just like the saying with riding motorcycles goes, "It's not if you go down, but when."
Better to be safe than sorry and keep in on always.. if you flip in open water, you wan't it on you vs it floating away with your yard sale..
Also, there was a story a couple years back about a younger gentleman around 30 who launched at the shores grey light.. The yakers on shore noticed his kayak floating past the breakers but no one on it... search the forums for it..
Poor guy had a massive heart attack I believe while paddling through the breakers.... Imagine how hard a recovery would have been had he not been wearing his vest
fish on!