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Posts: 93
| Does anyone have any helpful opinions and experiences with inflatable PFD's? Something they wear regularly and have found less obtrusive or more comfortable than other brands? Maybe a different brand or model for different times of the year due to temperature.
Thanks all |
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Posts: 489
Location: Northern Illinois | I have a Mustang that I wear 100% of the time spring, summer, fall. I am so used to it that I am uncomfortable if I am not wearing it, similar to wearing a seatbelt in a car. I cannot comment on other brands. |
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Posts: 2325
Location: Chisholm, MN | I have a mustang. I wear it at night, or when fishing by myself in cold water. It's hardly a nuisance and would definitely recommend it. |
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| I wear an Onyx. Don't even notice it after you have worn it for a while. The one thing I would suggest is to be aware of the material around the neck. If you are wearing it in warm weather with a t-shirt while casting that can chafe if it is a coarse material. First one I had was a low cost Cabela's and that was a little rough on your neck. Still have it but let guests use it.
No really a problem, I just learned to wear a shirt with a soft collar I could pull up, like a polo. |
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Posts: 864
Location: NE Ohio | i have a mustang that i wore religiously when fishing alone. found it a tad bit much for summer fishing with a light t-shirt. went to the onyx AM 24/7 this year and like it better, and now wear it. have never fallen over yet so don' know about inflation and hope i never have to.
looked at a lot of reviews prior to purchase of the onyx and all gave it high rankings.
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Posts: 93
| Guys, thanks for all the input. I have a couple year old Mustang, not sure what model, and I find it a bit cumbersome.
I was looking at the Onyx models as I have one of their rain jackets and I like it over the Simms stuff I have.
Will prolly go that route.
Appreciate all the input! Thanks  |
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Posts: 8782
| We have the Cabela's inflatable and the Mustang (for the wife) Whatever brand you get, as others have said, pay careful attention to the area around your neck. That's a big source of discomfort for me.
Several buddies of mine have started wearing their vests under their parkas for late fall cold weather fishing. It sure adds to the comfort factor, but I'm not sure I trust that approach.
I've been meaning to suit up in all my late fall gear, including the inflatable vest, and jump in the lake with it all (on a warm day in warm water with others around) just to experience what actually happens if you go over in boots, long underwear, bibs, parka, etc. but I haven't been able to conjure up the stones to actually do it.
Also been looking into the float suits - Mustang, etc.
One thing we always do in the fall is have a rope attached to a cleat. I figure as long as we're able to float, it's a simple grab the rope and have the other person drag you to shallow water before you're dead.
One thing I'm pretty sure of: If you're wearing layer upon later of fleece, insulated bibs, boots, wool socks, gloves, hats/etc. and you go over, you're gonna sink like a rock without some sort of flotation. And even then, unless you're an Olympic athlete, you're not getting your arse back over the gunnel and back into the boat wearing 50# of wet clothing.
This is another reason why I carry a complete change of clothing in the truck. Should the unthinkable happen and I can get back to the landing, back to the truck, out of the wet everything I have on, and into a dry set of underwear, long johns, socks, pants, short, coat/etc. I might just make it back to camp or to the hospital before hypothermia does me in.
No laughing matter...
We don;t typically wear PFD's when the weather/water is warm, but I am re-considering that... |
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Posts: 489
Location: Northern Illinois | Speaking of crawling back into the boat, one safety device I have in my Ranger that I've never had to use and hope I don't have to is the boarding ladder. I added one when I had my Pro-V and recommend it as well. |
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Posts: 93
| Thanks all, I agree a piece of safety equipment that should be on every boat is a boarding ladder. Another (always present but seldom used) is a tether. I have the Fell Marine wireless on other boats and its more convenient that being connected. An anchor is a seldom considered safety equipment item too. When all else fails in bad weather it can make a big difference.
I grew up boating on Lake Michigan, too many people take safety for granite on it and many loose their life yearly due to poor decisions. |
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| Windy City - 12/8/2019 7:38 AM
Thanks all, I agree a piece of safety equipment that should be on every boat is a boarding ladder. Another (always present but seldom used) is a tether. I have the Fell Marine wireless on other boats and its more convenient that being connected. An anchor is a seldom considered safety equipment item too. When all else fails in bad weather it can make a big difference.
I grew up boating on Lake Michigan, too many people take safety for granite on it and many loose their life yearly due to poor decisions.
The anchor idea is one apparently a lot of folks don't think about. A few years ago, my wife came and got me from my shop because she had seen a family out on the lake in front of our house drifting across the lake in a stiff wind and eventually getting pinned against a tree lined shore when they ran out of gas. They were in very shallow water so I had to get close, drop an anchor and throw them a weighted line to attach to their boat. I towed them back to the resort where they had rented a cabin. They had run out of gas, the batteries for their trolling motor were dead as well. I suggested to the guy that the next time he drop an anchor if he lost power. Didn't have one of those either. The good thing was all 5 people had PFDs on. (He did say he was going to buy an anchor, used boat he had just bought to bring on vacation) |
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Posts: 205
| I also have Mustang and have a 2nd one in the boat for a partner. I might not wear it on those nice warm summer days. But always I always have it on at night, cool / cold water and if the conditions start to get bad. I also connect the kill layard when wearing the vest.
.......
BTW - your trim and tilt can be a good way to get back into the boat if you fall out. Get you knee or a foot on the cavitation plate or prop and trim up. Unless the big motor was running when you went out. |
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Posts: 427
| Mustange HIT vest is my first and only choice. I never fish alone with out wearing it. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | esoxaddict - 12/2/2019 7:02 PM
We don;t typically wear PFD's when the weather/water is warm, but I am re-considering that...
It's not that much harder to drown in warm water, Al. Just sayin, m |
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Inflatable PFD Experiences