Whats the difference between Coast guard approved & noncoast guard approved lifevest , .I fell out of the boat fishing & i wanted to get one of those Automatic lifevest to ware while i'm fishing & the nonapproved is cheaper & i also have a full lifevest that is coastguard Approved, but it would be hard to fish in a full lifevest.  GodBless & Thanks

Coast Guard Approved gear satisfies two fairly important requirements.

1. The Federal, State & any Local mandate regarding PFD's always indicates USCG Approved.

2. These units may actually help save your life.

So whatever that's worth to you - spend as you see fit.

Mustang makes a pretty good unit.

A-Jay

The cabelas ones look pretty nice as well, they arent crazy priced either.

As someone who has done a header into 40 degree water, please buy a USCG approved PFD and wear it anytime you are underway or alone. It's not an area to be cheap.

buy the best one that you can afford,remember your life or someone else's may depend on it. 

i have one from onyx, the automatic type that is super comfortable and easy to wear.  was also fairly reasonably priced when i bought mine at Dick's 

NRS Shinook

*Nevermind, you said inflatable.

On 5/7/2016 at 3:30 PM, A-Jay said:

Mustang makes a pretty good unit.

A-Jay

^ I can vouch for this. I've had mine for a few years now and it's been worth every penny. I live in one of the states it has to be worn at all times to count as a PDF and fishing in the heat of summer it's remained super comfortable. There have been many times I've gotten off the water and sat down in the truck only to realize I still had it on. 

Bought a Cabelas version.  Good price. Light weight and comfortable.  Auto inflates.  Just in case I fall in.   

5 hours ago, WIGuide said:

^ I can vouch for this. I've had mine for a few years now and it's been worth every penny. I live in one of the states it has to be worn at all times to count as a PDF and fishing in the heat of summer it's remained super comfortable. There have been many times I've gotten off the water and sat down in the truck only to realize I still had it on. 

LOL, one day after fishing i hit the gas station for some chips and a drink.... couldn't understand why everyone kept kind of eye-balling me until i got back out into the parking lot and realized i still had my PFD on!!  that's a testament to how comfortable and discreet they really are!

I plan on getting a mustang when I get a boat. I wore them at work and they are pretty durable. Remember to just take care of them and due the maintenance. Here I am at a big bass tournament and my buddy only had these on his boat. LoL He was mad we had to wear them and I was laughing the whole time the big motor ran. 

15 minutes ago, GetBent said:

I plan on getting a mustang when I get a boat. I wore them at work and they are pretty durable. Remember to just take care of them and due the maintenance. Here I am at a big bass tournament and my buddy only had these on his boat. LoL He was mad we had to wear them and I was laughing the whole time the big motor ran. 

Man ~ you guys had some wicked reverse gravity that day too . . .

A-Jay

I wear a full vest with a concealed orange hood for visibility if needed.Also a  biggy imo,it has concealed crotch straps.

Yeah I was in Australia..... LoL

why do my pics get turned upside down like that? Last time my pic was 90 degrees? Oh well y'all get the picture. LoL