Likes: 
Thanks: 
HaHa: 
Daddy Daughter
Reply With QuoteOn a related note:
Last fall, as we sat around Crappie camp, the topic of life jackets came up. I always said that I make my daughter wear her life jacket. This got me thinking however. I was being a hypocrite. She is wearing hers, but I am not wearing mine? The lake is one thing, but on a busy river, with current in the 4mph range, anything can happen.
Over the winter I thought about it more and more. Specifically, she is safe, but I cannot ensure a safe return for her if something happens to me. What if I fall out of the boat? She is safe from immediate harm. Or, god for bid, she falls in, you know I'm going to get her. What if something happens? I'm a great swimmer (actually was a swim instructor at one time) and was trained in the Marines with 80lbs on my back but... this is my daughter.
I hate conventional life jackets. They don't fit right, bind up, and are restrictive. I saved my money through the winter in the hopes to purchase an inflatable type PFD.
In February, I went to Cabela's and tried on all the different models. There were two that I really liked. The 3500 auto angler, and the new 3500 guide series. One was $149.00 and the other was $169.00
Expensive, yes. But put a price tag on life.
As luck would have it (not always the case in my book), the 3500 auto angler went on sale (still on sale) for $100.00. I bought two of them. They were delivered on Monday.
Last night, as I put her jacket on, I slipped mine on. I gotta tell you, I wore that thing all evening (about 6 hours) and never once even thought about it. I never knew it was there. When it came time to motor down river, the wind was chilly. I put my parka on right over the top of it. Again, never knew it was there. Fit right under my coat without issues.
I could fit 10 of these things in the same storage as three regular jackets. I will purchase another one to ensure all my passengers will have one available to them on my boat.
Get one, you won't be disappointed. As soon as she is big enough, I will purchase one for her. I didn't skimp on her first one, I won't skimp on the next. Now, if something bad happens, we know we are coming home!
