Life jackets!?

I am a firm believer in always wearing a life jacket while underway and alone in my boat… But I get too comfortable without it when it gets nice out and I have a fishing partner with, my main issue is that I have a jacket thats just too bulky. What do you guys wear, and do you have a jacket you wear while standing and casting? My dad has one of the small ones with a co2 cartridge but if I go out of my boat I am assuming I would be knocked out and have no way of pulling the release!

Are you ready??

i actually have the unfortunate experience of having a boating accident and being thrown into ice water w/o a life jacket.

now i feel undressed without one. i recently went with a CO2 automatic cabelas jacket and was very favorably impressed with how comfortable it is. MUCH better than my previous foam jackets.

NOW if you are fishing over COLD water, neoprene is indispensable. I would and do wear both. life is too short as it is. to miss any of it is a mistake.

Cabelas makes some nice jackets with a neoprene collar and a mesh upper half. I use these for tourney fishing when the big motor is running. Still havent found one that is comfortable during fishing.

The only time I would really need one for fishing would be rough waters fishing skis on mille Lacs… Other then that I just want something easy, small, and lightweight that I can toss on easy. I never really have cared about it and just would wear a neoprene jacket I had for wakeboarding but I have a year old boy now and you better believe I will do everything in my power to be the person to take him fishing for the first time!

I guide at night. I can’t afford to have someone fall out of my boat whether anchored or moving. If this should happen, I’ll have a very good chance of “catching” them as the river currents take them down stream.

My boat does not leave the dock without all on board wearing a Float Tech Inflatable PFD<

Float Techs are by far the most comfortable PFD on the market. Many of my clients try to leave still wearing them. Now if you forget your wearing a PFD, how much more comfortable can a person get?

They come with a vest and nylon jacket with removable sleeves for added versatility. “D” rings to hook your dead man tether to and it’s hooded for those cold night or rain showers that come out of no where.

The PFD around your boat chairs may cover the law, but will do you little good when a person is thrown or falls out of the boat.

Why else will you go swimming?

USCG Approved Type V
and
Catfish Guide Tested.

I just bought a C0-2 style from Fleet Farm ..$100 for it. It has a rip cord and it also will inflate when submersed in water so if you are knocked out it would still function right. they are so comfy,,,just like a Mustang version but I think it might be more reasonable.

FF

The full jacket.

The vest alone.

If it’s too hot to wear a Float Tech, it’s too hot to be wearing a tee shirt.

Must be worn and not for children under 16 years.

The Cabela’s Green Float Tech’s

Life is too short to leave your partner alone when it could be avoided.

Why should I wear a PFD when there’s others in the boat? Because I might be the one needed to go in after them.

The reflective piping makes it a snap to find the unlucky guy at night.

What happens if the 80 pound braid snaps?

Float Tech, wear it~Live with it.

Brian, can you buy them with out the jacket?

Al

Last I heard the vest was available alone.

BTW, I have a Nextag search going for the complete Float Tech’s. Best price I’ve seen is $279.00.

Link to Vest only<

I didn’t check if this was the lowest price available.

here’s how important i think PFDs are:

I have a commercial account with Cabelas. I get ~10% off. If you want any of their PFDs, paypal me the amount + shipping and i will drop ship it to you.

here’s the url:

Short Link<<

contact me at [email protected]

stu:

That’s an awfully nice offer!!!

Mark

well it’s a win/win. if i order enuf, i get a shipping credit.

and the less money i give to cabelas, the better!!

Might take you up on your offer, I have been thinking about buying a comfortable jacket for years but have never pulled the trigger / no pun intended. Quetico trip every year would be pay back enuf for me. Nothing worse than dealing with a bulky jacket all day portaging / canoeing…

Is it safe to have these under your zipped jacket if you choose?

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The only time I would really need one for fishing would be rough waters fishing skis on mille Lacs… Other then that I just want something easy, small, and lightweight that I can toss on easy. I never really have cared about it and just would wear a neoprene jacket I had for wakeboarding but I have a year old boy now and you better believe I will do everything in my power to be the person to take him fishing for the first time!

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I hear your 1st sentence all the time. “I only need it if…….” well, we all know people drown in their bath tubs every year. Last I checked there isn’t much for wind and wakes in a tub. Fact is not wearing a life jacket makes as much sense as not wearing a seat belt. They are there for a reason. Stuff happens and when it does, it happens fast.

Everybody needs to ask their selves one question, How would your wife explain your drowning to your kids or grand kids?

Brian posted the link for the best thing going, if you can’t afford those at least wear a quality life jacket.

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Is it safe to have these under your zipped jacket if you choose?

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From their manual

Always wear your Float-TechTM PFD in Float-Tech approved apparel.
Do not wear Float-Tech under any clothing other than that indicated on
the approved list. The approved outerwear list can be found on the
USCG Website or http://www.floattech.com, or contact the manufacturer.
(See contact information on page 23 of this manual)

And…

D. Can I wear my Float-TechTM PFD with other Jackets?
NO, the Float-TechTM PFD is designed to fit with the approved Jackets only.
DO NOT wear the liner under any other jacket or apparel. Refer to our website
http://www.floattech.com or contact us directly for a list of approved outer jackets for
this device. Contact information is on page 23 of this manual.

And…

If you have any questions about the initial arming, rearming, repacking please
contact the manufacturer.
Contact Information:
If you have any additional questions or concerns please feel free to contact us
through the information provided below.
Boat Safe!
Address:
Float-Tech Inc.
216 River Street
Troy, NY 12180
Phone: 518-266-0964
Fax: 518-266-0318
Website: http://www.floattech.com

Thanks for that info Allen, due to the impact on gear from this type of trip that style would not work for my application

Personally, I could care less what PDF you’re wearing, as long as you’re wearing one.

The outer Rally Jackets are made to expand on activation of the vest. Wearing a tight jacket over the top of the vest will very much restrict your ability to breath/move.

On a side note, the jacket does not have to be zipped up. The 2 snap locks on the vest do need to be secure though.

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Thanks for that info Allen, due to the impact on gear from this type of trip that style would not work for my application

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I was wondering about early spring or late fall when the parka’s come out and how they would work.

I see that Mustang has a belt extender for their PDF’s and I’m thinking that might work for us manly men who wear a large size and then add a winter coat. ?

Al

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What happens if the 80 pound braid snaps?

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Damn, that is a good-looking fella!

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I was wondering about early spring or late fall when the parka’s come out and how they would work.

I see that Mustang has a belt extender for their PDF’s and I’m thinking that might work for us manly men who wear a large size and then add a winter coat. ?

Al

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I wear just the vest portion over my winter apparel with no problems. They expand quite a bit. I like to wear mine out on the early ice.

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What happens if the 80 pound braid snaps?

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Damn, that is a good-looking fella!

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Did you tongue that fish too???

No, his soon to be wife was along.

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No, his soon to be wife was along.

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Yeah, she tongued it (the fish, that is)

Very seldom did I ever wear a life jacket.They always were so uncomfortable and bulky.I was lucky enough to be out catfishing with Mr. Klawitter two years ago and wore his Float Tech jackets. I felt a little awkward about wearing it at first, but after awhile you don’t even realize you are wearing it.

Soon after that I was lucky enough to buy two, they are always in my boat,I just don’t fish without my Float Tech.

IMHO they are the most comfortable vets I have ever worn.

I highly recomend them.

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No, his soon to be wife was along.

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Yeah, she tongued it (the fish, that is)

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I’m not even going to comment on “she has the wrong end Ralf”.

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No, his soon to be wife was along.

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Yeah, she tongued it (the fish, that is)

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Looks like the fish is ready for some action