BillM Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I didn't want to hijack the PFD thread, but I thought a few of the responses were interesting. I never wear one, unless the conditions call for it. I can count on one hand the number of times I've ever had one on. I'm just not one to put myself in a situation where it will ever be needed (ie the guy in the 9ft dingy out 5 miles on Simcoe jigging in 3ft rollers).. The last time I had one on was a few years ago on Lake Nipigon, before that Lake Superior many years ago. I know I'm not alone as 95% of the people I see out on the water aren't wearing them either I'm sure this is going to turn into a crap fest but I'd at least like to see a few reasons from the other guys that spend a lot of time on the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adempsey Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Yes. The one I own doesn't interfere or bother me so I wear it. It's a standard PFD, not an inflatable. What prompted me was the realization that I am not as good a swimmer as I once was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike rousseau Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Never wear it... Only time I've ever worn mine in my boat was so my kid would wear his... Buddy has a bass boat that does 60mph... We wear em when we are running... Makes sense... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garnet Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I wear my auto inflate 100 % if I'm fishing alone and about 50/50 with other people. My balance is not great anymore. In my tournament days I've had some hair raising boat rides. Did a 180 off a wave in big bay one time my tournament partner was on the floor. Happy tournament rules make you wear lifejackets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagoneer Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I'm just not one to put myself in a situation where it will ever be needed (ie the guy in the 9ft dingy out 5 miles on Simcoe jigging in 3ft rollers)..Hey I take offense to that Doesn't matter the size of your boat. A PFD isn't just for capsizing. You can slip on your deck and hit your head on the way down and drown in 3' of water before you get out of the marina. I have emergency training and have been thrown into some hairy situations for said training. Take somebody's word for it who's been through that stuff, wear a PFD. I have that training and still wear one. Everybody who comes on my boat wears one, even my dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigcreekdad Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I never do. However, I'm closer to 70 than 60 now, and I plan to wear one when fishing by myself in Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted September 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I wear my auto inflate 100 % if I'm fishing alone and about 50/50 with other people. My balance is not great anymore. In my tournament days I've had some hair raising boat rides. Did a 180 off a wave in big bay one time my tournament partner was on the floor. Happy tournament rules make you wear lifejackets. You bass boat guys are nuts. If I was hauling ass across the lake at 70mph, I'd have mine on as well, lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKRISONER Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I wear mine when i head out in the tinner because the thing is not stable due to its size. Ive nearly flipped it over backwards hitting a wave and catching a gust of wind at the same time so i dont trust it very much. Aside from that my dad and i always wear them in the late fall or early spring where swimming wouldnt be an option even if wed like it to be. Having worked on the docks with the ice on the lake, i know that attempting to swim anywhere in that kind of water means that you are going to drown. Aside from that I never wear them on the 26 footer because if you ever fell out that boat, you are probably dead anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistaredone Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I only wear mine when I have my kids on the boat, water is below 60 or bad weather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris.brock Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I only wear it in two situations, running rapids, or when I'm a little cold and need extra insulation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I use to never wear it but i began wearing it now when running from spot to spot especially on a new body of water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Caster Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I'm not a boat rat, so I get uncomfortable in boats sometimes. When that happens I wear it. I also wear it in the canoe if the conditions call for it or sometimes I put it on and forget. I bought a nice PFD so if it's on at the beginning of the day, it usually stays on by default. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJL Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I wear one 100% of the time when I'm in a boat - Toronto Island Ferry was the only exception. I grew up wearing one as a kid in my uncle's canoe and feel naked on the water without one - kind of like wearing a seat belt in a car. I got the chance to try one of the inflatable life jackets on my trip to BC a few weeks ago. Really like how light and comfortable they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistyriver1 Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 If I am by myself fishing, I will wear mine en route to a spot. Once there I take it off. If i have others with me, I do not. Great thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 (edited) Never wore a jacket until a few years back when I was alone in my boat on Nipissing in very rough water. I looked around and there wasn't a boat or cabin in sight and I figured if I got tossed overboard I could be in some serious doo doo. I put one on and now always wear an auto inflating Mustang when I'm alone in the boat and sometimes when I've got company too. I also clip on the kill switch lanyard when I'm running fast and that's something else I never used to do. We really do get wiser as we get older. They bring some pretty good luck too Edited September 10, 2014 by lew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeXXington Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I am a super strong swimmer but still I got in the habit a bunch of years ago of always wearing my life jacket on open water (regular type) even with people on the boat. My kids now see me always put it on and they follow the lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplumma Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Only on cold water, isolated places or going faster than 50 mph. Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan668 Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Only when running on a bass boat. Dont bother otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creditmaster Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 i only wear an auto inflate when im fishing for steelhead . in the frigid and fast spring and fall water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garnet Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 70 mph bass boats are fun and comfortable. All that goes away when you get in the big stuff. Then it's just survival. Was out surfing big rollers on Georgian Bay. My tournament partner at 6-4 yells stop stop. Jumps up gets his life jacket on lights a dart and off we go. He is a big time TV fishing host now. That day just happy to get back so we could dry out the life jackets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegill Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 (edited) - Edited November 6, 2014 by Bluegill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I didn't want to hijack the PFD thread, but I thought a few of the responses were interesting. I never wear one, unless the conditions call for it. I can count on one hand the number of times I've ever had one on. I'm just not one to put myself in a situation where it will ever be needed (ie the guy in the 9ft dingy out 5 miles on Simcoe jigging in 3ft rollers).. The last time I had one on was a few years ago on Lake Nipigon, before that Lake Superior many years ago. I know I'm not alone as 95% of the people I see out on the water aren't wearing them either I'm sure this is going to turn into a crap fest but I'd at least like to see a few reasons from the other guys that spend a lot of time on the water. If this didn't prompt you to wear a life jacket nothing would. You sound happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted September 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 That was awesome. Also, I forgot about the time we came back from that back lake in Algonquin in those giant waves Lifejacket was definitely on for that little ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 That was awesome. Also, I forgot about the time we came back from that back lake in Algonquin in those giant waves Lifejacket was definitely on for that little ride. The only reason I wasn't wearing mine was because I left it at the end of the portage. I think that was the most scared I've ever been in a canoe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captpierre Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Don't wear them but they are close by. BTW. Is it true that kids must wear one in a boat? To what age? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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