[MedSailor]

I like to stay within the USCG regulations at all times, and I also am a strong believer in personal safety. These things sometimes (but not always) overlap .

One area of compliance is PFDs in the tender. Even if it's a very quick jaunt to shore, I always make sure we have enough. Sometimes we're wearing them, sometimes not. Once ashore, we're definitely not wearing them, so they stay in the boat.

The constant issue I have is that if I take our expensive inflatable ones with us, I worry they may get pilfered from the dinghy while we're away. If I have cheap foam ones, they're less likely to be worn and take up a lot of space in the tender.

What do y'all do for tender PFDs?

MedSailor

 

[MarkofSeaLife]

I have a normal old style life jacket under the fuel tank.

No, i dont wear it.

 

[TomMaine]

2 cheap pfd's buckled around the aft seat. Out of the way but you could get them off in a hurry. Our dinghy is very safe,,as long as it's not overloaded. As important for me, a spare oar lock.

They last 3-4 years this way. I paid about 10 bucks a piece.

 

[tdw]

Much the same I'm afraid. Couple of cheapies that are rarely if ever worn and whose loss would not be missed.

 

[Don L]

I use the cheapies in the dinghy. Only wear them if it is real choppy out.

 

[aeventyr60]

Old ski vest type pfd's to satisfy the man.

 

[capttb]

Yep, I Just toss a couple of them disposable orange ones that come with every boat and seem to breed like rabbits in dock boxes and other dark places. I cleaned out the garage this summer and found 14 of them hidden in the corners.

 

[bvander66]

We have two foam to cover cg reqr, usually have inflatable belt when in dingy if rough or current. Easy to stow in seat, and keep our expensive pfd/harness aboard mothership

 

[pdqaltair]

Cheap water ski vests with mildew. No one would ever want them.

I will wear one if it is cold, night, or very rough, and I am alone.

 

[PorFin]

We too use ski vest style PFD's in the dinghy. Since they are much less annoying to wear that the cheap-o orange PFD's we're much more likely to put them on.

However, I've been thinking about getting a fishing vest style when the time comes to replace what we've got now. Having pockets for the handheld VHF, wallet, phone, what-have-you would be a real benefit instead of having that stuff in a backpack that gets tossed aboard.

 

[Minnewaska]

This exact four pack, lashed to a ring inside the dink and often used as a seat.

 

[Group9]

The cheapo orange ones, just lying in the boat.

They make good cushions to sit on.

 

[Minnewaska]

The cheapo orange ones, just lying in the boat.

They make good cushions to sit on.

Looks like you might need them. I can't make out a tiller or a wheel.

 

[MedSailor]

Looks like you might need them. I can't make out a tiller or a wheel.

Control freak! :laugher

MedSailor

 

[Minnewaska]

Control freak! :laugher

MedSailor

A real control freak would have said to get the bow off the transom!

 

[bljones]

our dinghy pfd's double as seat cushions.

 

[MedSailor]

Seems as though there is a consensus on tossing crappy lifejackets in the dink. That's what I was previously doing.... Continue I shall.

 

[svzephyr44]

Make sure your boat name is on the life jackets. I was in Simpson Bay Lagoon with four life jackets (the $10 cheap kind - $20 in St. Maarten) in the boat. The Dutch marine police were checking underway dinghy passengers. I returned to my dinghy to find two stolen - the ones I hadn't gotten around to marking, and two left - the ones with Reboot stenciled on them. A word to the wise...

Fair winds and following seas

PS: I never leave anything in the dinghy except the oars and life jacket. Lights, handheld GPS, flares, hand held depth sounder etc. all come on shore with me. A royal pain but better than theft. I usually take the fuel line with me too. And Reboot is written on everything!

 

[Group9]

Looks like you might need them. I can't make out a tiller or a wheel.

I use "The Force" to steer!

 

[MedSailor]

No wheel. No tiller. GREAT anti-theft measures!

MedSailor