Life jacket recommendations! Need Auto and Foam 2024
clemsondds reply :
Bought a boat and am looking to get some vests. I am planning to wear an auto pfd but my wife would prefer a traditional foam filled vest. Can anyone recommend options for both? Prefer to stay away from the big bulky foam vests...trying to keep her as comfortable as possible. And anyone seen any good deals on auto pfds? Looks like the price ranges from $115-400...which way is the best bang for buck? Was thinking about something like this for my wife...
It's more of kayak pfd...but thought it might be less bulky. Any thoughts? Any other ideas? Thanks
A-Jay reply :
"Bang for your Buck" for me means a high quality piece of equipment made by a company with a solid reputation based on real ife xperiences of saving peoples lives.
I trust Mustang.
Costs more but I'm worth it.
I use these . .
https://www.mustangsurvival.com/en_US/products/flotation/inflatable-pfds/elite-28-inflatable-pfd-auto-hydrostatic-MD5183.html
https://www.mustangsurvival.com/en_US/products/flotation/foam-pfds/accel100-fishing-vest-MV4620.html
A-Jay
TOXIC reply :
Remember, if you wear an inflatable you need a standard PFD as well to be legal if you ever take the inflatable off. So in your scenario, you would need 3 PFD's. 1 for your wife and 2 for you.
NHBull reply :
I use a mustang and if your looking for a comfortable traditional for your wife, look at waterski vest. They are much more comfortable
kenmitch reply :
I'm not trying to be a perve....But depending on your wifes breast size you might be better off taking her shopping for one rather than ordering one online. It won't do her much good if in the end she won't wear it.
Maybe look at the Astral Women's Layla Life Jacket on Amazon if your ordering one online. Looks like it would be comfortable.
clemsondds reply :
On 3/28/2019 at 1:10 AM, TOXIC said:Remember, if you wear an inflatable you need a standard PFD as well to be legal if you ever take the inflatable off. So in your scenario, you would need 3 PFD's. 1 for your wife and 2 for you.
I could be wrong, but I don't think this is the case anymore.
J Francho reply :
No, that is still the law.
clemsondds reply :
Pretty sure that's not the case anymore. Check out the USCG laws.
copying this from a thread over on the hull truth. https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/908989-inflatable-pfds-do-they-count-if-you-not-wearing-2.html
"They only have to be worn (in order to be "counted") if they are Coast Guard approved as a "type V". Otherwise, they DO NOT have to be worn. Read the tag on the PFD. See the pics for two of mine. I am a recreational vessel, thus, they are approved as type II and do not need to be worn to be counted. I have seen other inflatables approved only as type V for commercial AND recreational. Again, see the tag on your individual PFD for clarification."
MN Fisher reply :
On 3/28/2019 at 3:39 AM, clemsondds said:Pretty sure that's not the case anymore. Check out the USCG laws.
While the USGC sets the base standard - each state can make the laws a bit tougher. Your state may indeed NOT include Type V - no matter what the USGC rating is - as a valid PFD under certain conditions. Check your state's regulations - don't rely on the manufacturer's statement.
clemsondds reply :
Don't get me wrong...I agree that if it's not on you...it won't do much good. I was just passing along what I had read
MN Fisher reply :
On 3/28/2019 at 3:44 AM, clemsondds said:Don't get me wrong...I agree that if it's not on you...it won't do much good. I was just passing along what I had read
Gotta read the fine print - for example: In Minnesota, Type V inflatables are NOT legal while operating PWCs.
"Inflatables are not approved for use on personal watercraft or while water-skiing or similar sports."
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/boatwater/boatingguide.pdf Page 19
clemsondds reply :
On 3/28/2019 at 3:50 AM, MN Fisher said:Gotta read the fine print - for example: In Minnesota, Type V inflatables are NOT legal while operating PWCs.
"Inflatables are not approved for use on personal watercraft or while water-skiing or similar sports."
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/boatwater/boatingguide.pdf Page 19
Pretty sure that's standard everywhere...can't count an inflatable on a jetski.
I have a regular fishing boat.
On 3/28/2019 at 1:44 AM, kenmitch said:I'm not trying to be a perve....But depending on your wifes breast size you might be better off taking her shopping for one rather than ordering one online. It won't do her much good if in the end she won't wear it.
Maybe look at the Astral Women's Layla Life Jacket on Amazon if your ordering one online. Looks like it would be comfortable.
Thanks for the tip! That's a great idea
kenmitch reply :
On 3/28/2019 at 3:50 AM, MN Fisher said:Gotta read the fine print - for example: In Minnesota, Type V inflatables are NOT legal while operating PWCs.
"Inflatables are not approved for use on personal watercraft or while water-skiing or similar sports."
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/boatwater/boatingguide.pdf Page 19
It's nice that they spelled it out for those who lack common sense.
MN Fisher reply :
On 3/28/2019 at 4:30 AM, kenmitch said:It's nice that they spelled it out for those who lack common sense.
Ya, it's for the same idiots that shampoo labels have "Not for internal use" on them. 
A-Jay reply :
On 3/28/2019 at 4:36 AM, MN Fisher said:Ya, it's for the same idiots that shampoo labels have "Not for internal use" on them.
