Inflatable PDF

D

David Allen

Active member
I would like to find a PDF that I can wear while hunting from a boat. Does anyone have any experience with any of the inflatable PDFs? I would prefer the suspender style but I am not sure if they would impact my gun mount.
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There is also the option of a chest pack style
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The last option would be the belts style.

What have your experiences and thoughts.
 
Shooting with the suspender style may be difficult. Try looking st the kayak style vests they have a mesh patch on the shoulder instead of the flotation foam
 
I use the inflatable vest when under way only. They get in the way while shooting though. I shoot one man boats and got in the habit of putting it on religiously. I keep a type 1 in the cockpit also. Took a spill a few years while poling back to my hide.
I worked for a marine towing company and almost took a spill overboard. We work one man on a boat and often work in heavy seas, next day I went to West and bought my own. I have a spare now.
 
Just a word of warning on inflatables. Not all of them work as advertised in cold weather. Check the US Coast Guard label. Some will say “DO NOT USE BELOW FREEZING”. The warning refers to air temperature.
 
I've always been skeptical about Inflatable PDFs. I have thought about them because of the freedom (movement) it gives you while wearing them, do I want to trust them enough to guarantee that they will inflate when needed. I think I am leaning more towards the PDF's used by kayakers. They seem to have some good ability for movements. What are your thoughts? Inflatable PDF vs Kayak PDF.
 
Good morning.

I have a Mustang full length float coat and love it, but have a question that no one even Mustang could answer.

In NY we have to display our back tag on our coat, and the Mustang has no tab to do so. Will punching two small holes with the pin to mount the tag, de-rate or somehow render the coat less safe or effective? Mustang just said its not recommended as its an alteration.

The float coat is a bit more bulky than my old goretex coat hunting coat and takes a bit of practice to get used to.
 
Fred Burkhardt said:
Good morning.

I have a Mustang full length float coat and love it, but have a question that no one even Mustang could answer.

In NY we have to display our back tag on our coat, and the Mustang has no tab to do so. Will punching two small holes with the pin to mount the tag, de-rate or somehow render the coat less safe or effective? Mustang just said its not recommended as its an alteration.

The float coat is a bit more bulky than my old goretex coat hunting coat and takes a bit of practice to get used to.
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I'm familiar with the requirement, having grown up in NY and I'm a lifetime license holder (even though not a resident). I don't think the outer of the coat would do well punching holes for the backtag in it, since it has the foam underneath that is a little stiffer then normal insulation and woudl stress the fabric. Have you thought about adding tabs to the jacket to put the pin on? There is fabric glue available and that seems like a fairly easy project to fold a piece of fabric that you had on hand over, stitch to form a loop and then glue or sew on.
 
Has anyone ever been cited for not wearing it (license on back) while waterfowling? I hunt NY as an out-of-stater, and have been checked 2X. My licenses are in a waterproof case in my blind bag. Never on my back. They didn't comment at all....

I wear my PFD anytime I am in more than waist deep water. I wear it walking in the water setting decoys in the dark for sure! John Bourbon carried me from his boat to the truck one time when I stepped over my waders and hypothermia set in quick! We (he) scrambled to gather everything and rushed back to the ramp, but by then I had no motor skills, and could not walk.
 
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i have worn an inflatable PFD out to the hunting spot for a couple years now- my hunting partner got his after i commented that it was a promise to my wife (in frigid water- at least they will recover the body [;)]) he got one after that

i do not wear it while shooting - since i am not out on the water - we push the boat into the cattails and put up a boat blind

i'll admit, i have wondered how well they work- so i decided that this summer - i am going to put my coat and waders on - with the vest and jump off the end of the dock (its about chest deep) and see how it does

so sometime - when the water is warmer- i'll report back
 
I have an inflatable from Mustang Survival that is well rated. I have never jumped in the water to test it, though! It also has manual backup.
Jim
 
I have looked into gluing a patch on, and as good as adhesives have become ( a Lexus is basically glued together) I have the fear of bond failure and losing my back tag.

I have been checked more time that I can remember, but always had my tag on my back so I do not know if its a big deal to the NY ECO's or Marine Police or Bay Constable's.
 
For hunting I use a kayak type PFD with mesh on the shoulders. Bought it from cabela’s. For work I wear a Mustang inflatable during the warmer months and a Mustang float coat in cold weather. I feel the float coat is the best/safest option in cold weather but there is no way I could shoot with it on. Another consideration is color. The one I bought for hunting is Camo, ‘cause it’s for hunting. But I rarely wear it when actually hunting If I had it to do again I would get a bright color. If things go south and I need it, I want to be seen.
 
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