I have a question about inflatables. I've heard that if they get wet enough from spray that they can go off. Is this true and if so how much spray would it take? We've probably all have those days where we are pretty much soaked from spray...would that do it?

I currently wear vest but probably not nearly enough.

Depends on which technology the vest uses. If it's HIT which is hydrostatic pressure it must be submerged. The ones the use the"pill"'that dissolves can go off on moisture such as heavy rain or inside a rod box.

If you are going inflatable you should go for the HIT.

I am sure this depends on the inflatable you buy. I have never one go off from rain or spray. The higher end ones (Mustang HIT's/Onyx Impulse) are designed to go off based on the a certain water pressure which takes submersion. I have been in downpours in my Onyx, and my son in his Mustang, where we were spitting out water as we went down the lake and leaving the bilge pump on and it never went off. I do know the lower end BPS versions and others will likely go off due to dampness as they are designed to inflate based on a dissolving bobbin which causes the CO2 to go off.

You should just know that having a PFD is going to cost about $25 a year to maintain on top of the $200 price tag. I am sure most of the people on this thread wouldn't buy the lowest end inherently buoyant vest and I would not suggest getting the lowest end Inflatable either. These are the 2 types we have:

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Onyx_Impulse_A-33_In-Sight_Auto_Inflatable_PFD/descpage-OIMA3.html

and

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Mustang_Deluxe_MD3183_HIT_Auto-Hydrostatic/descpage-MDAH.html

And it is a little late for this year, but I have bought all three on some sort of Black Friday Deal or big sale period for 20% off. I buy the rearm kits on sale as well but do the maintenance/testing and re-arming at the end of spring when the water is warm enough to jump in.

The best life jacket you can own is one that you will wear religiously, all of the PFD have their pro's and cons but none of them can work or fail if they are not used. I choose to wear the auto inflatable Mustang HIT, I have worn it in the rain all day without it triggering it has to be submerged in 4 inches or more of water to activate. (I verify that by getting in the water with it at the end of the service life of the catridge) The cartridge is recommended to be replaced every 5 years. I used that model for 12 years, and just recently replaced it. Every year when I get ready for the winter slow down of fishing and go thru my boat I do an examination of all my pfd's, check the straps and connections and on the auto inflates I manually, with the blow tube inflate them and leave them overnight to check for leaks. I have two of the bobbin activated for guests and keep them stored in the boat in a plastic bag. My Mustang HIT failed that test this year so that's the reason I replaced it. So if you do you use inflatables you should manually inflate them to make sure they are good...mine was a very slow leak that took it 8 hours to significantly deflate but still unacceptable for a life saving device.

The reason I prefer the self inflatables is that I wear them all the time , they are comfortable and reliable if maintained. They are also type II so they will turn you over and hold your head above water if you are unconscious, they also have the highest buoyancy rating of any PFD. The full buoyant chest type are great too, but they have to be secured properly..not just placed on loosely as you can slide out of them easily in the water..you can try this yourself if you just put one on and jump in the water over your head..if you are thrown from a boat the impact will be significantly more than jumping in the water, there have been a number of drownings associated with coming out of a chest type pfd..(usually alcohol was involved too) . But they are not Type II, they are type III, so they will not hold your head above the water and will want to ride up on you while you are in the water. To understand the PFD ratings and their recommended uses check out this brief description from US Boating. US Boating PFD recommendations . I still notice when I am out on the water a number of boaters/fisherman don't use PFD's, sadly sometimes with children on board. Although I know the requirement is the life jackets be available on board for adults, they are useless if you don't have them when you are in the water....especially if you fish alone..Hope we have a safe 2018 and no more threads about missing boaters/anglers...without pfds....

I will not wear an inflatable. In my experience they can corrode and a few examples in the news (and probably more that aren't) of them not inflating. my 2c: Not an area to skimp $-wise.

Full vest for me. I don't fully trust my safety to anything that has to be activated automatically. I realize that they have a pull cord but if your incapacitated and it fails that cord does you no good.

Full Vest

There are some wonderful inflatables but for me it is a full vest. The big thing is I know mine will work, with the inflatable you will always be hoping it works.
Also my torso is protected like a flak jacket and it does not take $30 to refill if I would get wet.

Does anyone have experience with the Frabill I-Float jacket. It has a built in PFD. Been thinking getting one to wear for this time of year.