Pacific Yachting

With Safe Boating Awareness week happening across Canada from May 21–27, 2011, we searched the archives to see what has changed in boating safety trends since the 70s.

This Mustang ad from May, 1977, shows a cutting-edge new design in personal flotation devices. The ad boasts that the U-Vic Thermofloat “combines style and comfort” while protecting against the cold and keeping you afloat.

Our favourite part of the life jacket is how easily it transforms into a one-piece romper when you “deploy” its convertible shorts. The snap-on shorts “protects your vital groin and high heat upper body area from numbing cold.”

In addition, the ad recommends the shorts be worn when sitting in cold sporting stadiums, bicycling or while sitting on any surface that could be cold, damp or hard.

This ad has us wishing that modern-day PFDs were as stylish, versatile and comfortable as the U-Vic Thermofloat.

Back in June, 1969, Pacific Yachting magazine, or journal as it used to be called, cost 50 cents, gas was only 35 cents a gallon and our covers were a little racier (and we're not talking about sail racing).

A PY staff member recently spotted this unusual catamaran moored on Lake Osoyoos. Equipped with twin trapeze and twin floral loveseats, this cat gives a new meaning to the term "cruiser racer."