wnybassman Posted January 22, 2014 Posted January 22, 2014 Even the best best life jacket in the world won't help you get back in the boat though, which you need to do quickly in cold water. I have found (by summer swimming) that I can get back in my boat using the outboard as an elevator. If that isn't an option, I'm not sure I could. 1 Quote
Super User Sam Posted January 22, 2014 Super User Posted January 22, 2014 Good wake up call. Glad you are OK. I always have my PFD on when on the boat, even in the high heat of summer. Never take it off. Sometimes I think it is a good idea to wear it when you pond fish. Never can tell when you will hit the water, even pond fishing. We have lost far too many people from not wearing their PFD. We don't want anyone we know or on this Forum to become a statistic. Quote
Nice_Bass Posted January 22, 2014 Posted January 22, 2014 I fish alone most likely more than 80% of the time and am a fairly strong swimmer and have no issues getting in and out of the boat. (I have been in the water at around 50 purposely with friends...but in a panic alone that would be a different story) I only wear my life jacket when the outboard is on and it is connect to the kill switch. I don't feel I am indestructible at all so I should look into getting one of the mustang jackets. That being said, my greatest worry is going headfirst and being knocked out and drowning- seems like that's how most go and would be very easy in busy waters on the TM. So my question: if I were to get an auto inflatable jacket, does it keep the users head out of water in a breathing position, or will it just make my body easier to find if I go overboard and unconscious? obviously, very cold water maybe I should just get one- but I cant see me wearing it in warm water situations every time. Maybe it would just be like adjusting to a seatbelt law, who knows. Serious question here. Quote
Smokinal Posted January 22, 2014 Posted January 22, 2014 I'm glad you're ok. Ironic to see this thread as I just posted this link in another thread about pfd's. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Life-Jackets-Vests/Inflatable-Life-Jackets|/pc/104794380/c/104741280/sc/104399280/Cabelas-Tournament-3500-Auto-Inflatable-Personal-Flotation-Device/1546036.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Finflatable-life-jackets%2F_%2FN-1100590%2FNs-MAX_SALE_PRICE%257C1%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104794380%253Bcat104741280%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104794380%3Bcat104741280%3Bcat104399280 Good time to get one! Again, so glad to hear it worked out well for you and thank you for reminding us all that things like this happen. Quote
reb67 Posted January 25, 2014 Posted January 25, 2014 Glad you are ok. And thanks for all the shared stories I just started bass fishing a couple years ago with a friend and I never wear a PFD but my next purchase before I get my butt back on that bass boat will be a PFD. Thanks for the lesson without me having to learn it the hard way. Quote
Super User K_Mac Posted January 25, 2014 Super User Posted January 25, 2014 So my question: if I were to get an auto inflatable jacket, does it keep the users head out of water in a breathing position, or will it just make my body easier to find if I go overboard and unconscious? Any of the inflatable vests will float you face up even if unconscious. My belt has a strap that has to be put over my head when inflated to get that protection, so if I am knocked out when leaving the boat it may only make recovering my body easier. I wear it because even in the heat of the summer it does not cook me, it's cheap, and it is not at all in the way. I don't really notice it all. I am saving nickles to buy a couple good inflatable vests. Quote
jhoffman Posted January 25, 2014 Posted January 25, 2014 It probably wouldnt be a bad idea to keep a way to start fire in the boat also. A cotton ball rubbed with vasolene will burn for a solid 10 mins by itself after lit, its the perfect way to get almost any tinder going, I use it in the woods. Just prepare a couple, stick them in a bag, then stick that bag in another bag with a box of matches and a lighter. Another option is a flare, a flare burns very hot and if you cant get something lit with a flare you were meant to freeze. I carry 3 different ways to start fire, thinking about it, I guess its time to do it on the boat also. I know in my boat, if I were far enough in certain lakes, it would be over an hour till I got back to a dock. Getting to the bank and making a fire would be much much faster. If youre ever out and havent taken any of these precautions some other things that will burn hot... Hand Sanitizer - pure alcohol Motor Oil - 2 stroke or 4 Stroke Pine Sap 1 Quote
