Inflatable PFD

[Icetrey]

I'm fairly new to kayak fishing (going kayaking strictly to fish) and since I'd like to primarily fish the bays, I want to start wearing a PFD at all time. I figure the best/most comfortable way to do this is with an inflatable, as in the collar varieties. They seem to all be at least $50 and can get upwards of $300. Is there much difference between them? Several different makers, and I can't tell much difference between them.

[texnomad]

That is a really good question I am anxious to hear the answers. I just got my new yak today and am thinking of an inflatable also. Thanks for posting the question.

[MobyYack]

it definitely would help on hot days

[Mr. B]

Have looked into them a bit but am sure others who wear them will be able to advise. I did notice when I looked into them that some of them can be very costly to rearm and some vary in when they will go off with the introduction of water to them. I am also interested to hear what some other regular users would say.

[kickingback]

I have never owned one but have been told they do need to be recharged after a certain time has passed. Also the fact that you are in an open kayak subject to lots of water spray while paddling/peddling I am not sure I would want to have to maintain it especially in salt water conditions. I always wear my PFD even in the shallow bays. Force of habit I learned from being retired military.

[hipshot]

Call me old-fashioned, but I'm more than a little hinky about relying on an inflatable in a kayak, especially considering that I fly fish 99.9% of the time. Too easy to accidentally puncture it. I used one in the bass boat, but I had conventional spares aboard.

[Kayak Kid]

The US Coast Guard uses them. However the maintenance program for their inflatable pfd's is far more stringent than most of us will adhere to.
I think our well being on the water is much better suited for a comfortable non inflatable PFD.

[SuperShane]

I wear the onyx from academy it is great, I don't even notice it after about 30min, however I have had to replace the cartridge twice due to negligence on my part, I left it in the hatch after a rough day and when I loaded my kayak the water went forward and it did it job, with water over the bow my outback leaks water, the other time after a wade I set it in the back anchored on the way back to the launch water got in there with the scupper plugs in and it popped(scared the crap out of me)

[Yaklash]

The US Coast Guard uses them. However the maintenance program for their inflatable pfd's is far more stringent than most of us will adhere to.
I think our well being on the water is much better suited for a comfortable non inflatable PFD.

I agree. I started with an old water ski vest style which was not very buoyant and then went to an inflatable that I bought for sailboat racing. I tested it a few times over about 8 years, but after each test, I replaced the cartridge and then worried about whether the cartridge was properly installed.

Eventually guys like KK convinced me that high quality, cut-for-paddling, idiot-proof PFDs were the way to go. Yes, it gets warm. I just drink more water.

[larry long shadows]

I bought one used it once ..popped it in my living room for fun ...never used it again I prefer old school vest

[lagavulin62]

Just had to research this new to me advancement. When I'm in distress I like to keep things simple, tried and true. No thanks. But I can't wait to read what they come up with next.

[seaaggie_99]

I use a Mustang self-inflating. I'm pretty new to kayak fishing so I too looked at the different options/cost variance and weighed the pro's and con's against what I thought was going to be most comfortable and practical. Having worked in the safety profession offshore for years, I've been exposed to many different types of inflatables as well as the old foam trustees...my main goal was to find something comfortable so I wouldn't be tempted to NOT wear it. I ended up going with the self-inflating because it was more compact and flexible than the foam vests I looked at and less expensive than the manual pull inflatable. I also recognized that means it could deploy even if I don't want it to (i.e. a good soaking in an accidental slip at the launch or something).

I've also learned that your protective equipment will only treat you as good as you treat it (including the old foamies). I inspect my PFD (and other emergency equip.) before and after each trip, I store it on a hanger protected from weather, extreme heat/cold, etc.; I also have (and carry) replacement cartridges when I go out should I experience an unintended inflation. Despite however confident I thought I was with using it, I read the entire user manual and maintenance instructions and then tested it (and my ability to recharge/repack it) and then deployed it again to make sure I was confident in my ability to do it correctly.

My suggestion is find something that's a comfortable fit for your body and your budget (there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution); then make sure you understand how to use, inspect and maintain it.

Tight lines.

[capt carl]

fished with one for 12 years

[rms2005]

I bought one several years ago for the comfort. I always carry a traditional pfd in the hull incase it inflates, I go in for a swim or conditions get iffy. I did get one that has the auto inflate, a manual pull handle as well as a mouth tube at the top that you can blow into if the cartridge were to fail.

