Inflatable Lifejacket

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Do you like them?
Do you use one?
If so which one do you use?
Do you wear it when fishing or just when running the outboard?

 

[TightlineT]

Yes I like mine
Use each trip and don't take off till getting in the truck
I think mine is made by mustang, but it has bass pro shops on it - the auto inflatable one

 

[Carl Guffey]

<font size="3" face="georgia,palatino">I have had a SOS since 2000... Put it on when I get out of the truck, take it off when I climb back in. Just a reminder though. I always keep mine in the truck. I used to have two and I would leaveone in the boat. Went to put it on and it had auto-inflated in a compartment, not a pretty picture. Moisture and auto-inflates do not mix. Also, they will not fully inflate in cold water and given the extra weight of winter clothing it could make for a disaster. Always wear a full size conventional when winter fishing, if for no other reason then it is a lot warmer.</font>

 

[fischnrod]

I like mine
I always wear it never know its there unless I don't shave and then it reminds me
===Mustang=== not suppose to inflate until fully submerged
I had a less expensive model that inflated in the dry storage of my boat
I am tempted to test it at times but it cost about $75.00 bucks for a rearm kit for the model I have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVFa3lVnVJ4

 

[jd131]

Thanks for the info - I wear mine all the time, but I did not know it would not fully inflate in cold water. I have also wanted to test it to make sure it will hold me up - I can't find anything about the weight limit.

 

[captain kirk]

One other safety tip about the inflatables. Most have a manual blowup tab, so make sure it's plugged in.

 

[finbully]

I like mine - Sopenders brand.

Don't leave it in the truck as others said. I used to until mine inflated while the truck was parked in my dirveway.

Mine fully inflated this winter when I dumped myself out of my kayak into 42 dergee water. I was able to swim to shore and my buddy drug my kayak to me. Yes, after a short recovery period we kept on fishing.

 

[jd131]

A friend left his in the truck in hot weather and it inflated, too....glad to hear that it did fully inflate in cold water.

 

[MadBomber]

I have a Bass Pro version of the Mustang. A Christmas present from my Grandsons. I wear it all the time I'm in the boat. My first inflatable is a Stearns from Wally World. I have itin the boat for whoever is fishing with me. I put wearinga PFD right up there with wearing a seat belt. When you need it it's too late!!!

 

[Carl Guffey]

jd131 - 2/9/2013 7:36 AM A friend left his in the truck in hot weather and it inflated, too....glad to hear that it did fully inflate in cold water.

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<font size="3" face="georgia,palatino">He didn't say it fully inflated. In 42 degree water it didn't. It is very simple physics: a volume of air at 80 degrees is not the same volume of air at 42 or lower. Luckily Finbully was a competent good swimmer and not unconscious. Be careful with inflates, the life you save may be your own.</font></p>

 

[jd131]

Thanks Carl, not what I wanted to hear, but glad you pointed it out - I'm not a good swimmer so I better switch during the winter months.