Anyone know of a good place order some auto PFD's. Used one of CL Farms while in MS this year really would like to get me and the boys some. I'm a bit of a tite wad so anyone know of any sales ?
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Anyone know of a good place order some auto PFD's. Used one of CL Farms while in MS this year really would like to get me and the boys some. I'm a bit of a tite wad so anyone know of any sales ?
Academy Sports runs them on sale for $79 from time to time. Best price I've seen for an auto inflate.
What is your life worth and your kids life worth? Ask yourself that sir before you buy.
Cabela's is having a sale these are made by mustang. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabel...FD/1801515.uts
They wear the big bulky ones just don't want to spend a fortune seen some over 2 hundred
Just be aware that you have to have them on at all times (in some states), in order for them to be considered as PFD's in the eyes of the law. If you're not wearing them when seen/checked by the CO, and you don't have another PFD within easy access ... you can be ticketed for not having a PFD for each person on board your boat.
Auto inflating PFD's only count when being worn, according to my Mustang Auto PFD.
The Illinois Handbook of Boating Laws lists the auto inflating PFD as a Type III ... but, my Auto PFD lists itself as a Type V. ... so you might check with your F&W people as to the discrepancy.
... cp :kewl
:hesaid
In Michigan, if they are not on, they don't count.
Cabelas has been running a sale all month on their 3500 auto tournament series. When talking to them, they run daily sales. One day they were $79.00, the next they were $119.00. Still a far cry from the normal $179.00 price.
The whole point of them is to get people out of the stigma of "NOT" wearing a PFD. They make them comfortable enough to be worn all day. This is the reason the conservation officers and Marine patrol look at them as NOT a PFD if they are not on. If your not wearing them, what is the point of getting them. They become the same as the old bulky ones sitting in the bottom of the boat. They do take up less space for storage though.
Question !! Maybe a dumb Question!! Have been looking at these also!! How do you know they work until they get wet???? If you are thrown out of the boat will they inflate when you hit the water!! Is their a way of testing them???? What good are they if they don't work when you hit the water!! Am an EMT,Firefighter test our equipment before we go in!!!!
Mine worked in the sink when wife tried to clean it up. If it doesn't work auto, you have a blow up tube to huff and puff.
I don't recommend auto inflaters for non swimmers or scaredie cats. But, hey, it is your life.
Well, you can test it by throwing it into the water. If it does inflate, you will have to purchase another co2 cartridge to re-arm the inflation apparatus. That will cost you about 10-15$. If it does not inflate automatically, there is a string you can pull that should inflate it. If it STILL does not inflate, there is a mouth piece that you can manually blow to inflate it. So, there are 3 ways to inflate it. At least, that's how mine works. I purchased it earlier this year at Academy for about $75.
Also, don't leave it out in the sun. If it gets too hot, it will inflate . I found that out the hard way. I had to purchase another co2 cartridge and I goofed up when installing it, and IT inflated the vest again. So I had to order another one. I went ahead and ordered 2 in case I goofed up again. LOL
Anyway, they are worth the money. Hope this helps.
I have a Mustang that I wear at all times in the boat, heck I forget to take it off most of the time when I walk to the truck to take the boat out. I don't swim well and fish alone 99.9% of the time in the winter. It may not save my life in cold water but it will make me a lot easier to find. BTW mine also has a pull handle to activate in case it doesn't auto inflate.
I am like Justin. The first time I used my Onyx I was all the way home before I realized I still had it on.
I purchased mine at a local shop. I went in to look at them and the owner of the shop said he would match any other store. I told him what BPS was selling them for and he laughed a little and showed my the price sticker and it was $.99 less. I bought it and a replacement kit which is the cylinder and the little dohicky that sets it off when it gets wet. And one last thing - store them INSIDE where they will stay dry. Constant moisture will eventually dissolve the dohicky and you will find your PFD inflated when you go to get it out.
