What is the best Personnal Floatation Device for boat hunters?

Bill Burruss

Bill Burruss

Well-known member
All,

The float coat Tod brought up in his post started some interesting discussion, and I thought the topic worth separting out. Quite frankly, the thought of accidentally going overboard in cold water is my biggest safety concern, and I am wondering what works best for boat hunting. I'd really like to get something that is comfortable and easy to shoot out of so I could leave the thing on all the time. The float coat sounds great since it has the advantage of protecting you from the cold water, but I am concerned about how well one can shoot with it on. The inflatable vests/belts/suspenders seem like they would be very comfortable and unrestrictive, but would leave you exposed to the cold water if overboard. I'm curios as to what types of PFDs others have found to work well for boat hunting?

Thanks,

Bill

PS- and I once had to take a swim test in 52 degree water (or so they said)- hope to NEVER experience that again
 
Hi Bill - I think the Mustang survival coat would really be the ticket, my only concern with it is sort of a "shiny green" rather than a "flat green." However, it sounds like it works well for Tod, he must not have any issues with the color. I had always wanted to go the suspenders route, but I have a feeling I may not ever actually use them, as wearing two pairs of suspenders (PFD and waders) might be constrictive. Currently I just keep PFD's stowed under the bow, as I presume most people do.
 
Most of my hunting is done in wade-able water. If I were to go overboard the chances of being separated far from my boat and/or shoreline would be slim. I don't like the practice of storing my pfd under the deck. That would be the place least accessible to me during an emergency. During an emergency one will not have time to be grabbing for and trying to put on a pfd.

I wear an inflatable pfd. Sometimes I leave it on during the hunt but usually not. Any time I have been over open water during a hunt I wear it all the time. I don't consider it the best as far as protection goes but it is the best for me because I will wear it.
 
Bill,
I was thinking about this also, I've been flipping back and forth between the Mustang Floation coat and the Mustang Bomber Jacket.

The floation jacket comes in camo http://www.mustangsurvival.com/...php?id=491&mc=24

But I figured it maybe too long for sitting in a boat, so the Bomber jacket may be my final choice with a thin camo cover up.

Maybe Tod could chime in here, I did notice two types of Bomber jackets on there web site-- classic and integrity version. I need to purchase one once I start heading out into the bays.

-Jack
 
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All,

The float coat Tod brought up in his post started some interesting discussion, and I thought the topic worth separting out. Quite frankly, the thought of accidentally going overboard in cold water is my biggest safety concern, and I am wondering what works best for boat hunting. I'd really like to get something that is comfortable and easy to shoot out of so I could leave the thing on all the time. The float coat sounds great since it has the advantage of protecting you from the cold water, but I am concerned about how well one can shoot with it on. The inflatable vests/belts/suspenders seem like they would be very comfortable and unrestrictive, but would leave you exposed to the cold water if overboard. I'm curios as to what types of PFDs others have found to work well for boat hunting?

Thanks,

Bill

PS- and I once had to take a swim test in 52 degree water (or so they said)- hope to NEVER experience that again
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Bill and all,

My jacket is the Classic Flotation Bomber Jacket with Reflective Tape :: MJ6214 T1. I don't think they made the integrity when I bought mine, several years back, so I can't comment. For duck hunting, I wouldn't want anything other than a bomber style. I bought this coat because that is what "everyone" who works professionally on the water and wears some sort of floatation in the winter uses. It is a very nicely made thing and super comfortable, I've not heard the same thing about the Sterns. Fit and sizing are the same as a regular coat. I would not buy a recreational level coat as a float coat expecting the level of comfort that this coat has.

I have no issues shooting with it on beyond what are typical issues wearing heavy clothes.

I like the color and used it for years without any camo, other than a facemask, but I'm not a hardcore camo user. Most of the stuff, I wear is camo, but that is only because that is what is an option. If you want to cover it up, wear a 4 in 1 shell over. I hunted for years without anything over it and I now wear a slicker over it because it lost some of its water repellency (but it still water proof) and I just got sick of being wet in general and prefer rubber to gor-tex.

The only downside to the jacket is that the cuffs absorb water, I wish they were neoprene or something like that and didn't get wet, but that is minor. When wet, they don't get cold, but when they dry with a salt crust on them it isn't so nice.

About the best price you can get is at landfall navigation: http://www.landfallnavigation.com/smj6214.html

T
 
Quite frankly, the thought of accidentally going overboard in cold water is my biggest safety concern, and I am wondering what works best for boat hunting.
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Either that or getting creamed by a drunk driver at 4:00 a.m.
 
Quite frankly, the thought of accidentally going overboard in cold water is my biggest safety concern, and I am wondering what works best for boat hunting.
Click to expand...
Either that or getting creamed by a drunk driver at 4:00 a.m.
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Eric, you are exactly right, in managing risk, you need to be reasonable about the risks you will encounter. I always tell Jen that driving there is usually the most dangerous part of duck hunting. Once there, a fall in the water and getting seperated from the the boat is the most dangerous.

