What Pfd To Buy? 2024
Hi Salenity reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
AUTOMATIC ........you might be unconscious and unable to deploy a manual PFD.
Hi Salenity reply :
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 reply :
Yes they do count
Tight lines
Andrew
Bassintheweeds reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
On 2/26/2014 at 7:55 AM, Hi Salenity said: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 reply :
On 2/26/2014 at 7:55 AM, Hi Salenity said: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 reply :
On 2/26/2014 at 8:04 AM, Hi Salenity said: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 reply :
On 2/26/2014 at 8:03 AM, Bassintheweeds said: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 reply :
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 reply :
On 2/26/2014 at 8:33 AM, slonezp said: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 reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
On 2/26/2014 at 9:42 AM, Hi Salenity said: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 reply :
On 2/26/2014 at 7:55 AM, Hi Salenity said: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?
On 2/26/2014 at 8:04 AM, Hi Salenity said: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 reply :
On 2/27/2014 at 10:36 AM, BassnChris said: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 reply :
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 reply :
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.
stratoliner92 reply :
FWIWOn 3/4/2014 at 11:24 PM, Hi Salenity said: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.
I picked up the same jacket last weekend and called the company. Come to find out there is a date stamped on the yellow bobbin inside the mechanism that needs to be within 3yrs. of date not the C02 cylinder date as i was first told. Now i gota wear it !!
Fishes in trees reply :
I've got one of the Mustang HIT vests and I wear it nearly all the time. I have one of the bobbin type auto inflatables and it went off in my fishing truck after being stored in hyper hot & humid conditions. Only happened once. Now it is my borrowers vest, the one I give to any guy who is in the boat with me.
Hi Salenity reply :
On 3/4/2014 at 11:53 PM, deadadrift89 said:FWIW
I picked up the same jacket last weekend and called the company. Come to find out there is a date stamped on the yellow bobbin inside the mechanism that needs to be within 3yrs. of date not the C02 cylinder date as i was first told. Now i gota wear it !!
I saw that, btw nice Avatar fish!
tomustang reply :
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Tournament-3500-Auto-PFD/1806463.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3FrecordsPerPage%3D18%26No%3D0%26N%3D0%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dcabelas%2Btournament%2B3500%26search%3DSearch&No=0&Ntt=cabelas+tournament+3500
This is what we use, on sale of course. Super comfy and light
Dwight Hottle reply :
On 2/26/2014 at 7:55 AM, Hi Salenity said: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?
No they do not count if not being worn. That's in PA.
PoppaCrowe reply :
I know it's a little late on this posting but just adding 1 1/2 cents worth. I have had two heart attacks and a stroke and now I am retired so I do fish alone a lot. Not too many of my friends at my age are retired ! But I did promise the wifey I would not only buy but wear a decent life jacket. I was at BPS and shopping for a new jacket when the sales guy showed me the new inflatables . I tried on a few and was really surprised that the one on sale for $79.00 was the comfiest. It is simply an Onyx A/M 24 with the BPS label. But as stated here. I don't wear it for the game warden, I don't wear it for a tourney, I don't even wear it cause I told the wife I would. I wear it cause I'd like to see my Grandkids and Wife, and kids, after falling out of the boat when something does go bad. As far as Auto or Manual, If I can wear a contraption that is smarter and quicker than I can be to save my life, well what the heck I think I will. That's just my 1 1/2 cents worth. To each his own , I was also invincible at one time too. Tight lines to everyone...
tander reply :
I wear the old style life jacket. I always have my killed switch hooked up. I found a jacket that is comfortable to me and I don't have to worry if it will work or not, I guess old age has something to do with my decision. It is not the law here to wear one or have the kill switch hooked up, it's something I do so i can fish the next time.
gardnerjigman reply :
On 3/4/2014 at 11:24 PM, Hi Salenity said: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.
I have a similar one. It's an automatic manual but can be made to just be a manual.
buzzed bait reply :
i "upgraded" from a standard paddling PFD to an Onyx 24 A/M auto inflate and would never go back! the inflatable type is so comfortable you forget you're wearing it and that's the difference maker for me.
Hi Salenity reply :
On 2/15/2016 at 10:58 PM, gardnerjigman said:I have a similar one. It's an automatic manual but can be made to just be a manual.
How do you make it manual only?
gardnerjigman reply :
Mine has a "bobbin" in it that you can remove to make it manual only. Even has a label that pops out of the cartridge showing it's in manual only mode.
PAGreg reply :
Another Onyx a/m 24 deluxe user. Been wearing mine from the moment I step on the boat until the boat leaves the water for two years now. Totally forget I'm wearing it except for those times I forget to unhook my kill switch and it slingshots into my face.
If you get an automatic, get a rearming kit at the same time. The last thing you want is to take a dive in the middle of a tournament or such and then be without a functional vest the rest of the day. I keep a rearming kit in a watertight container on the boat.
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