Amazon.com Saw some for $99. I think you still have to have the other type in the boat. As I understand it, if you fall in and it inflates, once you are rescued it no longer qualifies because it has inflated. I still carry the other type in my storage. Just saying.
I would try some on before buying. Some rub the neck. I don't believe they make these for kids. I dunno for sure.
I also wear the Mustang. I got it a BPS this year to replace Sospenders that are 6-7 years old.
Thanks guys for all the info
Just get a couple balloons and tie one to each ear
I have a couple Mustang Bass Models and really like them, they cost a bit more but are comfortable and cool, For me, my fear is getting knocked out if I go overboard so I went with the autoinflate. This model has a green indicator telling you its good to go. also has a manual inflation tube which if I'm knocked out aint gonna help same withthe pull tab.
Only time I have had a problem was when wife wanted to go fishing and I walked her through the PFD fitting and operation. Next thing I knew, she pulled the tab because she wanted to make sure it worked. She got to fish all day with a fully inflated PFD. I figured it was a good test to make sure it did not deflate over time which is a standard test that you are supposed to do periodically. BTW it stayed fully inflated.
Typically manual inflate are considered type 3 and autoinflate are type 5
The following link explains the rating system
USCG PFD Categories - Types I-V
Since my Mustangs are getting older, I have been considering going to a type 1 and keep searching until I find one that is comfortable to wear. Reason being is I like storage pockets.
cp, you have to wear the V in Virginia to be legal. The II & III you don't have to wear.Quote:
Originally Posted by CrappiePappy
Yep, same here in Ky.Quote:
Originally Posted by Don G
... cp :kewl
The one thing that was not talked about her is the Mustang type I have will turn you right side up. I too don't swim well and have very stiff joints, Paid few bucks for mine at BPS. Thanks Don, CP for the wearing info, as I live in N.C. I need to check here as I fish both states. I know I need to replace the arming disc as its dated. But for peace of mind I went with the Mustang.
Yeah, mine is the Mustang Universal MD3031 Type V ... and will turn you face up (35lbs buoyancy). It clearly states that it "must be worn to be approved" in several places on the instructions manual tags.Quote:
Originally Posted by tahoe 50
... cp :kewl
Does anyone know of a manufacturer that makes auto/manual inflatables in tall sizes, the ones I have tried all seem to be one size fits all and ride too high in my stomach/ chest area to be comfortable especially with winter time clothing on????
Quote:
Originally Posted by CrappiePappy
Same in Arkansas.
I'm still watching for good sale you'd think this time of the year that someone would have a clearance sale
Thanks to all the great people on CDC
I learned something again. Did not know that the inflatable did not count if you did not have it on.
I wear mine if I am fishing alone Try to remember to put it on when running the big motor. Don't always wear it when its nice out.
I had better put another vest in the boat.
I have been reading some other post that are negative about how they don't get fishing info ect ect ect
This is a great place to learn a lot if you just listen
You need to check for age limits on the auto pfd's. I think you have to be 16 years old to be able to use one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gobob
You need the Mustangs with HIT, these will be fine to wear in the rain. I have stored mine in the storage box on the way home several times with no problems. If you buy the cheaper ones, get several re-arming kits because you WILL use them. Also if they are wet, dont throw the cheaper ones in the storage box, allow to air dry in the open, or they will inflate. Buying the vest is best to go with the best you can get to avoid spending the money later.
When i store mine i just hang it on the steering wheel column.
Probably not a real good idea to store them in your boat's storage boxes, especially if your boat is stored outside & subject to high humidity, heavy fog, or getting rained on. Friend of mine did just that ... put his inflatable PFD in a locked storage bin in his boat, only to have it inflate & burst the top of that storage bin, requiring him to get a replacement lid. :Doh:
... cp :kewl
Ok Cabelas has the 3500 auto PFD's $50 off until the 19th if you got their flyer in the mail , I got 2 on the way Boo Yahh