T
 
Most of my hunting is done in wade-able water. If I were to go overboard the chances of being separated far from my boat and/or shoreline would be slim. I don't like the practice of storing my pfd under the deck. That would be the place least accessible to me during an emergency. During an emergency one will not have time to be grabbing for and trying to put on a pfd.

I wear an inflatable pfd. Sometimes I leave it on during the hunt but usually not. Any time I have been over open water during a hunt I wear it all the time. I don't consider it the best as far as protection goes but it is the best for me because I will wear it.
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I'll echo Dave's comments - the only good PFD's are the ones you will wear. I tried a few others prior to purchasing a Mustang inflatable and found I rarely wore the other ones. While the Mustang may not be the absolute best option, I wear it all the time just like Dave does. I feel as if it isn't even on and have forgotten many times that I was wearing it only to learn I was when I shouldered the gun for the first time in the morning.

My only choice was if I wanted a self actuating one or not. I read all the "cautions" on when you have to be careful with the self inflating ones and decided it wasn't for me. According to the label on the Sospenders, you have to be careful when there will be lots of water splashing, on misty mornings, in the rain etc.... Isn't this when most duck hunters wear a PFD?

As s side, I found a nice auto inflate Sospenders Saturday morning at the boat launch. I didn't want to leave it at the ramp but had an idea it was the others guys who were out huting that morning. I put it in my truck and left a note on the car of the other hunters. Guy called me to say it was his and after repeated calls back, he never answers or calls me back to arrnage a time for him to pick the thing up. Strange.

Mark W
 
I work on the water year round, alone, I've never worn a PFD and don't know anyone that has. I'm sort of ambivalent about them, I figure If we go over in cold water the only thing the PFD will accomplish will be for someone to find your dead ass faster.

That said, NY just passed a law stating that ANYONE operating a boat, (or canoe,kayak,etc.) under 21' MUST wear a PFD from Nov.1 to sometime in the spring.

The Mustang bomber looks like a good option, I'm just not keen on the State minding my business.
 
I just bought a set of Artic Armor. It is the bomb. Not stiff, very warm and comfortable. A bit pricey at $300 but it will float you no problem and a buddy too. Watch the videos of this stuff in action. I bought it mainly for fishing but they do make a camo version also.
 
I just bought a set of Artic Armor. It is the bomb. Not stiff, very warm and comfortable. A bit pricey at $300 but it will float you no problem and a buddy too. Watch the videos of this stuff in action. I bought it mainly for fishing but they do make a camo version also.
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Ken, is it a PFD?

T
 
Good observation Tod. Probably doesn't qualify as a PFD or the company would advertised as such, but would certainly be better than no flotation at all, and if guys wear it because its more comfortable/less restrictive then it beats the heck out of the PFD stowed in the forward hatch.
 
Tod,

I don't know that it is rated as a PFD by the USCG. Doesn't matter to me, I will still have an official PFD in the boat but this suit is what I'm counting on to save my arse. I bought both jacket and pants. For someone wearing waders, just the jacket would be enough. Here is the link, watch the video.

http://www.idigear.com/arcticarmor.php

Ken
 
I work on the water year round, alone, I've never worn a PFD and don't know anyone that has. I'm sort of ambivalent about them, I figure If we go over in cold water the only thing the PFD will accomplish will be for someone to find your dead ass faster.

That said, NY just passed a law stating that ANYONE operating a boat, (or canoe,kayak,etc.) under 21' MUST wear a PFD from Nov.1 to sometime in the spring.

The Mustang bomber looks like a good option, I'm just not keen on the State minding my business.
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I just can't understand the logic of "...the only thing the PFD will accomplish will be for someone to find your dead ass faster." So if you go in you see no value in anyone that may be in the area trying to assist you or help save your dying ass? What about giving you a few precious minutes to help save yourself? What if you bonk your noggin on the way and would be unable to keep yourself afloat, but someone saw and would have been able to help you out. Without a pfd there wouldn't be much chance.

Sorta like the mentality of motorcycle riders who don't wear a helmet. My bro-in-law who is a police officer and a motorcycle rider says, "it just makes the fireman's job easier when cleaning you up."

I think it's just ignorance.
 
Tod,

I don't know that it is rated as a PFD by the USCG. Doesn't matter to me, I will still have an official PFD in the boat but this suit is what I'm counting on to save my arse. I bought both jacket and pants. For someone wearing waders, just the jacket would be enough. Here is the link, watch the video.

http://www.idigear.com/arcticarmor.php

Ken
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Ken and Tim,

It looks like a great tool. I just want to make sure that no one buys one thinking they are PFDs if they aren't.

T
 
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Tod I agree 100%, I would not want anyone being misled by my comments into thinking that these garments are PFDs.

They are not approved PFDs (I wrote to the manufacturer).

Tim
 
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