Inflatable life vest..

[Red]

I am looking to get one of these.  I figure a life jacket that I would actually wear will probably work better than the one strapped up under my seat.  This is the one I am considering.

http://www.***.com/Mustang_Deluxe_MD3087_Auto_Bobbin_Activation/descpage-MDA.html

Does anyone have any pros/cons for this model?  It is in my budget and I know Mustang is a known brand.  Should I go with the automatic or the manual?  Any info on this jacket is much appreciated!

Thanks

Cliff

[Triton21]

I have that Mustang.  I have never had it inflate but wear it whenever I am on the water.  Getting old and have both hips replaced, don't want to drown if I stumble and fall in.  I don't notice it is on.  No problem fishing.

Kelley

[Goose52]

.....I figure a life jacket that I would actually wear will probably work better than the one strapped up under my seat.

Thanks

Cliff

Great decision. I wear an auto-inflatable PFD at all times when on the water. I fish alone and am not going to take any chances....

As you said, Mustang is a known brand so I don't think you can go wrong. The unit you're looking at has 35lb of buoyancy which is a step up from the 22-25lbs of the entry level unit. As for auto vs. manual, I got an automatic - when I end up in the water, it may be because I got conked on the head or had some sort of stroke or seizure and may not be able to pull the inflate handle.

Some people have complained that the bobbin-type auto-inflatables are prone to inflating in high humidity (like when stored in a boat locker) or in the rain. Others have had no problem. The answer to that is to move up to the hydrostatic actuation models that activate on water pressure...but those are still quite a bit pricier than the bobbin-type units.

Whatever you chose, make sure you wear it. I sometimes want to take mine off when I'm fishing on really hot days, BUT, it's just like a car seat belt - you really can't predict in advance when you need it so you better have it buckled :

[SeanW]

Great choice. I wear mine all the time in the winter, and most of the time the rest of the year. It did inflate on me once, as I was running to my starting spot in the morning. I suggest replacing the bisquit thing every year. Also keep a spare and spare cylinder in a tuperware in the boat.

[Red]

I fish alone too and I am a pretty good swimmer, but like you said, you never know.  Plus I am in an 8' boat.  Thanks for the info!

[b.Lee]

Yeah I have the tournament one, actually if you look on ebay you can sometimes find them for cheaper. If you were going to get one, you should have last week!

Side note: These are really awesome life vests, I think most of the elite anglers use them. And also I had a tournament 2 weeks ago, it rained from 6am till 4pm, pooring rain, never deployed.

[Bassnajr]

I have both a regular "solid" vest and an inflatable belt type vest. I leave the "solid" ski type vest attached to the kill switch. If you drive the boat, you wear the vest. The belt type I wear all day and don't know it's there half the time. And yes...the belt type does fit Coast Guard requirements and fills most tournament requirements.

[backseatk]

good choice

[Fishes in trees]

I think the HIT (hydrostatic) vest are better than the AI ones.  I had an Auto-Inflation one that self deployed once.   Middle of the summer - extreme humidity - locked up in fishing truck and several days later when I was in my truck for something else, I noticed that it had inflated.  A  year or so later, I came across a good sale price on an HIT version and I bought it.  I keep the other one on board as a back up.

[Red]

Thanks for the info guys.  I sent "Santa" the link, however I opted to go with a manual version rather than auto.

Cliff

[Triton21]

You might want to rethink that decision Red.  My best friend had a heart attack while fishing alone.  He passed out and fell off his boat.  Had he had a Manuel vest on he more than likely would have drown.

Kelley

[Grey Wolf]

Thanks for the info guys. I sent "Santa" the link, however I opted to go with a manual version rather than auto.

Cliff

Bad decision. Live long and prosper !!!!!!!!!

[Long Mike]

Spend a few extra bucks and go with the auto-inflate.  If you hit an object at speed and get tossed out of the boat, or if you lose your balance while fishing and hit your head on a stump/rock, the vest will automatically float you to the surface.  Worst case, if you have a heart attack, fall overboard, and die, at least the authorities will be able to recover your body.  Your family would greatly appreciate such a gesture.

[smbrule]

Yes, go with the automatic inflation vest. And, one with hydrostatic inflation. Mine is a Mustang. I wear it on the casting deck when fishing alone.

When running I wear a standard type life vest

[jj2]

I looked at them this summer and one thing that kept comeing up was the hydostatic models where the way to most of thr lower end models used a pill to block the fireing pin and they would get damp and go off a couple of people said they had theirs hanging in their garage and the blew up