A problem with falling from a boat or kayak at this time of year, even while wearing a PFD, is that you quickly lose the manual dexterity you need to get out of the water. Self-rescue with a kayak would be very difficult---you need to be able to manipulate your paddle, deck bungies, paddle float, and pump. If you're not wearing a drysuit, you should stay within a few feet of shore and not expect to climb back in your kayak (except maybe by heel-hook reentry, which most people don't know how to do).
Within the last 10 years there have been several days on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's when it was warm enough to kayak. Amazing how many kayakers weren't wearing a PFD on those days and didn't have one with them.
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