Inflatable life jackets

Am looking to get a few inflatable life jackets just wondering what brand I should get and just don’t want to spend a fortune . There are so many out there am not to sure what to get

I have the cabelas guardian 3500 and is comfortable to wear and was priced right, never had it go off yet but wear it most of the time in boat. unless its really hot out I forget its on

Mustang Survival Corp M.I.T. 100 Auto Activation PFD.

Have 2 of these. Light, comfortable to wear. And they are Mustang! $129 free shipping from Amazon. Also, Fleet Farm has them in Stock at the Oakdale store. I think they were retailing there for $159.

http://www.amazon.com/Mustang-Survival-M-I-T-Activation-Fluorescent/dp/B00WFRICWO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1500294613&sr=8-5&keywords=auto+inflate+life+vest

-J.

Thanks Jon. Ordered. Just the nudge I needed to finally get my wife one of these. I already have a Mustang (and use it) along with one of those clunky ones BK likes.

I have the Mustang as well and really like it.

I figure if the guys on Deadliest Catch use Mustang, must be a decent product/company.

-J.

Here is one that has recently dropped on amazon. It is the entry level Onyx, manual/automatic for under $90. I have an old gander branded model that uses the same inflation unit as this one. I like it alot.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0032ALK36/ref=s9_acsd_zwish_hd_bw_bEGEl_c_x_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-12&pf_rd_r=M2W0B88S8NTEZMS6EYJ5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=cb6e18bc-08b0-5147-8c0f-8b9874637680&pf_rd_i=3399011

Remember they are not legal unless you wear them.

I have a couple of the Onyx A33 In-Sight inflatables and really like them. Very comfortable and light weight.

tim hurley wrote:

Remember they are not legal unless you wear them.

in Kansas and NE they only have to be on if the big motor is running

tim hurley wrote:

Remember they are not legal unless you wear them.

I’ve heard this many times, but I can’t find in the MN boating regulations where it says this. Been meaning to ask a CO or sheriff but haven’t been stopped in a while.

Depends on the category of the life preserver.

http://www.boatus.org/life-jackets/types/

Let’s take the Mustang MIT100 for an example. It is rated USCG – UL1180 – Inflatable PFDs 160.076 – Type V (Commercial Use); Type III (Recreational Use)

http://www.mustangsurvival.com//recreational/md2016-02?division=recreation&country=25

From the BoatUS link above a Type V “Must be worn to meet federal requirements.”
And a Type III does not mention anything in regards to wearing it.

So by that, If you are using it in a commercial setting then it must be worn, recreational doesn’t necessarily need to be worn. However the only good life jacket is a worn life jacket.

I highly suggest looking at the rating of all life preservers and studying up on the different classes and what they are and are not rated for. For example, you should not be using a Type II during Type I conditions.

got checked by 3 different wardens and all said the same but I allways had it on anyway

Ranger apparently hands out Mustang Elite 28 vests with new boats because you’ll see them for sale from time to time brand new with the ranger logo on them. I picked up two that way for a great price – very nice PFDs.

john23 wrote:

Ranger apparently hands out Mustang Elite 28 vests with new boats because you’ll see them for sale from time to time brand new with the ranger logo on them. I picked up two that way for a great price – very nice PFDs.

They sell them…for $300…

https://rangerwear.com/ranger-mustang-elite-jacket

i keep regular ones in the boat for each occupant but use the inflatables. that way we can take them off if need be. depending upon where we fish, we leave them on though most of the time.

we use cabelas 3500’s.

I have the Cabelas 3500 And Stearns Suspenders. they both self inflate while stored in the boat in the garage. At 20 to 30 bucks for recharge kits it gets costly. Has anyone else had this happen?

All three of my onyx jackets self inflated last week! $22 for each recharge kit. Anybody want to buy my slightly inflated pfds?

The “pill” that dissolves with moisture should be replaced per manufacturers recommendations. Normally every two years for recreational boaters. Don’t need to buy the whole recharge kit, just the pill.

With the price of these PFD’s, I take a little better care of them compared to the $30. foam Type III vests. I take them inside each time I’m done boating.

Most boats have some water in the hull. Add heat of the summer in a closed compartment and that moisture dissolves the pill and you’ll have an inflated PFD.

Take them out of your boat and hang them in a closet and replace the pill per manufacturers recommendations and you’ll be fine.

Oh, might want to manually blow them up and leave them over night to ensure they aren’t leaking while your at it.

That’s normal maintenance.

PS Dave, check Fleet Farm. Trumar found they have been at times less expensive there.

Thanks bk, I was checking the ff price. They were fine in my boat last year, but I did relocate them this spring. I’ll just put my old foam pfds back in.

Hey BK, thanks to you I finally got an inflatable PFD. Every time I see you post about them I email the wife a link to one on sale somewhere. Last week I got home and one was laying on the counter. She said “enough already, you better wear it”

sticker wrote:

Hey BK, thanks to you I finally got an inflatable PFD. Every time I see you post about them I email the wife a link to one on sale somewhere. Last week I got home and one was laying on the counter. She said “enough already, you better wear it”

I need to do that with my wife. Every time I send her a pic from the boat without a vest on she flips her lid. No excuses, I’m just not always as smart as I should be.

Brian Klawitter wrote:

The “pill” that dissolves with moisture should be replaced per manufacturers recommendations. Normally every two years for recreational boaters. Don’t need to buy the whole recharge kit, just the pill.

With the price of these PFD’s, I take a little better care of them compared to the $30. foam Type III vests. I take them inside each time I’m done boating.

Most boats have some water in the hull. Add heat of the summer in a closed compartment and that moisture dissolves the pill and you’ll have an inflated PFD.

Take them out of your boat and hang them in a closet and replace the pill per manufacturers recommendations and you’ll be fine.

Oh, might want to manually blow them up and leave them over night to ensure they aren’t leaking while your at it.

That’s normal maintenance.

Mine resides in my truck. It is the first step in my launch routine and the last step. I have even caught myself walking into the house with it still on a few times.

Atta boy HuntingDave!

She said “enough already, you better wear it”

What ever it takes Sticker! (and glad to be of help!)

grizzly wrote:

I have the cabelas guardian 3500 and is comfortable to wear and was priced right, never had it go off yet but wear it most of the time in boat. unless its really hot out I forget its on

Love mine, never had to use it. thinking I might jump in this weekend to see if it works. probably could use a new co2 or kit. Been a few years.

Not a bad idea to see what is like when it goes off either.