Seems they may hang with the same folks who need this always laughable warning . . . .
A-Jay
TOXIC reply :
I can absolutely guarantee you that if you do not have a regular life jacket on board for everyone PLUS your inflatable Type V, in the state of Virginia you will get a ticket. In order to "count" as an approved PFD, a type V has to be worn. If you take it off it no longer counts and you need to have a regular PFD. There's really no debate on this and I don't want to see you get a citation. Straight from the Virginia Regs:
- A Type V life jacket needs to be worn according to the manufacturer label to meet safety requirements.
Look at your own picture and note APPROVED ONLY WHEN WORN
clemsondds reply :
On 3/28/2019 at 6:49 PM, TOXIC said:I can absolutely guarantee you that if you do not have a regular life jacket on board for everyone PLUS your inflatable Type V, in the state of Virginia you will get a ticket. In order to "count" as an approved PFD, a type V has to be worn. If you take it off it no longer counts and you need to have a regular PFD. There's really no debate on this and I don't want to see you get a citation. Straight from the Virginia Regs:
- A Type V life jacket needs to be worn according to the manufacturer label to meet safety requirements.
Look at your own picture and note APPROVED ONLY WHEN WORN
At the top it says recreational type II...commercial is type V.
TOXIC reply :
You can argue your case to the Minnow Marshal as he writes out your citation. The pic above the one I quoted states a a Class II. I've seen many, many tickets written on Bass Boat operators with no backup vests and only inflatables (not being worn).
clemsondds reply :
Well you can show them your own states website. It has a pretty good explanation of it. https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/boating/wog/equipment-regulations/#Personal_Flotation_Devices
Didn't mean for this to turn into this kind of debate. I'm just looking for pfd recommendations.
TOXIC reply :
On 3/28/2019 at 8:28 PM, clemsondds said:Well you can show them your own states website. It has a pretty good explanation of it. https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/boating/wog/equipment-regulations/#Personal_Flotation_Devices
Didn't mean for this to turn into this kind of debate. I'm just looking for pfd recommendations.
Nor did I. You can do whatever you want. I am just relaying my on the water experience. And the Quote I put in one of my posts above was from the regs you linked to. 
We were just safety checked last summer on the Potomac and the first thing the Warden asked for was to see our vests in addition to our inflatables. We were not wearing the inflatables at the time.
From SafeBoater.com
Equipment
2.3 Inflatables, Use & Care
Inflatables
It is now legal to have inflatable PFDs on board. In order for them to meet the lifejacket requirement, they must be worn if you are in an open boat.
On other boats, they must be worn while on deck or in the cockpit and they must be readily available for anyone down below.
Inflatable PFDs are not approved for use by people less than 16 years of age or people weighing less than 36.3 kg.
They are not approved for use on PWCs and those with an automatic inflator that works as soon as the operator is in the water, can not be used on sailboards.
clemsondds reply :
From what I have seen, the USCG and state laws default to what the vest says it is. If it says it's a type II or type III then you don't have to be wearing it and it counts. If it says type V, then you need to have a secondary pfd.
TOXIC reply :
On 3/28/2019 at 8:42 PM, clemsondds said:From what I have seen, the USCG and state laws default to what the vest says it is. If it says it's a type II or type III then you don't have to be wearing it and it counts. If it says type V, then you need to have a secondary pfd.
Last post from me. Do me a favor and call your local Game and Fisheries before you head out. That's all I ask. Your interpretation is wrong but please call them and for sure come back and let me know if I am wrong.
J Francho reply :
I live and fish on a Great Lake. There is presence on the water by the fire department, sheriff, USCG, and border patrol. I can assure you that you will be ticketed if you have only inflatables and not wearing them. It's why so many of us have those "orange bricks" of four in storage. None of my four inflatables say "Type II."
clemsondds reply :
On 3/28/2019 at 9:29 PM, J Francho said:I live and fish on a Great Lake. There is presence on the water by the fire department, sheriff, USCG, and border patrol. I can assure you that you will be ticketed if you have only inflatables and not wearing them. It's why so many of us have those "orange bricks" of four in storage. None of my four inflatables say "Type II."
Maybe that’s the problem...the one’s in stores now say type 2 or 3. Just looked at cabelas and they have a type 2 for $150. I’ve left a voicemail with the state boating law officer...hopefully I can get a final answer on this.
J Francho reply :
My Mustang HITs were around $250.
NHBull reply :
Laws differ from state to state. The top enforcement officers on my lake in NH for Marine Patrol and Fish and Game were the same mustang as mine and said an additional is not required in NH if I am not wearing one. They both also told be that even if it was, the fact that it is on the back of my seat would be good enough.
Truth be told, we all have the orange cheapo. It makes for a good protector for my back-up prop ????
NHBull reply :
The varying rules bothered me, so I just called the head of NH Marine Patrol. He said it is one of the most misunderstood issue he sees and admits many of his subordinates don't understand it. He said it is because it has changes 3 times over the last couple years.
The bottom line is that they do not distinguish between pull cord and self inflating so they consider all to be pull cord, thus making it legal if worn. It does not count if not worn since a pull cord won't float if not activated. Lessen learned!
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