What Pfd To Buy?

[Hi Salenity]

I'm looking for some advise on what inflatable PFD to buy? Do I want a manual or automatic? I'm looking at the $179? One BPS has in the Classic sale but after I went to BPS and looked at it it is larger and heavier than the BPS brand that was only about $80? I don't want to spend the extra $100 if I don't need to, I honestly probably won't wear the thing on most of the lakes I fish but we do have one lake that requires you to wear one...

If I'm going to buy one I'd like it to be small and comfortable.

What do YOU have and do YOU like it?

[slonezp]

I have a lower end Mustang with both a manual and automatic deploy system. Knock on wood, I haven't had to use it yet. It's comfortable and I forget I'm wearing it. I bought it maybe 5 years back for around a buck twenty

[slonezp]

One more thing, check the expiration dates on the kit that comes with the vest. You don't want to buy one that's been sitting on the shelf and have to buy a rearming kit in 2 months.

[Crappiebasser]

After my recent impromptu swim I bought the new Mustang M.I.T. to keep in my aluminum boat. So far I like the way it feels. I have not had to use it yet and hope I never do. I have the high end Mustang in my other boat and it is lighter but pretty pricey.

http://www.basspro.com/Mustang-Survival-M-I-T-100-Auto-Inflatable-Life-Vest/product/1210130511218/

[A-Jay]

I wear a Mustang model.

 

Go try them on - pay particular attention to how it lies on the back of your neck.  My model uses a neoprene material that is quite comfortable.

 

But I'll be honest with you though, if you're not going to wear it, save your money.

 

Whether it's jammed under a seat or still in the store - it's equally as ineffective.

 

A-Jay

[Mike L]

Dont mess around with something that can save your life.

There are different styles with different features, but as Jay said its worthless if you dont have it on, regardless what kind of water you're on....

Ok rant over, I have a Auto inflatable Mustang.

Mike

[livetofish28]

I have an onyx am24 that I really like its light and comfterble and wasn't outrageous price wise. Theyuse an onyx on MLF so they should work mine is a auto/Manuel.

Tight lines

Andrew

[BassnChris]

AUTOMATIC ........you might be unconscious and unable to deploy a manual PFD.

[Hi Salenity]

Thanks guys, I like the looks of the vests with the single strap down the back verses the ones with the 2 straps that make a V. However those are the more expensive ones. ;(

Another question if it's not being worn, do the inflatable ones still count as a PFD if you get checked by the Game Warden?

[livetofish28]

Yes they do count

Tight lines

Andrew

[Bassintheweeds]

Quick question not meant to high jack the thread but what type are allowed in most tournaments? Ive attempted a google search but had no relevant results.

 

As to them counting if they are not being worn, it is the opposite in Maine so be sure to check your local regulations.

[Hi Salenity]

Another question do you tether your vest to your engine kill? I'd also like to find a nice tether.

I don't foresee ever having a problem, but my Triton does Chine Walk so I'm sure I should get a tether and a Automatic vest.

[A-Jay]

Thanks guys, I like the looks of the vests with the single strap down the back verses the ones with the 2 straps that make a V. However those are the more expensive ones. ;(

Another question if it's not being worn, do the inflatable ones still count as a PFD if you get checked by the Game Warden?

 

 

Check to see which class the Life Jacket you're buying falls into.

 

Then, check your states boating laws & regulations regarding wear and stowage requirements.

 

Or you could wing it.

 

A-Jay

[slonezp]

Thanks guys, I like the looks of the vests with the single strap down the back verses the ones with the 2 straps that make a V. However those are the more expensive ones. ;(

Another question if it's not being worn, do the inflatable ones still count as a PFD if you get checked by the Game Warden?

Not in IL. Check your local boating regs

[slonezp]

Another question do you tether your vest to your engine kill? I'd also like to find a nice tether.

I don't foresee ever having a problem, but my Triton does Chine Walk so I'm sure I should get a tether and a Automatic vest.

It's required in tourneys. Otherwise, only if I'm driving like a bat out of hell. 

[slonezp]

Quick question not meant to high jack the thread but what type are allowed in most tournaments? Ive attempted a google search but had no relevant results.

 

As to them counting if they are not being worn, it is the opposite in Maine so be sure to check your local regulations.

A coast guard approved pfd. Doesn't matter if it's a standard or inflatable. Tourneys require the vest be on whenever the big motor is on and the driver is tethered to the kill switch. 

[Loop_Dad]

I bought low end BPS automatic/manual inflatable from fleamarket here. The seller included a new rearm kit with it. Very light, and I forget that I am wearing.

