of lead in it) and will easily handle 2-3 KG of lead weight. You could also slip the camelback in tha back compartment if you really must.

My advice: Ditch the large Camelback and use the same amount of lead - BUT - only when you really need it. You will sail longer and easier without it most days and enjoy it more. I found that even 3-4 kg of extra weight on the upper body tires me out a LOT faster and makes me more prone to injury.
No one 'needs' to drink water when you are only on the water for an Hour or two. It's a furphy.

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sailquik said..
A pro limit weight vest has as much, or more, bouyancy (mine still floats with 8KG of lead in it) and will easily handle 2-3 KG of lead weight. You could also slip the camelback in tha back compartment if you really must.

My advice: Ditch the large Camelback and use the same amount of lead - BUT - only when you really need it. You will sail longer and easier without it most days and enjoy it more. I found that even 3-4 kg of extra weight on the upper body tires me out a LOT faster and makes me more prone to injury.
No one 'needs' to drink water when you are only on the water for an Hour or two. It's a furphy.

Might check it out. Yeah I wore out the days I had the camelback full. I drink heaps because I have my mouth open humming or singing and dry out..or I'm on the edge and have it open in shock..
Which Prolimit do you use?

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AUS4 said..
Is it a camelpack or weight jacket your looking for, if you're drinking 3 litres of water while your sailing you are drinking too much.

+1
Cant bear these thingos, more annoying than anything else, rides up to your neck.
Do you sail for hours on end for the need to carry water?

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sboardcrazy said..
This is what I'm using at the moment. It works ok but it is tearing the lining off the vest..maybe repairable but the whole vest is pretty old.
Also the camelback tends to hang down and pullback a bit if I fill it right up..

I have that on a NP Vest. NP make a bouyancy vest and an impact one, Work out which one it is athat you want and find the best fit. Be aware of its rating if you plan to enter any comps as impact vest wont be allowd quite possibly
I really enjoy being able to have a drink out on the water and its great to be able to rince your mouth whether you fall in alot or not. Keep using it.

I have the ION Booster X vest. The entire back panel is one large pocket, seals with a small velcro tab at the top. Your camel pack should fit but it will be snug - and you may only get 2L of liquid in, 3L might be pushing it. There are 3 little holes at the bottom of the back pocket to let out water out after water starts. There is also a small plastic clip on the inside of the back pocket at the top to secure stuff.

If local regulations are an issue?, the tough part will be finding one that is Coast Guard approved, though I bet the ranger/sheriff isn't going to be checking tags... But would rather not risk it as windsurfing is already expensive enough!

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AUS4 said..
Here you go Sue, NP make a camelpack that clips onto the back of a NP harness.

You do look like you need a new vest!
I have this arrangement that clips onto the NP vest. I see the current model vests still have the tabs for these to clip onto.
You do need to shorten up the tapes so it doesn't hang off your back too much.
Potentially you could add a strap that goes across the middle of it to keep it more snug.
The pouch has two pockets so you can have the hydrapak in one and some lead in the other.
the pockets have large openings at the corners so they don't fill with water.
Don't try to carry a spare fin in one though - I lost my fin when I did that - it slid out without me even noticing. - you need to be able to close that flap for things to be secure
The Hydrapak itself is 2 L. It is completely washable and replaceable. So is the mouth valve if that wears out.

I get very thirsty when sailing in summer too. If I am going to be out for an hour or more I need a drink.

The NP vest is acceptable for local racing events - PFD type 2
It is a good fit and does not ride up even when waterstarting

Daffy's right, drink your 3 litres of water before you go out and leave the camel pack in the car. Then rehydrate with beer while you derigg

The impact vest I got is rated at 50s, 70kg+.
Is suitable for the gps & slalom events we run in NSW.
Harness hook sits just bellow were the zipper starts.
They hav about 10 15 diff types & shapes. cumfy fit or
pro fit, pockets & pouches.

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Rob11 said..

AUS4 said..
Is it a camelpack or weight jacket your looking for, if you're drinking 3 litres of water while your sailing you are drinking too much.

+1
Cant bear these thingos, more annoying than anything else, rides up to your neck.
Do you sail for hours on end for the need to carry water?

Do you sail for hours on end for the need to carry water?
Yes..

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FishMints said..
I have the ION Booster X vest. The entire back panel is one large pocket, seals with a small velcro tab at the top. Your camel pack should fit but it will be snug - and you may only get 2L of liquid in, 3L might be pushing it. There are 3 little holes at the bottom of the back pocket to let out water out after water starts. There is also a small plastic clip on the inside of the back pocket at the top to secure stuff.

Thanks everyone..I mended my Neil Pryde for the short term but will chase up the Ion and NP ones..Might suss out generics next time I'm in town too. Unfortunately I don't think any local shops would have the Ion or NP to look at.
I suppose I can keep the old one for when I need a bit more water / weight..
It's helpful to get real world feedback as the pics on the internet don't show the pockets up well.

www.vaikobi.com/collections/men/products/new-v3-ocean-racing-pfd-fluro-yellow-grey

That looks interesting. It's very small I wonder how buoyant it is?
I ended up getting an older Neil pryde vest, one that has the bigger pocket and tabs for the camelback.
I got yellow for visibility on Lake Macquarie but I probably should have got red.
It works well now I'm using the top tabs to support the camelback.
Sorry, mobile upload.. grr