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Good automatic pfd? #13585572 06/07/20 12:09 AM
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Kens3313 Offline OP
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I have 2 older onyx automatic pfd's. I'm getting so sick of having to spend 25 bucks or so to re arm them. I live in Houston area where its always humid. Today I was sitting in my boat after fishing all day abd the damn thing goes off and tries to lift the lid that I was sitting on. Scared the [censored] out of me. I'm willing to pay good money to have a good pfd .


Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003
Re: Good automatic pfd? [Re: Kens3313] #13585587 06/07/20 12:19 AM
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Hair Jig Offline
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Your best choice to avoid that is the Mustang with H.I.T. technology. Has to be submerged 4" to go off. Rain, humidity, etc won't bother it.


Healed by Grace and trying to stay that way
Re: Good automatic pfd? [Re: Hair Jig] #13585594 06/07/20 12:25 AM
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BigDozer66 Offline
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Originally Posted by Hair Jig
Your best choice to avoid that is the Mustang with H.I.T. technology. Has to be submerged 4" to go off. Rain, humidity, etc won't bother it.


cheers

Something along this line here!


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Re: Good automatic pfd? [Re: Kens3313] #13585606 06/07/20 12:33 AM
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This was just a recent discussion here- see the following posts
RR521


https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/13562566/1


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Re: Good automatic pfd? [Re: Hair Jig] #13585715 06/07/20 02:17 AM
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Capt BB Offline
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Originally Posted by Hair Jig
Your best choice to avoid that is the Mustang with H.I.T. technology. Has to be submerged 4" to go off. Rain, humidity, etc won't bother it.



+1


Boeing--> Airbus--> Phoenix 20PHX
Re: Good automatic pfd? [Re: Kens3313] #13585726 06/07/20 02:31 AM
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Flippin-Out Offline
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I third the recommendation. Bear in mind you can't shove any inflatable in a compartment on the boat and leave it closed up until the next time you take the boat out. You need to hang it up where it can get some air and out of any humidity. For me, this means a special spot I made for them in the coat closet inside my home. They have a complex mechanism (even the H.I.T.) that can't be ignored for storage and maintenance - if you expect it to work when you need it.

I scrolled back to the OP. I'd say that the OP was not managing the vest the way those need to be stored and handled. You have to make a choice. If you want ANY inflatable, you have to go by the rules of care for them. If you intend to just keep it stuffed in a compartment like a block of foam, then an inflatable will never be a good fit for that approach to ownership. You'll need to revert back to inherently buoyant vests. I'm betting that inflatable you don't like stays in that closed compartment 24/7. That's what's wrong and why it goes off. None of mine have ever false-inflated, on the other hand. But, I store mine in the house, and when I'm out on the boat, they are NOT going to be in a humid compartment heating up, as that will drive moisture into the trigger button and set it off over time.

Last edited by Flippin-Out; 06/07/20 02:37 AM.
Re: Good automatic pfd? [Re: Flippin-Out] #13585766 06/07/20 03:30 AM
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Kens3313 Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Flippin-Out
I third the recommendation. Bear in mind you can't shove any inflatable in a compartment on the boat and leave it closed up until the next time you take the boat out. You need to hang it up where it can get some air and out of any humidity. For me, this means a special spot I made for them in the coat closet inside my home. They have a complex mechanism (even the H.I.T.) that can't be ignored for storage and maintenance - if you expect it to work when you need it.

I scrolled back to the OP. I'd say that the OP was not managing the vest the way those need to be stored and handled. You have to make a choice. If you want ANY inflatable, you have to go by the rules of care for them. If you intend to just keep it stuffed in a compartment like a block of foam, then an inflatable will never be a good fit for that approach to ownership. You'll need to revert back to inherently buoyant vests. I'm betting that inflatable you don't like stays in that closed compartment 24/7. That's what's wrong and why it goes off. None of mine have ever false-inflated, on the other hand. But, I store mine in the house, and when I'm out on the boat, they are NOT going to be in a humid compartment heating up, as that will drive moisture into the trigger button and set it off over time.

Well said, that all makes sense. I guess its just always seemed like the best place to keep it so I don't leave home without it.


