Been lurking for a little while and finally decided to post. Just looking for suggestions on life jackets. I like the looks of the self inflate ones and they look comfortable. I don't know if I could trust my life to that though. Suggestions?
Been lurking for a little while and finally decided to post. Just looking for suggestions on life jackets. I like the looks of the self inflate ones and they look comfortable. I don't know if I could trust my life to that though. Suggestions?
Your Government says they are trustworthy, so why not?
Actually, I think it comes down to KISS philosophy. Foam jackets are cheap, long lasting, low maintainance, and trustworthy. I'd worry about puncturing an inflatable with a hook or snag and tear it, making it $$ junk. Mine are foamies from BPS or Cabela's, and about $40 each. How fast is your boat? Do you need crotch straps and the 100 mph rating?
Modified by Walkabout7781 at 10:57 PM 1/4/2012
Don't bother me, I'm screwing for virginity.
I killed a 12-pack just to watch it die.
I know the foam ones are most reliable but I'm also looking for something I can fish very cold water in. When I'm alone I'd like to fish with the vest on too and the foam ones can get bulky.
And my boat is a slug.
I like mine here it is a mustang hydrostastic under 200.00 bucks got mine eariler this year for 188.00 they went up 6 bucks. You don't want the other auto inflat, can and will go off due to rain and humitity, hydrostatic only goes off when surmerged in 4 inches of water.
http://www.hodgesmarine.com/Mu...k.htm
You won't fine this cheaper anywhere I looked for months this is a 100 bucks less than anywhere. I think they sell a lot to the gov.
BIG BASS
Last time I fished really cold weather, I dropped my favorite pitching rod/Curado overboard. Instantly hit the deck, chest hit the gunwale, and I grabbed the rod. Thankfully, the foam jacket saved my ribs from being broken; I wasn't even sore afterwards. The inflatable wonders would have sent me packing for the hospital, and I would have been off work for at least a week. Bulky or not, I like the foam ones. It does get a lot hotter where you are, tho. Where do you find cold water?
Don't bother me, I'm screwing for virginity.
I killed a 12-pack just to watch it die.
i know many people who wear the inflatables nowadays, but theyre only legal when worn....that being said, i dont wear one, i wont trust my saftey to a co2 cartrige...standard pfd for me
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by ol man river »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">i know many people who wear the inflatables nowadays, but theyre only legal when worn....that being said, i dont wear one, i wont trust my saftey to a co2 cartrige...standard pfd for me
I wear an inflatable, correct only legal if worn. Plus someone told me today that you still need to have a regular jacket in the boat for every inflatable. That's in case it becomes unservicable while on the water. I have a Mustang and it has the window to make sure you see green. If not, it's out of service.
Lake Norman, N.C./New Britain, CT.
An Khe 66-67
I wear an inflatable at all times when I'm fishing by myself, but I carry a regular jacket in the boat to satisfy the Coast Guard requirement.
I wear the foam life jacket when running and the inflatable when fishing.
BassinBarrister
2001 ChampioN 206 Elite
225 Yamaha VMax EFI
25P Trophy Plus Prop
I utilize both of them. The foam ones i like in the cold weather for two reasons, one is the warmth and the second is if you do fall in they will help insulate you some from hypothermia. The inflatable styles i wear the rest of the time and they work trust me. Me being not to smart put one on one day in my kayak due to it being hot. Well you guessed it i flipped the kayak and in the wate i went. Before i could realize what was happening i was ontop of the water with this huge yellow thing around me. They deploy quickly and can be rearmed. Also look at Cabela's they normally have the best deals on these that i have found.
Have you looked at Mustang flotation jackets?
http://www.mustangsurvival.com...ket-0
lots of post just keep in mind a jacket is only as good as what you are wearing. Put my inflatable on at lanch and take it off when it gos back on the trailer. Wear it or it dont matter.
The foam ones are a lot cheaper and you never have to worry about recharging them, etc. By the way, I understand that the rule that "inflatables are only legal when worn" varies by state.
"The man of system is apt to be very wise in his own conceit; and is often so enamored with the supposed beauty of his own ideal plan of government that he cannot suffer the smallest deviation from any part of it…He seems to imagine that he can arrange the different members of a great society with as much ease as the hand arranges the different pieces upon a chessboard.” Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments
Just get something foam and comfortable.
In Louisiana, it has to be worn to be considered a life jacket. If you take it off, you had better have conventional jackets for each person on board. Check your local laws
I use these... this is the time of year you can find them on clearance..
Boating Flotation Jacket | Adult Life Vest | Stearns the Life Jacket Experts
Inflatables are fine when stopped, but what if you're thrown out at speed? I'd think CPAA had an incident a few years back where someone was ejected and the inflatable slipped off like a t shirt. Left the guy treading water. I like a vest with 100MPH buckles and leg straps.
The life jacket rating is another item to consider. Many inflatables are type II rated, meaning they have a good chance of keeping your face out of the water if you are knocked unconcious. Most foam jackets are type III, if you end up face down in the water and don't turn yourself over, you will likely stay face down.
Tom Gates, 2005 Triton TR196DC LE, 200 Opti
I have 2 of the Mustangs that I use most of the time, but I also have the standard style life jackets in my boat also. I like the freedom of the Mustangs especially fishing in cold weather.
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