[safeboater]

Check out this important video...

YouTube - Inflatable PFD vest - If it's Your boat, it's Your responsibility

 

[downeast450]

The Mustang auto inflating PFDs are excellent. We bought two this spring. Having a convenient and comfortable flotation device is important here on the Maine coast where just falling out of the dinghy in the harbor can be life threatening due to the cold water temperatures. Now, as the season progresses, we need a few more. It will be awkward to invite guests aboard and only have the high safety standard for the owners. At $250 a pop this safety thing is getting expensive.

 

[bloodhunter]

Now, as the season progresses, we need a few more. It will be awkward to invite guests aboard and only have the high safety standard for the owners. At $250 a pop this safety thing is getting expensive.

Tell me about it. We have four of the Mustangs that we've bought over the past three years. The other four are cheaper inflatables by Sospenders.
May replace them in the future but $1000 buys a lot of beer

 

[zz4gta]

They are nice, but I took the money I saved with my SOSpenders and bought a tether. Stay on the boat, and you'll never have to use the $250 life vest.

 

[downeast450]

Our two original vests have harnesses built in. I can't agree more that staying aboard is first. There is another plus and that is storage space. Our "old" offshore life preservers are very bulky to store. Having to keep least 6 of them in a locker somewhere is a storage issue I am glad we don't have anymore. Since we wear these there is no storage issue and no deployment issue; everyone is wearing their gear and it is comfortable here in the north east. These are for sudden events that require flotation. I am not always "clipped in" even with built in harnesses. Any "planned" exposure will involve our survival suits. Unfortunately for our guests there are only two of those, too.

 

[tommays]

I find a standard water ski type vest comfy CHEEP and effective

 

[sailingdog]

First, I think harnesses are more important, especially if single handing the boat. Staying on the boat is a priority over wearing a PFD. Second, having the harness and PFD integrated vastly simplifies things, especially if they're adjusted using a single mechanism, like the Spinlock Deckware Pro or Deckvest are.

Just curious, any reason you, safeboater, double posted this?? That's often considered rude and spamming the forum.