There are two things that I dislike about these discussions: the Holier than thou attitude I perceive in some and that some see no shades of grey.  There is a big difference between not wearing a PFD on a clam lake in the middle of August when air and water temps are quite warm and not wearing a PFD on October on a windy day with big waves.  There are different degrees of danger and we all draw a line on when to wear a PFD in a boat.  Depending on conditions and the type of boat, we all decide at some point that a PFD is prudent.  We just disagree on where to draw that line.

And I suspect there are some here who scoff at anyone who does not wear a PFD in calm August waters yet they themselves do not wear a wet suit (or partial wet suit) when paddling in cold spring or fall waters.  That seems hypocritical to me.