What are they generally?  I saw a wait type PFD at Cabelas that inflates once it hits water.  Do they have to be auto or will manual inflating jackets meet tourney fishing rules for B.A.S.S.?

*( U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets are required for each person on board. Life jackets must be worn and fastened while main engine is in use.

2 things on inflatables.  Must be 16 and over as well as over 80lbs.  If you remove your inflatable PDF you must have a regualar pdf onboard.  One for each removed inflatable PDF.

New rules about PFD are that the new waist kind by Stearns are not acceptable in a tournament.  Must be around neck.

2 things on inflatables. Must be 16 and over as well as over 80lbs. If you remove your inflatable PDF you must have a regualar pdf onboard. One for each removed inflatable PDF.

A PFD that is manual inflate only, which means that you must pull the cord inorder for it to inflate it is only good if worn all day unless you have a regular type PFD in the boat.

One that Automatically inflates is okay to be taken off as long as it is Coast Guard approved.

Note,  in the Winter, I don't recommend anything but a vest type PFD.    Purely Safety reasons on something not working when its suppose to.

Matt

I have a Stearns inflatable which needs to be worn at all times and I have a Mustang inflatable which does not. Both are automatic. I do not begin to comprehend why, other than one cost $100 and the other $200, but you must carefully check the rating on the vest. The Sterrns states on the underside that it must be worn at all times. Please wear a vest at all times when under way, whether in a tournament or not and utilize the kill switch.

Keep it safe

I am wanting to pick up one of these but what class does it have to be? There are different coast guard types but I have no idea what I need?

Allen

I believe you need a type III.  

Check this out:http://www.boat-ed.com/in/handbook/pfds.htm

As far as I know any coast guard approve pfd is allowed.

Note,  in the Winter, I don't recommend anything but a vest type PFD.    Purely Safety reasons on something not working when its suppose to.

Matt

Below is a pic of what we wear in the winter on the ocean.  Not only is it a type III, the arms and everything have foam.  When you go in wearing one of these, you float from the chest up, not from the neck up, another neat feature.  Helps keep you warm too, one of the warmer jackets I own but not practical for everyday use around town,...doesn't look like it but it is a life jacket.

The jacket is most popular in coast guard orange but comes in many colors to match your color scheme.  Mine is teal blue, for example.

LBH, where can you buy a life jacket like that, I wouldnt mind having one for winter fishing. Would be nice for those long runs on the river.

The lifejackets can NOT be a seat or other pfd. it HAS to go around your neck. there has to be a lifejacket for every person on board the boat.

Redline Robert nailed it.

The use of life jackets usually prevails in all bass tournaments, from club to the Classic.

If any boater in our club tournaments gets a ticket for speeding or any other safety violtation, his boat and his fishing partner are disqualified.

Simple as that!

LBH,

I bet you look pretty in Teal blue.

And where can I get one of these things???????