Life Jackets

[harmanoff]

i am in need of purchasing some new life jackets this season, my oldest ones have been longer over due for the dumpster, ive lost one of my newest ones, so really only leaves me with 1 reliable one and my throw cushion. what are some good options?

 

[roscoe]

Mustang Survival

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The Hydrostatic Inflator Technology (HIT) offers reliable inflation in a low maintenance design that will only automatically inflate when submerged in 4'' or more of water pressure and not inadvertently due to rain, spray or humidity.

 

[RMClark]

I guess I'd ask what are you are doing with the boat and how long will you be wearing them while on the water?

Do you wear your PFD all the time while on the water?

Fishing? Skiing? General cruising?

I'm a fisherman; I always have my PFD on. I use an auto-inflating vest. It's cooler than a standard buoyant vest and I can comfortably wear it all day.

Some of my fishing buddies use buoyant vests, but they typically have them over the seat backs on the boat.

I keep a spare PFD on the boat; it's a standard Type 3 buoyant vest. A separate throwable flotation device is also required in my state; this is one of those throwable floating seat cushions.

Auto-inflating vests may have minimum age requirements and usually must be worn to "count" as a PFD.

Recommend you look at your state's requirements to understand what you need for your situation. Not all states are the same.

 

[tpenfield]

You will want to make sure you have enough for your boat capacity. PFD's can cost quite a bit, so decide on what you might want for frequent usage and what may be needed if you have a full crew onboard.

I usually shop Walmart in the late summer or Fall, went they discount their PFD's.

For water sports, you want to have a few good ones, so those usually don't go on sale.

 

[harmanoff]

I never wear a life jacket to be honest, i have those orange ones that we have used for years, some of the vest types but now just down to 1 vest and 2 throw cushions now, got a new throw last night as it was on sale. I have a storage box on my dock that i will be keeping them in until needed. for example, if its me the wife and kids, they all have thiers on since they are in the camper hatch, so ill have 2 life jackets on the boat and 2 throws. if others join id grab one out of the storage box

 

[nola mike]

I saw a guy yesterday ejected from his 21' bass boat after hitting a stump. Auto inflating vest and lanyard kill switch certainly made his life easier at least. Was almost enough to get me to wear a pfd on board and install (and use) a kill switch

 

[harmanoff]

I saw a guy yesterday ejected from his 21' bass boat after hitting a stump. Auto inflating vest and lanyard kill switch certainly made his life easier at least. Was almost enough to get me to wear a pfd on board and install (and use) a kill switch

my kill switch is connected at all times, my dad hit a stump, ejected a guy, got lucky was in a smaller river off the mississippi and only 2 1/2 feet of water but yea engine died. so i keep mine attached for that reason. just dont do stupid **** tho lol

 

[BWR1953]

We always wear our life jackets whenever the main engine is running. And I always use my kill switch.

Conventional jackets are what I've always used, but I'm considering the auto-inflate type PFDs. Pricey, though.

 

[airshot]

Tried the auto inflating vests and found them to be heavy on my arthritic shoulders, not comfortable at all
for me. If your passengers are going to wear them, get comfortable ones !! When I had my bigger boat, everyone got to pick out there own so they would be confortable on them. On my 16' boat I am normally alone or just one passenger and I have a couple nice comfy jackets to wear but also have a couple of those orange unconfortable gizmos just in case I would get another passenger. If no one is required to wear them then get anything you want to meet requirements, but the more confortable they are, the more likely they will get worn !!

 

[RMClark]

Emergency kill switch use is Federal law, now, though I don't think it has gotten the push (enforcement action) that one might expect.

 

[airshot]

Emergency kill switch use is Federal law, now, though I don't think it has gotten the push (enforcement action) that one might expect.

No it hasn't, just went thru a safety inspection by DNR in Ohio. Questioned the lanyard as my boat has one. They are highly recomended and warnings issued. Can be held against a person involved in an accident and have insurance claim issues, but no citations unless an injury accident... That was the story I got..

 

[nola mike]

No it hasn't, just went thru a safety inspection by DNR in Ohio. Questioned the lanyard as my boat has one. They are highly recomended and warnings issued. Can be held against a person involved in an accident and have insurance claim issues, but no citations unless an injury accident... That was the story I got..

I don't have one, so not required to use. I have a spare remote with one that's on my long to do list. Probably easier to wire in a stand alone switch though

 

[roscoe]

No it hasn't, just went thru a safety inspection by DNR in Ohio. Questioned the lanyard as my boat has one. They are highly recomended and warnings issued. Can be held against a person involved in an accident and have insurance claim issues, but no citations unless an injury accident... That was the story I got..

It may not be required under Ohio law, but if you are on federal USCG waters, it is. Ohio has a couple.

 

[04fxdwgi25]

Emergency kill switch use is Federal law, now, though I don't think it has gotten the push (enforcement action) that one might expect.

What the new rule says is if the boat is equipped with the kill switch, it is to be utilized / worn.

Have various PFD on board and the ones we use most are the Mustangs, type 2 and 3 and inflatable. Also have a couple of ski vests if someone wants that style that day.

 

[alldodge]

It may not be required under Ohio law, but if you are on federal USCG waters, it is. Ohio has a couple.

hummm