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So finally gonna upgrade to inflatable vests. Been looking at Stearns manual inflation Sospenders. Saw the chest pack one with zippered front pouch, anyone use these and how do you like them?
Anyone that uses inflatables what do you use and how do you like? Any dislikes? Anyone have the auto inflate, how wet do they have to get before inflating? Rain, wave spray, etc....
Thanks for any advice.
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I have 2 auto inflatables that I use. I have not had to inflate them yet. They are cabelas and I bought them on sale last year. South Carolina requires that they be worn all the time when in the boat or they do not count. I keep a couple regular jackets in my boat just in case. I mostly wear them when operating the boat as they are comfortable. Check your state laws about them and if you decide to get them get the full auto vest. Manual does not do any good if knocked out when thrown from boat.
I have three in my boat all automatic. Never have had to inflate them. But I also keep 3 regular life jackets just incase there is a problem. Never can be too safe. God mine at BPS when on sale. I like them. Not as cumbersome as regular life jackets.
I like my inflateables. One of my fishing buddies inflated one of mine when getting it out of storage.{pulled the red tee handle and it worked). Got them on sale at BPS. The reset kit is about 25.00. They do not count as a life preserver unless they are being worn. I really like them.
I've looked at them a few times. They seem kind of heavy.
I like mine. Had one to inflate on the dock at beach one time. Went to store and bought kit and installed it good as new now. They take up much less room in storage. All I use.
We wear these
Access Denied
very comfortable, have been driving home and realize I still had it on in the truck. Also keep 5 regular and 1 non automatic inflatable in boat.
I have one of the Mustang vests, that I always wear if I am fishing alone. I don't really notice it. I would buy one again, particularly after losing 3 friends to drowning. Each time, they were alone, and fell out of the boat in deep water. Its just too small a price to pay for the police not to call my mom and wife.
We recently purchased them for both of us. Bought the wife a BP brand which is made by Onyx that uses the dissolving pill to activate. I chose a Mustang Elite 28 which needs total submersion to activate. I fish in all kinds of weather and she is a fair weather angler. I didn't want to take a chance with rain or humidity setting mine off. We keep these things on all day and honestly, I forget it is on. I too worry about slipping or falling and taking a smack to the noggin' or landing in frigid water and going down for the count. Too many stories of folks drowning and life vest were nearby.
Can anyone comment on sizes of inflatables. Have tried several at sporting good stores an do not feel comfortable with one on. Does anyone know of a particular brand that is longer than others? The ones that I have found has the body strap some 5-6 inches above waist line and that is too high for me to be comfortable
I have 4 cabelas auto inflates, they are comfortable especially for someone that likes to wear theres all the time. Do not store them in the dry compartments when traveling. I have worn my in rain storms and did not inflate but nothig worse than going on a fishing trip, opening the dry compartment on the boat, only to find them all inflates. $25 or more on each recharge kit later, my vests were ready to go. Always put in cab of behicle when driving.
Why would storing them in a dry compartment cause them to auto inflate? That's where mine are and I haven't had the issue. Yet......?
FYI, have the Onyx "waist belt" type.
CG
I have a Mustang hydro static inflatable. You have to go under the water for it to inflate. I have been in driving rain and will not inflate. It has 38 lbs of buoyancy. Just what I need in the winter with all the clothes and boots on. Very comfortable in the summer. It is so comfortable that sometimes I forget to take it off until after I get off the boat
I bought a couple of the top of the line BPS vests last weekend. Hopefully we can get an opportunity to wear them soon!
I use the auto inflate, from BPS, I won,t leave the dock without it. I,m not as steady on my feet as I used to be.
The handle could get pulled downward when driving and locked in a compartment, also, water gets trapped inside of those compartments, along with condensation. The auto ones use a small valve with a dissolvable ball inside, so if you continuously get condensation inside of that mechanism, over time it will dissolve.Quote:
Originally Posted by NCkenner
Yep water has to go upwards and into the mechanism, some good engineering in that design.Quote:
Originally Posted by madmax
I picked up 3 Onix yesterday at Gander you get 30% with a Good Sam membership card.
Thanks for all the comments and reviews.
Thanks for all the info. Been trying them on different places and haven’t totally decided yet but am going auto inflate after some good points made. Headed out for the next week fishing and will for sure find what I like.
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Sorry, typo--Should have read "Got mine at BPS.
Not sure there was no water in the compartment, some condensation in window of jacket, but nothing like wearing in the rain. Not sure what happened. Havent had problem after that, i was also droving through some higher elevations. Havent had it happen in the cab and just leave them there.Quote:
Originally Posted by NCkenner
makes sense now why mine inflatedQuote:
Originally Posted by mattbowen61990
Wanted to say thanks to all that gave advice on inflatable vests. After trying several went with Onyx A/M 24’s. Got them after Christmas, been on a few trips and it’s barely there. Sure there are better deals somewhere but picked mine up at Academy for $89.99.
Thanks again!!
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Just remember these type vest only count if you are wearing them. They do not count in the "number of life vest on board" if you are checked by an officer. If you have two people on board and two inflatables but are not wearing them you have "0" life vest on board. This is the way it was explained to me during a random check. Luckily I had two regular vest as well. Is this y'alls understanding of the law as well?
[QUOTE=Leudy1;3767955]Just remember these type vest only count if you are wearing them. They do not count in the "number of life vest on board" if you are checked by an officer. If you have two people on board and two inflatables but are not wearing them you have "0" life vest on board. This is the way it was explained to me during a random check. Luckily I had two regular vest as well. Is this y'alls understanding of the law as well?
That was the way it was explained to me. So I always have regular life preservers on board. I wear the auto inflatable while fishing alone, but harly ever if I'm with someone else. However, lately I have been rethinking the hardly ever part of this equation.
My instructions say not to use them when it's below 40 degrees. I have an onyx a/m. What's ya'll thoughts on that?
Haven't heard that about the below 40 degrees before. Anyone else?
I have an 80 year old fishing buddy (more like an extra DAD) that isn't as sure footed as he used to be. His wife told us if he's gonna continue to go with me, he would have to start wearing a vest at all times. I bought us both a Stearns manual waist belt type and we've been using them for a year or so and really don't have anything negative to say about them. The plus is they have d rings on them that hold the trolling motor remote nicely.
Chris
Aren't there two different types of auto-inflates as far as that rule goes? I thought the rules were different if you were using auto-inflates or manual inflates.