DUH! Some times I wish I could remember to get my brain out of the wash! The post below strated in the General Topics. As I was scrolling down a minute ago, I thought, “Hmmm, an excellent place to ask!” So, here is the orginal post, forgive my aged brain!
Thanks,
Mike
Hi,
I was out boating, well fishing in my NuCanoe, today and I got to thinking, “This PFD is very bulky”. So, I’m searching for some thoughts on PFD’s. I won’t boat without one, after being dumped out of a canoe once. What do people use? Those horse collar ones? The ones that are the Michelin Man lookalikes? Thanks for any input.
Mike
It depends on where I am fishing. If the water is “dangerous” I use a large Stohlquist Fisherman which is very bulky, but very safe.
If I am in protected water I use an old vest type PFD that I have had for a long while.
I fish a lot of small waters, ponds and watersheds mostly and the smaller makes me feel fine.
I am seriously considering a SOSPenders.
There is a local Canoe & Kayak group in this area and it amazes me how many of them run the rivers (no white water) with no PFD.
I think all of mine are Stern’s fishing vests, with pockets, and all. They are very comfortable, and don’t feel like I am wearing a pillow.
It’s against the law to run any of the rivers around here without wearing an approved PFD, and I do mean wearing it. They will pull you off the water, and write you a $100.00 ($250.00 for a minor) ticket for not wearing one. In the lakes and larger rivers, it’s OK just to have a PFD on board for everyone, but on the Ocoee, Conasauga, Hiawassee, Oconee (in other words, rivers with rapids), you’d better have it on. They don’t play around with this rule.
a few of my older fishing friends wear one even when wading some rivers. They like the inflatable kind because they are not bulky, maybe that is what you mean by ‘horse collar’. Inflatables are a bit more expensive, but apparently are more comforable.
I have had a Mustang brand inflatable PFD for a long time. I wear it when floating and have never had to inflate it. I’m old and not very coordinated so I would probably sink like a rock without it. Jim
PFDs should always be obligatory. Here’s my favorite story about them. In the Coast Guard I did review of inspection reports regarding accidents. One occurred in Chesapeake Bay were a young couple and their infant took a small guided boat across the bay. The engine exploded. All died from drowning except the infant, who survived. The only one wearing a PFD was the infant.
SOS are easy to wear, you won’t notice they are there.
I just purchased 2 of the auto inflate horseshoe collar type ones from Cabelas for about $80/ea to wear in my small 13’ FG gheenoe since space is at a premium in this little boat. Test fit in the house felt fine and not restrictive, but not been out to wear it for any lenght of time. I figure wearing this is better than tripping over the yak styled pfd laying in the floor. :rolleyes:
I also wear the Stearns Vest. And yes, it makes me feel like I’m wearing a pillow but I’m big enough that I basically start out feeling like a pillow. I looked into the inflatables, but found they don’t support enough weight for my mass and they are way out of my budget. So, I’ll live with the Stearns Vest. “Live” being the key word here. 
Auto inflatable,in Texas fishing in the heat they are very comfortable, you forget you are even wearing them.
There are some very comfortable PFD’s on the market. If you look around, you can find some that are made for paddling, and once you get them adjusted right, you hardly know you have one on. I picked up the last one I had from sierratradingpost.com – last yeas color at about 75% off, so check them out.
Trust me crookedpaddler, come navigate the Flint, Ocmulgee Rivers in middle or south Georgia or any number of rivers in the deep South in July, August or September, you will know you have it on.
I had a chance to wear my inflatable horseshoe collar PFD, and had on waders and such in 50* weather, did not even realize I had it on after 5minutes, if not less time. Very comfy, its a Type 4 I believe and must be worn at all times to be “legal”, and I will wear it since it is very comfy.
That’s correct in the state of Georgia, I know. My experience has shown me putting it on after you are in the water would be difficult at best. My Stearns inflatable has 4 pockets that will hold 2 small and 2 medium fly boxes.
Melk,
I should have come here too! I just posted the same thing in the main board. I’m looking for a PFD to use on my float tube. One of my good buddies got swamped by a speed boat on Winnipesaukee. Luckily he had a PFD. His story has made me decide I need to get one.
Alberto
I finally cracked open the piggy-bank and purchased an Onyx Auto-Inflating PFD. The only downside is that I wish I had done it long ago.
On my first day out with it I put it on as I was launching the boat, wore it all day and when I got home that afternoon I realized that I still had it on.
I hesitated for a long time because I am a bit rotund and I thought the strap running around the biggest part of my belly would be uncomfortable.
The answer to that is - Nope. It lays flat on my shoulders and down each side of my chest. It never got in the way and as I said I forgot that I was even wearing it. I bought it at a local shop and with an extra rearming kit was just a bit less than $150.
Note: I am a bit of a tightwad and when I am happy spending that kind of money for something I don’t HAVE to have is quite and endorsement.
Congrats on your new PFD. I’ve been wearing a manual inflate for several years. I had a guy I fished with tell me his auto inflate auto inflated in his garage. Since KY is not exactly desert, you can want to consider your storage options. I am thinking one of the camper size ziplock bags when not on the water.
Thanks Jesse - I keep the new PFD in the mesh bag in which it came. I bring it in the house and it hangs in my Fly-tying - Ham Radio - Electronic workshop - Computer Room. I have heard stories of folks storing them in their power boats and finding them inflated when retrieved.