Re: Good automatic pfd? [Re: Kens3313] #13585818 06/07/20 06:42 AM
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You could make yourself a "checklist". (Pilots and surgeons swear by the approach.) I have several things on mine that I just don't want to leave home without. (My wife calls it the "keys/cellphone/wallet" list, LOL). I printed a copy, taped it on a piece of cardboard, and lay it on the deck of the boat when it's in the garage upon return. It became a big habit to put PFDs in the truck when I hooked up to the boat. When I take the motor support off and put it in the truck at the ramp, the PFDs are sitting there, so that prompts me to lay them on the deck as part of the launch prep procedure. I haven't had a place for vests in the boat for decades. I want them on when we leave the ramp, and I've never once forgotten them. It becomes a very methodical habit for me. They smell a lot fresher too!

Re: Good automatic pfd? [Re: Hair Jig] #13585976 06/07/20 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Hair Jig
Your best choice to avoid that is the Mustang with H.I.T. technology. Has to be submerged 4" to go off. Rain, humidity, etc won't bother it.

That is probably the only type of inflatable that I would trust my life with. HOWEVER, they're pretty danged pricey, about double that of a regular inflatable. That said, I'll just stick with my old style "flak jacket" vest. A little more uncomfortable, but I don't have to worry about it inflating when I don't want it to, or more importantly, NOT inflating when I really need it


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Re: Good automatic pfd? [Re: TinRangerJim] #13586039 06/07/20 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by TinRangerJim
Originally Posted by Hair Jig
Your best choice to avoid that is the Mustang with H.I.T. technology. Has to be submerged 4" to go off. Rain, humidity, etc won't bother it.

That is probably the only type of inflatable that I would trust my life with. HOWEVER, they're pretty danged pricey, about double that of a regular inflatable. That said, I'll just stick with my old style "flak jacket" vest. A little more uncomfortable, but I don't have to worry about it inflating when I don't want it to, or more importantly, NOT inflating when I really need it


Your opinion isn't alone. When speaking with the head of the TPWD marine enforcement group, I asked that question. His choice is inherently buoyant as well. I use both. Inherently buoyant is the most reliable, and great for running on plane. I'm physically limited now, so wearing an inflatable while off plane is convenient and gives me a chance to survive.

Re: Good automatic pfd? [Re: Flippin-Out] #13586079 06/07/20 03:35 PM
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Jeff From Iowa Offline
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Originally Posted by Flippin-Out
I third the recommendation. Bear in mind you can't shove any inflatable in a compartment on the boat and leave it closed up until the next time you take the boat out. You need to hang it up where it can get some air and out of any humidity. For me, this means a special spot I made for them in the coat closet inside my home. They have a complex mechanism (even the H.I.T.) that can't be ignored for storage and maintenance - if you expect it to work when you need it.

I scrolled back to the OP. I'd say that the OP was not managing the vest the way those need to be stored and handled. You have to make a choice. If you want ANY inflatable, you have to go by the rules of care for them. If you intend to just keep it stuffed in a compartment like a block of foam, then an inflatable will never be a good fit for that approach to ownership. You'll need to revert back to inherently buoyant vests. I'm betting that inflatable you don't like stays in that closed compartment 24/7. That's what's wrong and why it goes off. None of mine have ever false-inflated, on the other hand. But, I store mine in the house, and when I'm out on the boat, they are NOT going to be in a humid compartment heating up, as that will drive moisture into the trigger button and set it off over time.



Its called dry storage for a reason and you can most certainly leave your self inflating pfd stuffed in there indefinitely.

Sounds like you and the original poster dont actually have dry storage on your boats.

Tons of humidity here and in my shop where my boats parked and never had any mold or issues in my dry compartments.


Last edited by Jeff From Iowa; 06/07/20 03:37 PM.
Re: Good automatic pfd? [Re: Kens3313] #13586084 06/07/20 03:40 PM
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I always keep my cooler kid open, livewell lids, battery compartment lid and maybe a rod locker or two open on my boat when its in the storage I keep it in. Drain plug is always out too. Helps reduce mold etc and maintains airflow through the boat better. Takes 15 seconds to do all of that.

Re: Good automatic pfd? [Re: Mark Perry] #13586114 06/07/20 04:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Mark Perry
I always keep my cooler kid open, livewell lids, battery compartment lid and maybe a rod locker or two open on my boat when its in the storage I keep it in. Drain plug is always out too. Helps reduce mold etc and maintains airflow through the boat better. Takes 15 seconds to do all of that.


Best practice any time the boat is stored thumb



Re: Good automatic pfd? [Re: Kens3313] #13586131 06/07/20 04:23 PM
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Re: Good automatic pfd? [Re: Kens3313] #13586559 06/07/20 10:54 PM
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Don't forget that heat will set them off too. I had one go off in the drivers seat while I was fishing one day, scared the [censored] out of me. Sure didn't know that heat would set them off.


Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

Bobby


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