I was told if its the only kind in boat it must be worn at all times. If you have the old style stowed you can take it off. I dont know if this is correct.

Ok...What would you say the Pros and Cons are to using the suspender style PFD's? A guy in my club told me that he got a ticket on Eagle Mt. one night b/c he wasn't wearing his while fishing. He said the warden advised him that he had to keep it on at all times. Is that true? I've seen the pros on TV take'em off as soon as they shut the motor off.

Suggestions...opinions....? Best brand/cost?

I've worn the auto inflate style of SOSPenders since they came out in 2000. I wear mine every time on the water, rain or shine. It goes on the second I step in the boat and comes off when I'm back on the trailer. It is very comfortable, even in hot weather and it will float me if/when I get in the lake. I test mine every year in May or June by jumping in - it always has inflated as it is designed to do. Yes, it requires maintenance but the rearm kit on a SOSpender is less than $20 - once a year. As mine is on all the time I don't worry about if it's legal. Like any pfd it will ONLY work it it is worn.

I have only had 2 models self inflate due to moisture in the storage box, never had one go off in the rain or spray. And the ones that did inflate in the storage box were my fault. The Sentinel model of the SOSpenders is designed to resist inflation due to rain or spray. The high end Mustang must be under water pressure to inflate.

That being said, I do keep 2 high performance style pfds in the boat for times when I'm running very rough conditions or very cold. I trust my inflatables, 99% of the time, but don't see the need to push the limits of common sense.

Every year we get to read a post where prayers are requested because some angler drowned while fishing. So if you'll wear an inflatable pfd while fishing but not a regular style, then you're ahead of the game. I encourage you to try on a number of styles and definitely look for the name brand, higher end models. These are more expensive for a reason; they tend to fit and function better. The Sentinel model of SOSpender is pretty hard to find so if you can't find one local, let me know and you can test mine.

Hey JOF,
Where did you buy yours ?

Thanks,
Nut

I believe for them to be legal, you must be wearing them at all times!!! I read this on another forum.

Hey JOF,
Where did you buy yours ?

Thanks,
Nut

Ok...What would you say the Pros and Cons are to using the suspender style PFD's? A guy in my club told me that he got a ticket on Eagle Mt. one night b/c he wasn't wearing his while fishing. He said the warden advised him that he had to keep it on at all times. Is that true? I've seen the pros on TV take'em off as soon as they shut the motor off.

Suggestions...opinions....? Best brand/cost?

You guys might want to take a look at this. This is from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. regulations on inflatable PFDs.

Inflatable PFDs are authorized only when used in accordance with requirements as presented on U.S. Coast Guard approval labels. Inflatable PFDs are not approved for use on personal watercraft, waterskiing, or other high speed activity.

I don't know why the tournament directors have let these life saving devices be legal when it states no high speed activity. I know it doesn't say what speed is high speed but I think I want something very secured to my body in case of leaving the boat at a hgigh rate of speed.

My .02 worth.

Tommy Yetts
Rockwall Marine

Ok...What would you say the Pros and Cons are to using the suspender style PFD's? A guy in my club told me that he got a ticket on Eagle Mt. one night b/c he wasn't wearing his while fishing. He said the warden advised him that he had to keep it on at all times. Is that true? I've seen the pros on TV take'em off as soon as they shut the motor off.

Suggestions...opinions....? Best brand/cost?