Dehy Loc: Jacksonville, Florida

I would suggest you buy one that you have tried on. I wear one the whole time I am in my boat. Try on and check for both comfort and weight.

teabag09 Loc: Chesapeake, Virginia

I don't think here in Va. we are required to wear them but have them on the boat. That raises the fact that I need to re-read the regs. Wouldn't hurt my feelings, we end up with three or four fishermen drowned every year for no reason. I had one occasion that I put on two orange life jackets when things blew up and I was behind the Hampton Rhodes Bridge Tunnel by myself, gotta get those flounders don't ya know. To get to the ramp was maybe a mile but I had to enter the channel, I was in flat water, the channel was 7 to 8' close, angry waves. This is for bow rider, get on the back of the wave, NOT IN FRONT of it, the wave will turn you sideways and swamp you. You'll have to trust your motor as you'll have to throttle up and down to stay right on the back of that wave. Was wondering whether or not if I was going to say hi to my wife latter that day.

I let my guard down for minute to catch fish. Didn't notice the wind and seas coming up because I was in the Lee and when I did notice it was too big for my 17' boat. I was lucky in that I've been on the water most of my life but like I said, I put on two lifejackets. I screwed up and I was scared. Mike

teabag09 Loc: Chesapeake, Virginia

One thing I learned young is if you are not motoring in anyway but anchored or drifting is to tie a gallon bottle to a 50 or more foot to a rope an let it float behind the boat. If someone goes over they can swim horizon to come back to the boat. Mike

Big dog Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York

👍

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

In Texas it’s now the law that outboard operators needs to be connected to a kill switch when underway. You will be ticketed, but I don’t know what the fines are.

It has been a common occurance here on the TX coast for center console rigs that are running full speed and the engine raised high inthe water, to suddenly lurch one way or the other, throwing the operater overboard! So, first if it is not necessary to have your engine raised up do to oyster reefs, or other such, keep the prop deep!

Whether the prop did hit something, a fish or driftwood, is never known. But the critical part is the rig will circle back around looking for the operator running at full speed! Not once, but on repeated passes if there is open water.
A friend of mine had this experience and each pass had to wait at the right moment to kick himself away from the bow as the boat passed! A 150 HP outboard running at full throttle will turn a fisherman into chum!...Just sayin RJS

cardoc

I’ve used them for years when racing sailboats. They are terrific. There are two kinds: those which you inflate by pulling a “ripcord “ (my preference) and those which self inflate upon immersion in water. The self inflating ones might inflate accidentally, but if you go overboard and are injured or ill, they work automatically. West Marine is a good source.

J.R. Sloan Loc: Inland Northwest (WA, OR, ID)

Egg--I've heard this same argument applied to table saws; I still use one, but I went out, found the best one with the best safety features, and bought it. Still making furniture, safer and better than ever and with all the same fingers. I'm responsible for my own safety in the shop.

So I and my buddy resolved to do the same with life preservers. There's always a terrible temptation to just dump the bulky foam or kapok harness in the bottom of the boat when it gets hot or uncomfortable--check out your nearest launch site if you want proof. We opted to live with the lesser discomfort and automatic safety of the auto-inflatables. But we kept the floating cushions in the boat (under our OLD BONES) and a spare life jacket or two depending on the day or the whim.

BTW, our auto-inflatables have manual pull cords too. So there's a backup there, unlike the old kapok vest we had before with the rip in the seam. It's a question of doing the homework and picking the best for your boat.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Sloan. We had a saw in our carpenter shop at the paper mill that had a break on it that would stop if your finger or hand touched the blade. Any flesh. You could (and we did) put it to the test with a hot dog and it worked

Gizzmo136 Loc: Carterville, Georgia

Inflatables are great to use.
They are not recommended for non swimmers.
Check your state regulations. In Ohio were I retired from, they dont count in an inspection stop unless they are being worn.

Cleemartin Loc: Hampton, Virginia

[quote=Gizzmo136]Inflatables are great to use.
They are not recommended for non swimmers.
Check your state regulations. In Ohio were I retired from, they dont count in an inspection stop unless they are being worn.[/quote

Actually, the auto inflatable vests are best for non-swimmers as they force the person in the water to float on their back, thus keeping them from drowning. The good ones have a neck support that supports your head.

Stumpy

I have two of the Mustang auto/manual vest and really like them. I too fish by myself a lot and in the winter time I feel a lot safer while wearing a pfd and these vest are really comfortable. You hardly know that you have it on. The biggest draw back to them is if they do inflate automatically, you have to replace the re-arm kit and the one for my vest is $30.00. I had one get wet in my boat and it inflated and I just ordered the kit to re arm it. Other than that, I really like them.

hang on sloopy Loc: oakford,pa.bucks,co.

i use the west marine the same as Gordon , auto , pull and tube it's ok to get them on sale but don't go cheep . their is an off shore model as well if you go into the ocean . they are a must wear however i do carry extra throw cushions and foam type vest . i have used them in the rain without activation , there is a color device indicating the charge always check that before use , on the water more is better . as i am getting older i am running out of friends , i need you girls and guys around so just be safe

finschasers69 Loc: taylor co. w.v.

here's an option you can take a regular boat cushion & tie a short rope thru you belt loop or cross your chest with it so if you do go over suddenly boat cushion will go over with you only draw back is it limits you on your maneuverability in the boat

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Finechaser69....and hope that you're not spotted by a water cop (Sheriff's patrol, around here in Oregon) ..... might be a biggish fine, in some places. Not real safe, either....rope an' all...b-movie stuff.

Stan th man Loc: Clearwater Fla.

Folks, this is nuts. They are called LIFE PRESERVERS for a good reason !! Can’t help you if you don’t wear it being rip cord , automatic or otherwise. We’ve lost to many brothers, sisters and children cause they are not being worn. Just having them on board to be legal not good. We have seat belts in cars and people don’t wear em. You hear all the time someone died cause they weren’t wearing their seat belt !! They should be called life saving belts. Maybe more folks will get the message. To much senseless loss of life. Tight lines mates !!