When I’m fishing from the canoe in deeper waters, I wear a Stearns inflatable fishing vest. It can be inflated kinda quick by pulling a cord attached to a CO(2) cartridge, or even by mouth using an inflation tube; the thing has a Coast Guard Type III rating.
Having somehow, “mysteriously”, overturned in times past, and as I’ve advanced in age and sping waters seem somehow colder than they use to be, thought it best to be as the Boy Scouts use to say … prepared.
Thought it might be a good idea to see others are using.
I’ve been intrigued by the inflatables, but being a paddler first, my choice has always been a lotus designs lola - awesome range of movement and an easy pocket and lash tab. Personally, I can’t ask for more.
-Erik
I believe mine is a Sterns (Sp.?) but not the inflatable kind, just a Type III flotation type. It is accessible when I’m not wearing it but I really should be wearing it all the time. I always wear it when on my ODC 816 but usually not when I’m in my fishing buddy’s canoe, it is accessible. I will be making a point to get more in the habit of having it on no matter what craft I’m on despite how hot it can get.
When I first got the vest about the first thing I did was to infate it using the blow-up tube just to see how it would be inflated. But I could not get all the air back out afterwards. So mine has a little air trapped inside.
Your right about it being warm to wear on a summer afternoon! However, I usually wear in the spring and fall on some particular waters, for the most part, so it fits in with the season. Have used it to cross one narrow lake in the summer but that’s usually an early morning and late evening crossing.
In my kayak, in the salt, I use a paddlers vest from Extrasport that I got at Sierra Trading Post. Cheap Bright yellow
I like the yahoos in the powerboats to be able to see me
No excuse.
I’ve never tried an inflatable and to tell the truth, I don’t think I’d trust one
Just my $.02
I use a Type I vest. In a kayak, it a necesity for doing an ‘Eskimo Roll’. I also have a paddle float, which is required to do a ‘wet’ re-mount if your ‘Eskimo Roll’ isn’t up to par. Otherwise, you have to drag the yak to shore to re-mount yourself.
Sometimes, in calm water, and in hot weather, I will forego wearing the vest in the intersts of comfort, but it is still on-board, if needed.
I use a Stearns fisherman’s life jacket I got from Wal Mart. It has pockets like a fishing vest. I wear it all the time in the winter to stay warm but only wear it in deep water in the spring, summer and fall.
I don’t like the inflatable kind for kayaking. If I fall out of the kayak its either because I’ve blacked out or got knocked out. In either case, I don’t want to rely on being able to pull the switch.
I use the basic (less-to-go-wrong) Mustang “Air Force” cartridge-inflatable / manually-inflatable vest … very popular here in Canada … hardly know it’s there.
Like all similar vests, it’s tricky to get into in a real emergency so must be worn at all times. I usually don’t wear it in low-threat situations, so I also carry a totally tricked-out full-blown life vest … knife, whistle, GPS, strobe, cell case, custom survival kit …
The Mustang stores easily in my boat bag and can be used for folks that I unexpectedly meet and invite aboard!!
We had a Coast Guard guy at out flyfishing club last month. He is a kayaker and was a strong advocate of the self inflating vests. Apparently the CG is issuing them as standard equipment. According to him these Type III vests are light enough and cool enough that people wear them. They also do not require that you be concious when you hit the water as they inflate automatically. They have about the same floatation as an old Type I. They do require annual maintanence and are pricey.
I wear a Mustang MD 3031. It has both manual and auto inflation. Strap back and just the two inflation strips in the front (about 1"X 2-1/2") so it is not too hot in the summer, even here in central Oklahoma & it does get hot. I’m getting older so if i’m on the water, I have my PFD on
In Ga. it is a law that all watercraft(even rafts) have one type I, II, or III vests onboard for every occupant. Inflatables do not qualify. You can wear one, but you still must have one of the other types onboard. If they catch you in violation, they will confiscate your boat and rods on the spot!
I just want to tell you all that use the inflatables a little story:
Well someone I know wore an inflatable for years and never had a problem, than there was that one day, when the kayak capsized he fell in the water was 42 degrees and the shock of the cold hit him, he forgot to deploy the vest his waders filled with water and he almost drowned, yeah they are great if you can remember to deploy them, but what good are they when you panic or if you are knocked unconcious by something you hit your head on when you turtle as we call it? There are plenty of good comfortable vest out there made exspecially for kayaking or canoeing and they are light weight and arent the hot heavy creatures they use to be. I for one would rather by cold dead bodie be found before the bottom feeders have had their part. Yes you may pay more for on , but it will last and you will be safe, and that part is more inportant than, leaving your family behind wondering why you died and blamming the inflatable vest company. Just my thoughts. :roll:
Stern’s makes a nice type III vest for flyfisherman. It has vest pockets like a regular fly vest and the security of a type III coast guard approved rating.
I found mine at Down River Equiptment, a white water rafting shop…
I’ve had that same sterns vest for 25 years and it’s still in great shape. I wear it , or a SOS spender, depending on temps/fishing method whenever i’m in my yak, canoe, skiff or even night fishing off the rocks.
Comfortable enough where it stays on in wheather/situations where others would be stowed under the deck.
It has both manual and auto inflation. Strap back and just the two inflation strips in the front (about 1"X 2-1/2") so it is not too hot in the summer, even here in central Oklahoma & it does get hot. I’m getting older so if i’m on the water, I have my PFD on