[Forever Fishing]

I own a couple of different inflatables including a Hobie & Oynx. I only wear them while in the marsh on the yak but never on the Solo Skiff or jet ski. They are comfortable while on/in the yak but not very comfortable when inflated and floating in the water. Never had any problems with screwing on the compressed air or checking/replacing the valve. Easy operation. Remember if you do use an inflatable you are required to wear it the entire time while on your vessel. If it's stored anywhere but on your body then you are considered as not having a flotation device on board. The law/warden can write you a ticket (so I hear).

Overall I like using the inflatables and continue to use them in the shallows/marsh/yak.

[thorn2fish]

My wife and I have used the Onyx for several years now and like the freedom and light weight. Our only experience with vests prior to this was mainly while skiing and these inflatables felt so much better in comparison.

We mainly fish open lakes in windy Oklahoma, but also fish the Texas coast as well. We keep them in manual mode and carry extra throwable flotation as well with us. Since we go together, we are comfortable with the risks (the main one of being hit by a boat and no automated inflation). We carry a spare CO2 cartridge as well ($16 on Amazon).

That said, we do plan to purchase fishing vests at some point just for those rougher days/longer paddles. We are waiting until the next time we go to Southwest Paddle Sports or Austin Kayak when we can try on several different types.

On the lighter side, I thought I would take my sons inflatable instead of a throwable last time. He just bought it and I forgot that he had left it in automatic mode. I heard a rushing sound and thought I was about to be ran over. Then a popping noise started that made the kayak shudder. A wave came over the back and it was the bungee cords on the back cargo well popping when the vest expanded. Anyway, I got to see one inflated and it gave me a little more confidence on its capability.

[richg99]

I've had an Onyx for about ten years. Never had to use it and, I hate to say, I have never tried it out either. It is a manual/automatic style. I do have back-up charging units.

Incidentally, the "auto" device is pretty much just an aspirin that holds back a spring loaded puncture needle. Once you picture that, you get a better idea of how they can go off inadvertently. Mine never has.

Once I got used to it, I can't get into the yak without knowing something is missing. I also wear it all of the time that I am in my little tinny power boat, too. It's a habit, just like seat belts. richg99

[Taz]

Not an expert but there is more than 1 type of automatic actuator.
The most common type as described above are basically dissolving aspirin and may trigger delayed due to wave spray etc....and are about 30 - 50 bucks to replace actuator and cartridge.
There is newer technology called Hydrostatic Inflator Technology (HIT) to automatically inflate the PFD when immersed in as little as 4" of water.
Not sure what these cost to replace but they are supposed to give less "premature releases? "
The difference is about $100 + dollars initially for the conventional vs the HIT. Check out academy on-line
I think you will find all of the serious big bass boat guys go with the HIT models.

I just use a normal kayak pfd (non inflating) but I don't usually spend a whole day in the yak.

[hipshot]

Most of the problems I've read about involve automatic units inflating at the wrong time. FWIW, the ones I have (and rarely use) are manually initiated.

[Icetrey]

I did lots of thinking, and finally decided on a pfd. I've been reluctant to actually commit to wear one everytime I'm out by myself since it's mostly in shallow water that won't get rough. But, I know I need to do it. So I that about it and the reason I'm wearing a pfd full time is for worst case scenario. The auto inflates seems to be finicky and the price to replace the cartridge is crazy. I bought a non inflate pfd today mostly because in that worst case scenario, there's always a chance I'm not able to pull the cord. If I'm wearing it full time for insurance, I don't want to depend on myself for the insurance to work.

[richg99]

Good for you. ANY PFD is so much better than NO pfd. Keep safe.

richg99

[texnomad]

You have made a very good decision. Sit on the floor and measure how far it is up to your mouth. Any water deeper than that a PFD makes a for sure difference. I know that from an unpleasant experience in my younger days when I thought I was drown proof cause I could swim so good.

[ranben2762]

I started kayak fishing about 3 years ago and decided that I needed a good PFD. I bought a Stohlquist Fisherman because I like the layout and fit. Because of the influence of my TKF peers, I wear it whenever I'm on the water. I've wade fished for decades and in the past I wore swimming trunks or shorts and maybe an old pair of sneakers. Now I even wear my PFD when I just go for a wade. It has enough pockets and clips to stow whatever I want to bring and maybe, just maybe, I won't die! Like Yaklash stated "I just drink more water". Now when I go out in my kayak, I wear long sleeves, a big-a$$ hat, sunscreen and my PFD. Maybe it's just age-related wisdom Find the PFD that suits you best. If it's inflatable, by all means maintain it. But whatever you choose...use it