Fish Murderer 71 Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 YOU DO KNOW THAT YOUR TROLLING MOTOR CAN SUPPORT MOST BODY WEIGHTS TO ASSIST GETTING BACK IN THE BOAT??? IF YOU DONT WANT TO USE THE TOLLING MOTOR, THE CAVITATION PLATE ON YOU MOTOR IS A GOOD STEP UP... Quote
AQUA VELVA Posted February 13, 2014 Posted February 13, 2014 I read some time ago that, believe it or not, quite a few fishermen fall in and drown trying to urinate in the water while standing right on the end of the stern. Always have a container handy, people. Quote
Pz3 Posted February 13, 2014 Posted February 13, 2014 Hear the story all to often about a boat being found with no one in it. Thank god you are okay. Live to fish another day! Quote
BuckMaxx Posted February 13, 2014 Posted February 13, 2014 I bought a mustang and wear it anytime in rough water or when fishing by myself. I watched a guy tip over his kayak last year with one on. It probably saved is life too. Quote
fishinthedacks Posted February 13, 2014 Posted February 13, 2014 Wow this one really got me thinking. I had a two person ocean kayak and dont use a pfd. I bring military ones with me in the plastic that you have to pull a cord to activate and to be honest they're so old I don't know if they even work. I always make the kids wear actually life vests but what good are they if I'm not able to swim them back to shore? Guess on top of a new tackle box, and two new rod and reel combos and a new filet board I better add life jacket to the top of that list. Thank you. Quote
WDinarte Posted February 13, 2014 Posted February 13, 2014 ... an please guys if you or you family are around the river keep in mind that water is water and always is dangerous do not let no one rest on experience. Last year here in Virginia we have one accident ( tragedy ) on the news... a family was walking a trail in the river shore they stop at some point and some how a shoes went down the water was not a deep area but the currents in the Potomac river are bad and the story end up in tragedy. I fish a lot fron the river bank and some time I have my little ones with me, it looks funny but most of the time they are with PFD I will never take a chance. I'm not in a boat but around the water... just my 2c. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted February 13, 2014 Posted February 13, 2014 Glad your OK. It is extremely important wear that PFD in the cold weather. Much more so then in summer. It's important then too but more important in the winter. Around here we do a lot of winter fishing and most of us wear a Float Coat which is a warm coat that is also an approved coast guard PFD. Should you fall in it also helps protect you from hypothermia. Next time you buy a heavy bulky coat for winter fishing consider a float coat. http://www.beatthebigboxboys.com/store-categories-Float-Coats_3064680.html Here's an interesting article on survival time in cold water. http://www.shipwrite.bc.ca/Chilling_truth.htm Ron A Float Coat is exactly what you want in cold water. I'll be picking one up to wear wading for steelhead. Quote
mram10us Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 Well, the lake finally thawed, so me and a buddy hooked up the boat and went fishing. Unloaded the boat, ran for a minute and quit. Couldn't get it started. Looked at the usual cutoff switch and lanyard still attached. Decided to use the trolling motor to SLOWLY get to the closest point, into the wind, so we could get back easily. Long story short, got it home and started checking everything out. Called my mechanic and he said to cycle the cutoff switch just in case. Of course, that was it The lanyard was still attached, but the switch had moved slightly down, though not all the way. At least learned how long the trolling motor would go on high Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted February 15, 2014 Super User Posted February 15, 2014 I don't think the man needs a lecture.... Lesson learned and you all lie if you say you fish every single trip out .... With a life jacket on... God bless you my friend! Quote
Maico1 Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 Glad you are safe and commend you for telling everyone about your experience. However the fact this is well into the third page is a good reminder for all in the fishing community....Thanks again Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.