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I am now convinced that it makes sense to have a PFD on all the time. I will have to convince the first mate also. I want one that is very comfortable and as unobtrusive as possible.

Sailnet is having a sale on inflatable life vests.

Any recommendations?

For what its worth.

I was in the marine supply store a couple of weeks ago and overheared the salesman explaining to a customer that the new model of the Mustang inflateble PFD was introduced (at a higher price) because the new design fits better at the back of the neck and aparently does not cut into the back of the neck and is therefore less fatiguing.

I have not worn erther model and can not comment if it is true or not, but the expalinatiion made sense.

I bought a couple from Mustang last year. I got the auto inflatable ones with the D rings so I can also attach a tether. No experience with other brands and luckily I haven't had to deploy mine yet. I went with Mustang because I read something about a Sospenders recall around the time I was purchasing.

We have the same ones as Dan. The Admiral tested hers while boarding the dink and it inflated immediately. It kept her afloat and stayed inflated for several days till I installed the replacement C02 cartridge. I think they are very well designed and made.

Practical Sailor rated the Sospenders first with the Mustang and Stearns next out of nine tested.

Sailnet has a sale on safety gear thru 5 Apr. I just ordered the Mustang manual model w/harness. I'm not to kean on an auto-inflate model with the chance of accidental inflation.

On inland lakes it's not so critical, but everyone on my boat wears a PFD at all times when on cold water, either our Bay or the Pacific (60 degrees, or less). I bought an auto-inflate with harness. I think they're a particularly good choice for potentially rough waters.

I also find the simple, old-fashioned zip-up vest just as comfortable, at about one-third the price, but it lacks the harness. It also helps keep one warm, and provides a built-in padded backrest. (The fancy ones don't provide that padding).

Most importantly, we always wear a PFD on the Bay - everyone aboard, always!

Hello:
What is your opinion on use of auto-inflatable vests worn full time?
Is there a possibility of becoming trapped below during a capsize?
Do you take it off and put it back on many times a day?
Is it easy to get into and out of?

Sorry about all the questions but I have been thinking about purchasing some for the wife and I. As we get older we are not as strong of swimmers as we used to be. All we currently use are those bulky orange Mae West's

Don,
We wear ours all the time as Puget Sound is 48 +-3 degrees year round! Got into the habit when we started kayaking. The vests are comfortable and although they are easy to take off and put on we leave them on all the time when on the boat unless anchored or at the dock. I think the vest would help your chances in a capcize if you are in the cockpit. It may be a tossup if in the cabin, but why are you in the cabin if conditions are rough enough for a capcize? If, for the most extreme example, you were upside down and the vest was pinning you to the sole it is very easy to unsnap the waist band and slide out. The waist buckle (on our Mustangs) is not unlike the waist buckle on a good backpack. This is opinion of course, as I have never tested the vest while upside down in the boat.

You didn't ask, but I can tell you we have never had one inflate spontaneously or from rain or spray. You pretty much have to go into the water to get it to inflate. They it does--pronto--as the Admiral can attest.

Don we are in our early 60's and are still strong swimmers, but in 50 or even 60 degree water you are not going to be swimming. The vest is important. In our kayaking class (many years ago) we learned that many drownings of good swimmers come from the involuntary inhale caused by the shock of hitting such cold water. Only a PFD will help in these circumstances.

I went with the auto-inflation model as I didn't want a klunk on the head as I tumble overboard to send me to the deeps, unconscious. The Mustang model also has handles to inflate manually if it doesn't happen automatically.

I just bought a couple of SOSPPENDER Automatic Type II inflatables from West Marine. Price hovered around $115 each after boat show/other discounts. Normaly they're in the $160 range.

You can currently buy CG approved inflatable in types II, III, and V, in both automatic and manual types. You can also buy type V hybrid automatics for children under 16, a relatively new change (type V must be worn all the time to count against the vessels PFD requirement, but the nice thing about inflatables is that you DO forget that you're wearing them). Type II, what we got, will tend to keep an unconscious person face up.

http://www.rutabaga.com/product.asp?pid=1007803

I just ordered one of these. I didn't want the autoinflate feature.

Life is good

The Admiral came back from the store with four new Stearns vest PFDs from the surplus store at $5 each

"They were a good deal and you can always use them"

God Bless you Honey.

Auto inflates are very good ideas and if you properly maintain the salt button they don't just activate without a dousing. In all my years I have never seen a crew's vest accidently inflate while being doused on the rail. On a sailboat when people go over they usually are not within their wherewithall to remember to pull the cord. If you are in tropical waters and concious then sure you may recall to inflate the thing. If you hit the water in Frisco, Long Island, or the PNW your brain may or may not remind you to pull the manual cord before it focuses on breathing and keeping warm.

Mustang has a new line called LIFT lifejackets designed to raise your head at least 9" above the water. I have seem them in a live demo and was one of the first to sign up for a model. Very well engineered, lightweight, and easy to wear. It's the same PFD as in their offshore foulie PFD/Jacket combo.

We wear PFD's all the time, it just makes sense. Hubby has a Mustang Auto/Harness. I have a SOSpenders Auto/Harness (til my new LIFT jacket comes in) Women tend to do better with SOSpenders brand as they are made for shorter waists, the Mustang standard size can cut into legs when sitting in the PFD.