PFD Cost

[gabid]

My Bad. Here is the link.
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-A ... _THUMBNAIL
Thanks,

I prefer the ones which have harness incorporated, so I can clip a lifeline.

[Catigale]

You do have to remember to add recharge kits to your cot of ownership on these things...there is both a cartridge and a pill in the kit on most.

We were careful to buy the same models for the family so we only keep a couple sets of spares on Board. We still also carry the standard PFDs for swimming and the like

[Tomfoolery]

Any ideas how long those trigger bobbins are supposed to last? Or how long before you're supposed to rearm for any reason (other than having it actuate, of course )?

[yukonbob]

Id suspect they're salt after it auto inflating in storage for Sumner. I've come into port looking like i've just stepped out of the shower on several occasions, and it would be a pain to have it go off on you, and then having to go below to change you shorts. We use a floater coat and floater bibs. Most days I use the whole thing, but for nicer days i'll just wear the bibs, or the jacket. Water proof, wind proof, floats and slows flushing when your in the water. Not bad price either at just over 300 for the whole thing. The auto inflators are for guests.

[NiceAft]

I have six West Marine SOSpender auto inflatable PFD's on the boat at all times. I've had them for several years now, and I am a big believer in their quality. I don't remember what they cost, and because of the number of years ago which I purchased them, that price would not be of use for comparison anyway.

The reason I went with self inflating PFFD's is for comfort. No one will wear a PFD for long periods if it is uncomfortable, and I will not let anyone go with me if they do not wear one. These WM SOSpenders are good quality, comfortable PFD's.

They each have: a "D" ring so they can be attached to a tether.
a window to see if the single point indicator is red (empty cartridge) or green.
a reflector strip on inflated bladder.
a whistle for use when inflated.
a yank cord if one gets impatient in the water. Keep in mind that these auto inflating PFD's do not inflate the moment you hit the water. They do take a moment or two to inflate (I tested one after I purchased mine). This time delay may be upsetting to some, so the yank cord is comforting. Also remember replace the entire inflating kit (cartridge and dissolving tablet) every few years. I think mine are good for four or five years. I have to check. These kits are not cheap.

Having a PFD that people will not wear is no different than not having one at all. I believe it is irresponsible to expect that in an emergency, all crew and passengers will be able to get to, get on, and secure their life vest properly, and in time. Safety first. Wear a PFD at all times while boating.

Ray

[NiceAft]

I just realized that if I mentioned about the "D" ring for a tether, I should also make board members aware of a warning label that is sewn onto the waist belt of the PFD's I have.

WARNING: USE OF A SAFETY HARNESS TO PREVENT FALLS OVERBOARD PRESENTS SEVERAL RISKS:
Potential for personal injury as a result of fall arrest has not been assessed. Safety harnesses are designed to be worn at the chest area, to reduce injury potential due to shock loads. Thus, the harness belt must always be worn as high on the chest as possible but in all cases at least 2 inches (5 cm) above the lowest rib measured from the bottom of the belt and adjusted to a tight personal fit. In case of capsizing, or sinking, you may be taken down by the boat resulting in death. DO NOT attach to boat unless being worn with tether of less than 6.5 feet (2m) in length and with quick-release under-load hardware. READ SAFETY HARNESS SECTION OF OWNER'S MANUAL for intended use. ALERT! Under no circumstances should the safety harness be used for any climbing activity. U.S. COAST GUARD APPROVAL DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS HARNESS.

[Tomfoolery]

And just for those who may not know this, but inflatables (auto or manual) don't count as part of the required PFD inventory when boarded by the USCG UNLESS it's being worn. Standard vests do count, whether they're being worn or not, but inflatables do not unless they're on your body. Keeping a pile of cheap vests will count, as long as they're readily accessible, and (I believe) not in a storage bag, zipped up nice and neat.

[NiceAft]

And just for those who may not know this, but inflatables (auto or manual) don't count as part of the required PFD inventory when boarded by the USCG UNLESS it's being worn. Standard vests do count

That's a good point

Keeping a pile of cheap vests will count, as long as they're readily accessible

For those who do choose to keep the vests in a nice pile; s#*t happens on a boat, if an event suddenly happens, and you or someone is sent overboard, those vest piled up nicely will certainly do you a lot of good. Please wear them

Sorry, I don't mean to pontificate.

Ray

[seahouse]

Yeah, regarding the "D" ring and tether - lots of controversy in sailing literature over whether hooking in or not, and when, is a good idea.

IIRC, a promising young racer recently lost her life as a result of wearing one, during a capsize.