 

One thing with low end model is that it can go off even though you are not in the water if it gets wet. It is fine for me here in Cali, but if you get lots of rain in your area, this might not work. You might know this already, but I didn't know that when I bought it.

[Bassintheweeds]

A coast guard approved pfd. Doesn't matter if it's a standard or inflatable. Tourneys require the vest be on whenever the big motor is on and the driver is tethered to the kill switch. 

Thanks :tup:

[WIGuide]

You have to check your local laws to see if they count if not worn, because that changes from state to state. As far as what to get, I wouldn't get a manual one. If you fall out you have to grab it to make it inflate which isn't the ideal situation. There are two different types of automatic inflatables. The cheaper ones inflate when a water degradable bobbin gets wet and dissolves. They're good as long as they don't get wet, but if they're exposed to heavy rain or moisture they can go off. They won't always, but it's possible. The other type uses hydro-static pressure to trigger the inflation. That means it actually has to be submerged under water before it will go off. Rain and splashes won't effect these, however the drawback is that the recharge kits are about twice what the non hydro-static ones cost. 

[Hi Salenity]

After checking the KDWP site, I don't think a class V inflatable counts unless it's being worn.

That means I'd have to have another life vest out because Kansas law requires you to have one readily available (not stored)

[Bluebasser86]

After checking the KDWP site, I don't think a class V inflatable counts unless it's being worn.

That means I'd have to have another life vest out because Kansas law requires you to have one readily available (not stored)

Nope, only counts if you're wearing it in Kansas. If you like fishing in the rain don't get an inflatable. I had an automatic Mustang that I won in a BASS weekend series tournament and it went off in a downpour once, supposed to save you from drowning but it about gave me a heart attack. The automatic ones are more expensive to rearm too. I have a Cabela's manual one now that I really like. It has just a single strap that runs up the middle of your back too, and they're on sale online right now. 

[BassnChris]

Another question if it's not being worn, do the inflatable ones still count as a PFD if you get checked by the Game Warden?

 

 

Another question do you tether your vest to your engine kill? I'd also like to find a nice tether.

I don't foresee ever having a problem, but my Triton does Chine Walk so I'm sure I should get a tether and a Automatic vest.

I know you guys know this, but, wearing a PFD and tethering your kill switch to your vest (or somewhere on your person) is for that one time that things go unexpectedly wrong. They are meant to save lives at that moment. Because if we knew that something bad was about to happen then we would stop before it did.

Everybody is a big boy/girl.......do what you want regarding PFD's......it's your life. Personally I wear mine all the time since buying it (after my avatar pic). I have watched too many local news reports with the families struggling and hoping while the authorities try to find their missing loved one. I wear mine so if nothing else, they find my body quickly and spare my family that anguish.

But.......kill switch lanyard? PLEASE connect that to the boat operator. Because if you don't, and you are ejected from your vessel.......it can continue to run and result in tragedy for some innocent person or persons.....man, woman or child.

Now stepping down from my soap box.

[FrogFreak]

I know you guys know this, but, wearing a PFD and tethering your kill switch to your vest (or somewhere on your person) is for that one time that things go unexpectedly wrong. They are meant to save lives at that moment. Because if we knew that something bad was about to happen then we would stop before it did.

Everybody is a big boy/girl.......do what you want regarding PFD's......it's your life. Personally I wear mine all the time since buying it (after my avatar pic). I have watched too many local news reports with the families struggling and hoping while the authorities try to find their missing loved one. I wear mine so if nothing else, they find my body quickly and spare my family that anguish.

But.......kill switch lanyard? PLEASE connect that to the boat operator. Because if you don't, and you are ejected from your vessel.......it can continue to run and result in tragedy for some innocent person or persons.....man, woman or child.

Now stepping down from my soap box.

A big ole X2 on this. I have an auto Pfd from cabelas that my wife bought me. I don't even know I have it on anymore. I fish alone a lot and I'm lazy. It's not about you but the folks that want you around.

[Macrosill]

I just purchased a BPS A-M24.  It is made by Onyx, just embroidered with the BPS logo.  It is on sale right now for 109.99.  It is automatic, manual with CO2 and has a manual inflation tube.  The re-arm kit is about 24 bucks but I have found it online for as low as 14.

 

I can not go off in the rain unless you are standing on your head or you pull the manual cord.  The water has to get up under the nylon shell and up and into the clear protector and then up to the dissolvable pill.  I do not know of any rain going up and pooling while defying gravity.

[Hi Salenity]

I went to BPS and tried on the $240? Mustang and the $79 BPS that is made by Onyx. I ended up liking the fit of the BPS one so I got it. It's a manual/automatic and is actually fairly light and comfortable.