A couple of days ago I bought a Pelican Castaway 100 from Academy. Can't wait to get it out for the first time, but with the rain were supposedly gonna get might have to wait a while.

There's 4 holes under where my legs would rest while sitting in it, 2 under each leg. Do I need to buy plugs for em? Probably a dumb question I know.

Also, I have some of those cheap orange life vests that go around your neck that I bought when I got my canoe. But I was thinking with this heat maybe one of those self inflatable life vests would be a good idea since they're less bulky. Last time I went to Lake Raven in my canoe I took the orange life vest off after about 5 mins because it was too uncomfortable due to the heat an bulkiness. Would there be any big cons to the self inflatable vest while kayaking? I've also seen the kayak vests that have the pockets, but I assume those would get uncomfortable as well.

All info and ideas are appreciated.

Those are the scupper holes. They allow the water to drain that splashes in but if left unplugged they will let a little in. Just depends on how its sitting in the water and water conditions. I always keep mine plugged but remove them when I need to let water out. I never used an inflatable PFD. The kayak PFD's are cut away to allow paddling.

Those holes I believe are for drainage, you can plug them if alot of water is coming into your kayak through them but I leave mine open in the back of my Outback for water drainage.

As for the life vest you want to get as slim and non bulky vest as you can get, something that is not those orange ones. You should get a paddlers life jacket (they kinda of look like a tank top almost) that give you full range of motion in the shoulders to make paddling easier and more comfortable, the last thing you want is a vest that chafes. I know a few guys that have a self inflating vest and they do love them but I know they can get rather expensive for a good one. I have a paddlers vest that cost me about 75 dollars and I am more them happy with it, even wearing it in 100+ deg heat it doesn't really bother me and it is skinny enough that it is no uncomfortable to wear. I have used it wade fishing before and have had no trouble with it getting in the way or even feeling uncomfortable. Mine comes with 2 zip type mesh pockets that I do like for storing my fishing license and my whistle but other than that I don't have much use for pockets on my life jacket but that is my personal opinion. Also on that note, make sure you have a whistle attached to your vest too comply with Texas laws for kayakers.

A life jacket IMO is one of the most important things on your kayak, spend the time to find one that is comfortable and one you enjoy wearing so that way you won't take it off and something bad happen to you.

In all actuality you don't have to wear a PFD at all, just have one on or in the kayak. For the longest time I just had one of the cheap orange vest stuffed down in the bow. Now I wear one all the time!! Don't forget your whistle.

Ok awesome thanks guys. I think I'll try the paddlers vest first. As for the whistle, would I still be within the law if it's one of those small air horns? I have one I bought when I got the canoe.

I use an automatic PFD, and highly recommend them.

http://www.basspro.com/Mustang-Survival-Tournament-Inflatable-Vest/product/74459/-1192332

They are expensive, yes, but incredibly comfortable. I completely forget that I even have mine on, so I have no excuse not to wear it at all times.

You can find good deals on them if you look around. I think Academy makes one that is priced pretty well.

West Marine has them for $69 right now.

Well that is a dang good price, that is less than I paid for my current life jacket.

The horn would work, but a cheap whistle on a lanyard attached to the life vest would be right there within reach should you end up in the water away from your kayak.

Any vest type life jacket will work with any kayak but in order to wear it at all times it needs to be comfortable.

You can take it off if you are going to be in water you can stand up in but you need to have it within reach and not stowed below deck.

Kayaking is a safe sport, but you have to take the necessary precautions to keep it that way, and a kayak can flip and have you in the water before you ever figure out what you did, so keep that in mind.

Be safe and have fun!