Inflatable Life Jacket

[Woody B]

There's a recent rash of threads recommending people wear their life jackets.  Right now the only time I wear mine is when the water is below 55 degrees.   I'm considering getting an inflatable.  (is that the right term?)  

 

What brand, and what care/maintenance is needed?   I would leave mine in the drivers seat with my cut off switch lanyard attached to it.  I'm tight, but cost isn't really a factor.  

[Jig Man]

Most places the inflatables are only legal if you are wearing it.  I wear a Mustang and carry another one for guests.  They must wear it or won’t get invited back.

[Bird]

Glad you're asking ?

I highly suggest you wear one regardless of water temp. 

You could get thrown from boat on a big lake and have to swim several hundred yards or more.

This one was very affordable and wear it year around and have another in the boat for a guest.

Thinking around $75......it's a manual inflatable where the other one is an auto inflatable.

[A-Jay]

A-Jay

[Trox]

I use an inflatable but have been considering moving away from them... Not because they don't work or aren't extremely practicle, but rather because every time I put one on there's this thought that ALWAYS enters the back of my mind and it's:

 

"I hope I installed this thing correctly"

 

...as in, there's a small part of me that doesn't trust that it will go off when I need it to. Whether or not I will actually go back to a "normal" lifejacket or not remains to be seen though. Am I alone on this one?

[MN Fisher]

25 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

A-Jay

And there's Lynn's trim PFD and Andy's bright colored one again.

 

In the canoe, I had a standard PFD I wore all the time.

For the F-9 - I got one of these last fall.

 

I'm also going to be retro-fitting an ECOS to the old Evinrude...it's actually not that hard to do.

[GaryH]

Mustang 100 mph when running big motor, inflatable when fishing.

[Darth-Baiter]

I bought a Mustang hybrid.   The instructions read scary.  The first part was all about double checking installation and procedures testing to make sure it works properly. I returned it and went with a regular one.  

[Dogface]

Omnia has some Mustang vests on sale now. 

[Bird]

40 minutes ago, TroxBox said:

I use an inflatable but have been considering moving away from them... Not because they don't work or aren't extremely practicle, but rather because every time I put one on there's this thought that ALWAYS enters the back of my mind and it's:

 

"I hope I installed this thing correctly"

 

...as in, there's a small part of me that doesn't trust that it will go off when I need it to. Whether or not I will actually go back to a "normal" lifejacket or not remains to be seen though. Am I alone on this one?

The arming of these vests seem straight forward but here's a thought.

Wearing a PFD that you're not 100 % sure is going to inflate is perhaps better than not wearing one at all.

But I understand where your coming from.

[Basser2021]

1 hour ago, Bird said:

Glad you're asking ?

I highly suggest you wear one regardless of water temp. 

You could get thrown from boat on a big lake and have to swim several hundred yards or more.

This one was very affordable and wear it year around and have another in the boat for a guest.

Thinking around $75......it's a manual inflatable where the other one is an auto inflatable.

I second this notion

[GRiver]

Bass Pro Shops 35AUTO Auto-Inflatable Life Vest

3.9 out of 5 stars. Read reviews for average rating value is 3.9 of 5. Read 18 Reviews Same page link.

3.9

 

(18)

Write a review 

 

$69.97
Bass pro has this one,it’s the one I have now, I started wearing one full time a few years ago. I fish by myself 90% of the time. Used to only wear it when the motor was running, but now all the time.  

I’m saving up for a mustang with the hydrostatic, I’ll fish in the rain, as long as no lighting. 
I’ll keep my Bass pro for guest.

[Jigfishn10]

We have the one's @Bird posted. We also have the USCG type 1 life jackets in the boat, just in case.

The cartridges for those auto inflatable can get pretty expensive tho.

[AmmoGuy]

So. The Mustang HIT's are 100% the best choice in inflatables. 

Outside of that, they are kind of the same. To be honest, it's hard to make sense of all the various Onyx, BP labeled, etc. choices. 

 

If you're not going to spend the money on an HIT, this seems like the best "value". 

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-35auto-auto-inflatable-life-vest-101155070

[Woody B]

Thanks for all the information.   I've heard before that the Mustang HIT's are the best.    I see people mention Onyx ones.  Academy has them.  I could try one on to make sure it's comfortable.  I've got all the required PFD already stored in my boat.  I don't need another one that I don't wear.  I know I "should" wear a life jacket.  I'm an Eagle Scout and a former lifeguard.   I also have a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in every vehicle I own.   

