Life Vests

[HGJC]

As time goes on, I hear more and more about accidents with high performance boats. Out of curiousity, do most of you wear life vests while your driving? What about your passengers?

I have had my 25-Outlaw for 3 months now, and never once thought of wearing one. After hearing about yet another freak accident involving a guy in a 33' boat who hit a submerged fish trap buoy, and he and his family were all thrown from the water at 80 m.p.h. They were all seriously injured, however, life vests kept them alive.

Henry

[Baja Daze]

Nope...Never worn one, other than testing race boats.

[BDannecker]

You know, though I don't wear one, I and all of my passengers will be required to in this weekend's Extreme Boats Poker Run on Lake Texoma. I am a bit miffed that they are forcing it but then I guess it's similar to the introduction of the seat belt laws in the '70's. I wouldn't think about driving a car without one now but I know more than a few people who were/are pissed that it's the law. Clearly the statistics show PFD's do save lives. :)

I guess the next thread here should be: who makes the coolest PFD's?

Bruce...

[bryan275]

Now I'm curious who actually clips on the tether for the engine kill switch and who just lets it dangle there?:rolleyes

[MissBehave1]

Guilty.... no life jacket and I never wear the tether..... it flops around like a fish out of water...... should wear it..... I can't imagine getting throw from the boat or seat for that matter and not having control of the boat but it could easily happen..... NOT a pleasant thought :eek

[MXBAJA421]

i'll admit it i do hook my kill switch to my trunks, just in case
we get launched in the air because you never know.
i had a friend of mine roll a 29 outlaw with twins at longview
lake. i make my eight year old daughter wear her life vest at
all times in the boat,and when the girls are with me we don't run at w.o.t.
after racing motocross for ten years playing it safe doesn't
hurt so bad after hearing what happened to those two
mechanics at l.o.t.o. last friday. sounds like a travis pastrana
coming up a little short on a triple. the 4th is near.

(quick-e-nuff) 29 outlaw 502mag
chad

[Baja Daze]

I will wear my kill lanyard when I deem it necessary. Usually when just cruising around, I won't...but, when it gets rougher or I know I will be running hard, I'll clip it.

When you experience an occasion where you get serious air or hit a nasty bit of chop, it makes for great peace of mind.

I seek out large seas and big wakes sometimes to get that perfect launch. There's nothing like it in the world...

It's quite an enjoyable experience getting air and being quick on the throttles, but keep in mind there's always a the possibility of a landing going wrong or your steering taking a dump at the worst time.

I've seen it happen to someone else once--Nothing is scarier than being a sitting duck in the water while a big boat is doing circles around you at part throttle unpiloted.

Having said all this, it's only logical to want to wear a vest, too, but I just can't bring myself to wear one...They are mighty uncomfortable in the midst of a hot Florida Summer day.

[DCH1]

When I was a kid, dad made us all wear vests. Now that I have a choice, I usually don't. But I make sure my kids and guest's kids do wear vests or we don't go. I also keep extra vests and a throw cushion in a number equal to un-vested passengers or greater topside. And extras are stowed in the cabin.

I admit to NOT using the kill lanyard also. But then, I face a weekend 30 MPH speed limit. Even when I can get away with it, I keep the speed down. No ocean wave launches for my passengers.

I may use both on Winnie this summer if I can get the chance to run the boat faster - at least there it is legal.

DCH

[Baja Daze]

30mph S.L.

Wow, I couldn't even imagine. That's barely on plane, sluggish, I'm sure your 342 feel much the same.

[DCH1]

Yes Baja Daze, it is VERY sluggish!

When nailed by the marine police at 35 MPH, I got them to let me do a few passes by the radar gun. If I have the tabs mostly depressed and the engines at 2500 RPMs, I can maintain 30 MPH.

I'd say 35 MPH is more comfortable, as the tabs mostly come up and the revs increase to about 2800. With tabs up at 3000 RPM she is doing just over 40 MPH, which is definitely ticket time on the weekends.

DCH

[BDannecker]

DCH,
With a 30 mph limit on your "home" lake I guess you'll have to re-think those superchargers..... or move. :rollin

Bruce...

[DCH1]

Bruce:

Too true! Would LOVE to move! Have even tried it. Just can't seem to make a decent living outside NYC!

Maybe I'll find a big lake and open a BAJA dealership. :rollin

DCH

[Baja340SF]

Where is this 30 MPH weekend speed limit? Please dont say Winni!!

[DCH1]

0] NO, not Winnie. You can relax!

This is on Lake Hopatcong in New Jersey. It is the largest lake in the state and the closest place to boat near my home.

Hence I have a trailer . . .

DCH

[OUTLAW 29]

Lifejacket - never

Lanyard - always

Everyone knows that a boat without a driver takes the path of least resistance which is a tight circle around the poor guy who just fell overboard. Always wear that lanyard!!

[bryan275]

I always wear the Lanyard except around the docks. If I fell out of my boat, it's continuing in whatever direction I was traveling with external steering!

[DCH1]

I hear you Outlaw29. Recently read about two guys who were dodging their boat for the longest time before it got them . . . I don't want that to be me.


If a kid falls out, I ncan go back and get them if they have a preserver. That rationale works for inexperienced swimmers.

DCH