Oh no!! Don't pass a law! That's crazy shit right there! People should just decide on their own.
If they took away the car seat belt law, I'd still wear one.
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I'm glad you brought this up.
You as the owner and operator of the boat, in the event of an accident, whether or not you were at fault, probably stands a good chance of being sued. Especially if one of the injured passengers is not a very close friend or family member. That's always a consideration when I put people in my boat. Not that a good friend or family member would not sue, but the chances are lessened imo. I will change my driving habits depending on who is in my boat. Not that I'm reckless with friends and/or family in the boat, but I will speed it up a little. Now with someone I don't know too well or younger kids, different ballgame. I'm going to drive like a granny in her Buick on the 405 :D
As far as getting out of a lawsuit simply because you "offered" life jackets to your passengers, I wouldn't count on it. If you're going to get sued, you're going to get sued. The lawyers will end up arguing that the jackets were old, outdated too small, too big, or not the right color for the occasion :D
I guess no one wants to touch the "makes it easier to recover the bodies" typical response to life jackets.
I pretty much agree with that statement. If you're going 100+ there is a very good chance you're not gonna make it. And that Life jacket or even lifeline isn't going to help you survive that accident.
But what it will probably do is prevent the divers from spending hours, days or even sometimes weeks to recover your body. Why is that a big deal if you're already clubbin it with the Grim Reaper?
Your friends and family.
They won't be waiting hours, days or weeks for closure.
So if you won't put it on for you, put it on for them.
HB
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I tell the wife all the time that laws are for pussys that are too afraid to push the limits. Yea, I fall into one or more of those categories.
I don't wear a seat belt ALL the time because it's a law. Law's don't scare me. It's just prudent.
My boat rules are
- kids under 16 have to wear jackets when engine is running
- adults (everyone over 16) wears them if I am planning on going over 60
I'll go there.
Off the top of my head, Tony Scarlota at Ming, Paul Fitzgerald at Parker, Jim Bandelin at Long Beach, and I am guessing, possibly Andrew Games at Havasu, could potentially no longer be us if they weren't wearing jackets.
Ski racers fall at 100 plus all the time. Its not the speed that kills you, its usually the boat.
Granted, these crashes occurred at races where jackets are required. My point is, you don't have to be dead for "easier" recovery to be a benefit that could potentially save you life.
Imagine getting an autopsy report on a loved one that said the cause if death was drowning.
Yeah, Tony is under there
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No, Fitz isn't checking the steering gear
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I thought about that but my problem is if the waters decent there's a good chance I'll press the pedal harder and harder. My boat doesn't even start to act right until it hits 70+. So I don't think that will work in my case.
My only thought is right now all I have are lifelines. And we usually only wear them for poker runs. They are not comfortable, and they're bulky. I may step down to a regular boating jacket for running the river and lakes and keep the Lifelines for the PR's.
So what are options size? comfort? Inflatable? Stylish? For example, Lifelines aren't USCG approved. So, what on your boat? Orange Walmart specials are in my boat right now.
I'd wear the lifelines. In the event of a crash at last they'll float you face up if you're knocked unconscious.
As for me. No jackets required. If you wanna wear them I'll supply you with one. But I don't require it unless you're a child. But my boat isn't exactly fast so to me not a big deal.
Don't you have to carry other CG approved life jackets anyhow.......When I was looking at Lifelines on-line the other day I saw that they do not carry USCG approvals.....wouldn't you be at risk with only those during a "Safety inspection"??
Don't get me wrong.....I'm not trying to stir up anything I was just wondering as I was flabbergasted when I read this on the website when I was contemplating buying one.
I hope I am completely wrong cuz I have never heard a bad thing about Lifelines but I'm asking an honest question here. :headscratch:
I don't think I have anything but lifelines on my boat. Someday when I get back out there I will check. lol
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