 

It appears to me that the vests can be re armed if they're used.  Is there any reason (besides $$) not to jump in my pool with one on to see how it works?   

 

I've finally gotten to the point that I remember to attach my emergency cut off switch lanyard 90% of the time.  (I still forget to take it off most of the time when I get up LOL)   

[FishTank]

Glad this topic was started.....

 

You are required to wear a life vest in the tournaments I fish when the big motor is running. I saw an important reminder this past weekend when a boat turned a corner too fast, had to adjust for another boat and the quick adjustment threw the passenger.  He was wearing a jacket but it was old and already wet from the heavy rain. When he entered the water the jacket acted like a sponge because of its age. He started to go under but he was able to swim back to the boat he fell out of. 

 

After seeing this, I knew it was time for a new one. Hopefully I will never need it but it's an investment that I don't mind spending the money on. 

 

 

[Choporoz]

No exaggeration to say I forget I have it on....even on hot days 

[ATA]

I was recently in search of one and I bought :

Mustang Survival Corp Inflatable PFD with HIT (Auto Hydrostatic) 

Thats the best out there and Ive use it few days in hot CA weather and I never felt I have it on. Plus it has HIT which will not activate by rain or splash of water to it.

I bought it from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IZDKQG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

[Log Catcher]

I'm not trying to hijack this thread but I need to ask a stupid question. What is the purpose of using a regular vest when the big motor is running and switching to an inflatable for fishing? What am I missing?

[A-Jay]

36 minutes ago, Log Catcher said:

I'm not trying to hijack this thread but I need to ask a stupid question. What is the purpose of using a regular vest when the big motor is running and switching to an inflatable for fishing? What am I missing?

Ultimate Safety while running.

Convenient Comfort while fishing

A-Jay

[Glenn]

I went back to wearing vests when running.  Inflatables don't do as well at high-speed impacts. But there's more to it than life vests.

 

 

[treble hook]

I bought the Bass Pro brand on a few weeks back. It's the AM24 that's normally $99. They had it for $79 and I had a gift card.

 

 

[Bassun]

Look it's simple on my boat.  Motors on, life jackets are on.  Period.  I don't care if you like it or not, it just is not worth the risk.  Now once we are no longer running, then it's your call - wear one or take it off.  If something happens while underway there's just no good reason to not have a jacket on.

I'll be honest - I hate my inflatable (one of the cheaper BPS ones).  It rubs my neck and just doesn't sit comfortably.  It randomly fired last year in the garage and I haven't even replaced the can to rearm it.  I may not.  I have a few other life jackets (I always grab cheap ones at yard sales when I see them), and 99% of them I like better.  My favorite is not one for active watersports, but a "fishing" style and is super comfortable.  It basically feels like I'm wearing a fishing vest, only it's a life jacket.  I hook it to my lanyard and it stays right there in my seat when I'm not running.  Takes about 5 seconds to pick it up and snap the two buckles.   Really I just put it on as I'm setting down - it's a habit like putting on a seatbelt.  I would much rather have it on and not need it, then need one and not have it...

[gm4511]

On 5/27/2022 at 10:54 AM, treble hook said:

I bought the Bass Pro brand on a few weeks back. It's the AM24 that's normally $99. They had it for $79 and I had a gift card.

 

 

A word of caution, this jacket is a Type V with Type lll performance.  That means it must be worn to count in your boat's inventory.  If it's not worn, it's as if it doesn't exist if your checked.  

[MN Fisher]

1 hour ago, gm4511 said:

A word of caution, this jacket is a Type V with Type lll performance.  That means it must be worn to count in your boat's inventory.  If it's not worn, it's as if it doesn't exist if your checked.  

That depends on the jacket itself. Yes, some inflatables need to be worn to be counted, but there are those that don't have to be. Check the label of the PFD to see if it's one of those that do need to be worn to be counted.

 

From Minnesota's boating guide.

"Some inflatable life jackets are required to
be worn in order to be counted as one of
your U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable
flotation devices—check the label for
indication. "

 

BUT - checking my AM-24

Yes, the AM-24 is labeled "Must be worn..."