Where do you buy life jackets??

R

RutgersAl

Member
Jun 16, 2020
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Boatless
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Boatless
Can you just order off Amazon? Looks like they range in price from $20 to $119. Is there any particular brand that’s reliable? Should I pay a certain amount to ensure a quality product?
 
I think it depends what you are looking for. I have a set of real good offshore PFDs for the family for when we are far away from land -- kept in a ditch bag with flares and other survival stuff. I also have several sports type PFDs - left open around the boat. Then there is the bag of the cheap orange ones -- for the inlaws and "friends" -- that are for nearshore use cause you won't last but 10 minutes with them. I got them all over the years from West Marine.
 
If you're looking to meet the USCG requirement just grab the 4 packs at West Marine. I think they are hard to beat on price? Having the bag is kinda nice too. On sale right now to boot.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west...four-pack-adult-over-90lb--595134?recordNum=5

If you're looking for PFD's that you'll actually be wearing regularly....that's very much like asking people what the best brand of underwear is :)
 
I've found that except for the orange ones, the fit of PFDs is highly variable and quite personal. Most of my family's have come from West Marine over the years because we could try them on. This have been especially important for our kids.

I regularly use a self-inflating West Marine / SOSpenders PFD that's close to 20 years old. It's been very comfortable. Recently I've been also using a set of Crewsaver Crewfit 35 models that my boat dealer provided as part of a new boat package.

For my kids when they were younger got Mustangs Survival youth vests. My son graduated to a West Marine paddling-type vest, and is now in an adult vest.
 
I agree as long as they are Coast Guard approved the rest is your call the grand kids wear vest type the wife and I wear the self inflating type. I also have a load of Orange ones for anyone else that may show up.
 
WM had a sale going with auto inflates for under $100 a piece... We keep them at the helm and the Admiral wears hers when she is out stringing lines & fenders.
 
Golfman25 said:
I think it depends what you are looking for. I have a set of real good offshore PFDs for the family for when we are far away from land -- kept in a ditch bag with flares and other survival stuff. I also have several sports type PFDs - left open around the boat. Then there is the bag of the cheap orange ones -- for the inlaws and "friends" -- that are for nearshore use cause you won't last but 10 minutes with them. I got them all over the years from West Marine.
Click to expand...

thanks for suggesting West Marine. There’s one on the way to the Marina where I plan to be.
 
Stee6043 said:
If you're looking to meet the USCG requirement just grab the 4 packs at West Marine. I think they are hard to beat on price? Having the bag is kinda nice too. On sale right now to boot.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west...four-pack-adult-over-90lb--595134?recordNum=5

If you're looking for PFD's that you'll actually be wearing regularly....that's very much like asking people what the best brand of underwear is :)
Click to expand...

thanks for providing the link, which is exactly what I’m looking for, as I’m looking to meet the USCG requirement.
 
I've been told, both times I had my boat inspected, that pfd's in a bag aren't considered usable.
They must be out of bags, and packaging. Auto-inflating ones must be worn to be counted.
 
wyrman said:
I've been told, both times I had my boat inspected, that pfd's in a bag aren't considered usable.
They must be out of bags, and packaging. Auto-inflating ones must be worn to be counted.
Click to expand...
While that might be technically correct, they are probably better than a bunch shoved under every seat under five lbs of junk.
 
Golfman25 said:
While that might be technically correct, they are probably better than a bunch shoved under every seat under five lbs of junk.
Click to expand...
I understand, and don't disagree. Just passing some info along. If someone gets the wrong person inspecting their boat, and they're in bags, it could be costly.
 
Do life jackets expire. Our inflatable ones the cylinders go to red after 5 years or so. They still work as we have both tried them when they expired.
 
northern said:
Do life jackets expire. Our inflatable ones the cylinders go to red after 5 years or so. They still work as we have both tried them when they expired.
Click to expand...
Inflatables are a different animal. The have parts that can a do wear out with time. If the indication is red there is something wrong with it. Get a rearming kit. You likely just need a replace the bobbin that enables automatic inflation.

Do you really want to find out you should have serviced the unit when you’re floating in the water?
 
Gosh wish you lived closer. When I bought the 500 there were pfd s in over abundance. We removed 8 of the four packs, 16 loose orange type pfd, 4 vests, 16 toddler/ baby. I had already kept the 4 pack and our four personal ones from the previous boat. I need to have a nautical garage sale soon lol
 
b_arrington said:
Inflatables are a different animal. The have parts that can a do wear out with time. If the indication is red there is something wrong with it. Get a rearming kit. You likely just need a replace the bobbin that enables automatic inflation.

Do you really want to find out you should have serviced the unit when you’re floating in the water?
Click to expand...

When they have turned red we put them on and pull the release to see what they are like. Scared the heck out of Admiral. Then I get new cylinders. We also have real life jackets. Some areas we boat the purpose of a life jacket is so they will find your body
 
wyrman said:
I've been told, both times I had my boat inspected, that pfd's in a bag aren't considered usable.
They must be out of bags, and packaging. Auto-inflating ones must be worn to be counted.
Click to expand...

I've been boarded a handful of times with bagged PFD's, from both USCG and local police, never heard a mention of the bag being an issue. You've probably just jinxed my 2021...:)
 
northern said:
When they have turned red we put them on and pull the release to see what they are like. Scared the heck out of Admiral. Then I get new cylinders. We also have real life jackets. Some areas we boat the purpose of a life jacket is so they will find your body
Click to expand...
Well, yeah. You boat up toward Alaska. That’s a bit different than my typical boating.

I try to avoid blowing the cylinder. The one I have is not as common as other types, can be hard to find, and costs about $40. I did it once to see how it worked. Then accidentally when it got soaked in the bottom of the dingy.
 
I see PFD's along side the road leaving the marina all summer long ..... if I picked them up I could have a road side stand. :D

BTW I bought a few really nice Life Jackets at Walmart through out the years.
 
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