Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

I got pulled over by the sheriff on Portage Lake last weekend for a boat check and learned that in order for your inflatable vest to count as a pfd it must be worn. Luckily I didn't get a ticket.

Yes - that is the law for those types. That's pretty much a good reason to consider that type - more convenient so people will wear them! I keep mine on most of the time now. All of the time when I'm alone.

You could cover yourself by having the seat cushion throwable type handy too though some officers of the law will say it has to be reachable in x number of seconds and should have a floating rope handy for it too.

Never knew about that.. Good to know

Nice to know. Thanx

I do keep a couple of the big orange PFD's plus a throwable in the boat at all times
So I'm covered

Like Dan I wear mine most of the time.  Even on calm inland lakes I could still bend over, throw my back out and fall in.  I always wear it when alone. 

I make the grand kids wear theirs all the time, so it's only fair Grandpa does too.

I have a throwable cushion already tied to the floating rope but don't keep it on deck like your supposed to.  It's handy, but I don't know if I'd get to it in x seconds. 

Quote from: CMURoss on July 08, 2013, 12:45:23 PM
I got pulled over by the sheriff on Portage Lake last weekend for a boat check and learned that in order for your inflatable vest to count as a pfd it must be worn. Luckily I didn't get a ticket.

Ugh I'm going to have to invest in one of those tiny (expensive) self inflating life vests sooner rather than later.

Watch the sales.  I think mine was normally $125-135 at Cabelas and it went on sale for just under  a hundred a couple of years ago. 

I was advised to buy the more expensive self inflatables since they are less likely to self deploy on a rainy day.  However mine did once in the dry locker on board. 

When it came time to rearm my Cabelas brand vest however, I had to get the rearm kit from Cabelas.  I checked a couple of places; West Marine, and Gander Mountain and couldn't get what I needed.   That may be a draw back for some. 

Other than that I'm happy with what I have.