No controversy at all over whether or not wearing a PFD is a good idea, though.

-B.

[1st Sail]

Thank for all the input. A few more questions.
I noted several of the high end Mustang vest @ Bpro advertise 5yrs between rearm. Rearm kits $59.95.
I did not see any rearm time periods advertised in the lower price vests.
comments?
Irrespective of the harness capabilities on the upper end vests. Assuming I will purchase a manual/auto.
What are the real life safety differences between the high $ and less $ vests?

Opinions on this one from BPro? Mid price range. http://www.basspro.com/Mustang-Survival ... 130511218/

My sailing is currently limited to upper Miss. River and smaller reservoirs of Iowa and IL.

[seahouse]

My vests are on the boat in storage at the moment so I can't check, but memory says 3 years on the bobbin type, and 5 years on the hydrostatic type, name brand. The date is written on them, so maybe someone else (in a more favourable climate this time of year) can verify or refute.

Some have a whistle, some have flashlights, some use heavier fabric and webbing. I checked Practical Sailor's ratings before I bought ours. But that was a few years ago, and the market changes. I'm guessing that there are certain minimum standards for CG or DOT approval(?) that they all have to meet to get the label.

My dealer didn't stock exactly the models I went there for, so we bought what he carried that was close, but tried them on for a while to make sure they fit and were comfortable for us.

-B.

[Tomfoolery]

Opinions on this one from BPro? Mid price range. http://www.basspro.com/Mustang-Survival ... 130511218/

It's strange that they say it's a USCG Type III when inflatables are all Type V. I think they probably mean it has the flotation and performance of a Type III (probably won't turn you face up, minimum buoyancy, that sort of thing.

Or else I'm missing something.

But I see the Mustang name all over the place. I would think rearming parts would be pretty easy to get. Possibly not so in the case of my West Marine auto-inflatable that's got a number of years on it. I'll have to take it apart this spring and see what I need to rearm it. Hopefully it's standard parts.

[NiceAft]

If it's anything like the WM SOSPENDERS I bought several years ago, the info you seek will be on the reverse side of the vest.

Here is what I need.
http://www.inflatablepfd.com/halkey-rob ... ro1f-.html

Ray

[MSN-Travelers]

Thank for all the input. A few more questions.
I noted several of the high end Mustang vest @ Bpro advertise 5yrs between rearm. Rearm kits $59.95.
I did not see any rearm time periods advertised in the lower price vests.
comments?
Irrespective of the harness capabilities on the upper end vests. Assuming I will purchase a manual/auto.
What are the real life safety differences between the high $ and less $ vests?

Opinions on this one from BPro? Mid price range. http://www.basspro.com/Mustang-Survival ... 130511218/

My sailing is currently limited to upper Miss. River and smaller reservoirs of Iowa and IL.

Self-inflating PFD's are just like cars; they all perform the same basic function and go up in price as you add features. How and where you sail should drive the product you eventually purchase.

Low end units are manual inflation. Low end auto-inflating units are prone to accidental inflation in a heavy rain or when the wearer is caught by a heavy wave. Higher end units add additional surival features and increased protection against accidental activation in very wet conditions. An integral safety harness is another of those added features that shows up with higher end units.

I sail the Great Lakes, often solo and occasionally at night. When not cruising with my wife aboard our Beneteau, I crew on a race boat that does night racing across Lake Michigan at night. The PFD I use is a self-inflating unit with an integral safety harness. It weighs a little more than units without a harness and has an integrated, lined & padded collar. I do start to feel the weight on my neck after 12 hours or so. My wife has two units; one with & one without the integral harness. What she wears is dependent on the weather conditions and other factors like standing watch by herself.

The debate about use of a harness `n tether is never ending and just as silly as the debate about using seatbelt in a car. The whole idea is to keep your butt in/on the boat. I like to be tethered to the boat at night or at any time when weather/wave conditions make it likely that I could go overboard. Always carry a sharp knife to cut the tether should the need present itself.

I believe that, based on your current sailing area, the mid-range unit linked above would be more than adequate. You can always buy a separate harness and tether at a future date if/when you plan on sailing in conditions that call for that added level of safety gear. The important thing to remember is wear the danm thing.

[dlandersson]

Here's why you use harnesses:

The debate about use of a harness `n tether is never ending and just as silly as the debate about using seatbelt in a car. The whole idea is to keep your butt in/on the boat. I like to be tethered to the boat at night or at any time when weather/wave conditions make it likely that I could go overboard. Always carry a sharp knife to cut the tether should the need present itself.