Life Jackets

**KAP** · 03-28-2014, 09:00 AM

Question:

How many people wear a life jacket while operating their boat?

If you do Why!

If you don't what is the reason?

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I always do when participating in events.

These last few years I have been wearing a life jacket routinely.

Why! because I am doing triple digits when the time is right and cruising when it's busy.

In the ocean. I always wear a jacket and everyone in my boat is required to wear one in the ocean or they stay on the dock.

I was kinda curious to hear what other people do routinely in their boats on this subject.

Oh and I also clip the kill switch to my shorts or jacket.

**Sharp shooter** · 03-28-2014, 09:07 AM

For recreational slow speed cruising In a ski boat I usually don't. For faster rides in faster boats yes.

IF I was a weekend boater out with the crowds or offshore boating I would wear it.

**djunkie** · 03-28-2014, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by Sharp shooter

For recreational slow speed cruising In a ski boat I usually don't. For faster rides in faster boats yes.

IF I was a weekend boater out with the crowds or offshore boating I would wear it.

Same here. My boat spends most its time cruising around 40-50mph. When I was out testing props and really running it hard I put my lifeline on just in case. I also wear it when riding in my buddies boats. His are capable of triple digits and I feel a whole lot safer with the jacket on.

**KAP** · 03-28-2014, 09:26 AM

I always wonder if people respect the speeds now days.

In the past 100MPH was a lofty goal most if not 90% of the people boating never see those speeds. In the last 5 years the 100MPH mark is yesterdays news. The new benchmark for speed is 150MPH and above.

On occasion some people make snide comments about my wearing a jacket. I usually laugh because they do not have any comprehension of boating safety or they are riding in a toon doing 22mph.

I rarely ever see anyone wearing a jacket.

djunkie brought up a great point I overlooked. I also feel a whole lot safer with a jacket on.

GRADS · 03-28-2014, 09:27 AM

When we had our Eliminator Eagle it did about 75 m.p.h. and I would only wear it when we would go above 55 or so. When we had our Daytona I made every single person that got in the boat wear one no matter what speed we were doing. Shit can go bad really fast when you're doing over 100. When I first got my Shockwave I wore it out of habit but quickly realized I could probably swim faster than the boat so I stopped wearing it.

**Stainless** · 03-28-2014, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by Sharp shooter

For recreational slow speed cruising In a ski boat I usually don't. For faster rides in faster boats yes.

IF I was a weekend boater out with the crowds or offshore boating I would wear it.

X3, and too add to that it's awfully hot in the summer wearing one.
I have a full compliment of lifelines and a few token USCG approved vests in my boat in case I'm safety checked.

CH3NO2

**KAP** · 03-28-2014, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by GRADS

When we had our Eliminator Eagle it did about 75 m.p.h. and I would only wear it when we would go above 55 or so. When we had our Daytona I made every single person that got in the boat wear one no matter what speed we were doing. Shit can go bad really fast when you're doing over 100. When I first got my Shockwave I wore it out of habit but quickly realized I could probably swim faster than the boat so I stopped wearing it.

The highlighted section above is exactly my thought process. It only takes a split second and disaster can happen real quick.

On a sidenote: A good friend of mine passed away recently and it makes me think if he had been wearing a Lifeline he might still be alive.

GRADS · 03-28-2014, 09:42 AM

If you've ever seen a boating accident first hand, which I'm sure a lot of you have, a lot of the time when the people are thrown from the boat they are knocked silly or even unconcious. That life vest could be the difference between sinking and floating.

**SnoC653** · 03-28-2014, 09:52 AM

From launching the boat to trailering the boat, I have a jacket on. Beached at the sandbar, I usually take it off. But I'm a none swimmer (while I can probably swim enough to save my life, that is one bet I don't want to come up short on).

I can understand on big boats the risk of falling or being sent overboard is minimal at slow speeds, but if something happens and the boat starts taking on water, do you want to stop and put your jacket on first or get busy fixing the problem if its fixable?

**Sharp shooter** · 03-28-2014, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by SnoC653

From launching the boat to trailering the boat, I have a jacket on. Beached at the sandbar, I usually take it off. But I'm a none swimmer (while I can probably swim enough to save my life, that is one bet I don't want to come up short on).

I can understand on big boats the risk of falling or being sent overboard is minimal at slow speeds, but if something happens and the boat starts taking on water, do you want to stop and put your jacket on first or get busy fixing the problem if its fixable?

You really should consider upping your swimming skills. Not only will you be safer, but you're missing out on a lot of fun.