When I run my boat solo I stuff my fat ass into a preserver and attach the kill switch to it on a 23 ft boat. Lol. I too am thinking about one of those fancier inflatables…
Water safety
I know many of us have decades under our belt on the water either behind a steering wheel or in front of a tiller handle. Unfortunately 3 people died over the weekend in Florida waters. In 2 separate boating accidents one here in Ft Myers where on Sunday with it blowing 25 plus some guy and his step father decide to take a 16 foot johnboat in the Calossahatchee around downtown. On the way back in the boat sunk and only the step father was rescued and FWC found a body today very sad he left behind a daughter. The other incident was a rental boat on a lake where the people where new to boating and the lady jumped in the water to set the anchor.As she did this the boat floated away from her so the 2 guys on the boat both jump in the save her and they both disappeared as the boat floated away with their 2 kids on it. Thankfully the lady survived. I say this as I'm one to never wear a life vest and fish solo most of the time. I am thinking of getting one of the self inflating ones just be careful out there people it only takes a second to go sideways. I prefer not to go fishing if there are white caps out there. With summer coming I'm sure there will be more unfortunately.
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When in doubt do not go out.
You can drown in 6” of water poling your skiff solo if you fall off and hit your head just right. This is why I teach my son to know what to do if that happens and run the boat back to the cut where boats are.
That’s why my boat is self bailing. Haven’t had to use it yet cause I don’t go out when it’s blowing so hard I can’t fly fish
When washing my boat I always run water through the self bail. Don’t want to get on the water with a mud dobber nest in it
When washing my boat I always run water through the self bail. Don’t want to get on the water with a mud dobber nest in it
I've always wore a kill switch religiously. Even before it was law.I know many of us have decades under our belt on the water either behind a steering wheel or in front of a tiller handle. Unfortunately 3 people died over the weekend in Florida waters. In 2 separate boating accidents one here in Ft Myers where on Sunday with it blowing 25 plus some guy and his step father decide to take a 16 foot johnboat in the Calossahatchee around downtown. On the way back in the boat sunk and only the step father was rescued and FWC found a body today very sad he left behind a daughter. The other incident was a rental boat on a lake where the people where new to boating and the lady jumped in the water to set the anchor.As she did this the boat floated away from her so the 2 guys on the boat both jump in the save her and they both disappeared as the boat floated away with their 2 kids on it. Thankfully the lady survived. I say this as I'm one to never wear a life vest and fish solo most of the time. I am thinking of getting one of the self inflating ones just be careful out there people it only takes a second to go sideways. I prefer not to go fishing if there are white caps out there. With summer coming I'm sure there will be more unfortunately.
Safety is Paramount…. Things can change out there so fast. Knowing your limitations…
I’ve been tossed out of a boat before at slow speed and operator didn’t have kill switch on got lucky and it turned and hit bank, then 8 months ago my skiff got totaled by a night time collision with another boat without lights on.
I don’t mess around with safety gear anymore. Life jacket when running solo, always wearing kill switch if boat engine is running, if I need to run up to bow I just turn it off. New boat will have flotation foam, 2 bilge pumps, and I will be getting a plb. Stuff happens to quick out there.
I don’t mess around with safety gear anymore. Life jacket when running solo, always wearing kill switch if boat engine is running, if I need to run up to bow I just turn it off. New boat will have flotation foam, 2 bilge pumps, and I will be getting a plb. Stuff happens to quick out there.
There were these two as well out in the same conditions. I believe they capsized and were found clinging to a stilt house.
PORT RICHEY, FLa.- Multiple agencies responded to two kayakers that were overcome by weather conditions in the area of Durney Key Sunday afternoon.
PORT RICHEY, FLa.- Multiple agencies responded to two kayakers that were overcome by weather conditions in the area of Durney Key Sunday afternoon.
I'll be in lower keys for 2 months aga8n this year. I don't have partners lined up for all days yet, do I am gonna invest in one of those auto inflating jackets, already have the eprb. Better safe than sorry.. ..
I have an inflatable life vest and wear it 100% while i'm on the water. I put it on launching and don't take it off til the boat is back on the trailer. The kill switch is worn while under way. I'm almost 67y.o. with a bad back. When I leave to go fishing, my main objective is to return home safely. Common sense goes a LONG way, Be safe out there guys!
Tell us the night collision story.I’ve been tossed out of a boat before at slow speed and operator didn’t have kill switch on got lucky and it turned and hit bank, then 8 months ago my skiff got totaled by a night time collision with another boat without lights on.
I don’t mess around with safety gear anymore. Life jacket when running solo, always wearing kill switch if boat engine is running, if I need to run up to bow I just turn it off. New boat will have flotation foam, 2 bilge pumps, and I will be getting a plb. Stuff happens to quick out there.
Solo a lot, ever since I started kayaking 10 years ago I’ve worn a vest. NRS vest, small enough, and it holds my tethered pliers, zinc stick, snap off survival knife, and a whistle. There is more space in the pockets, but no need everything else is in the skiff.
This!! My 9yo daughter is getting more operating lessons today.You can drown in 6” of water poling your skiff solo if you fall off and hit your head just right. This is why I teach my son to know what to do if that happens and run the boat back to the cut where boats are.
I’ve been inflatables for some time now. I have a manual inflate waist belt one and auto inflate over the shoulders. Both are comfortable and store easy, but I find myself wearing the waist belt more often. Academy has some good prices on theirs. Onyx is the brand name. I caught mine on sale for 60/65$.
I’ve been breaking in my new Suzuki 90 running Maryland Eastern Shore rivers. Water temp has been 45-46.5. I’ve been thinking of an inflatable vest. Think I’ll get one Friday.
I have been wearing the kill switch lanyard. A first for me. Like the first time I wore a harness in a deer stand, it feels good. I understand it’s the law now for smaller boats, like my Action Craft. Going to make it a habit.
Also, fwiw, for every boat I’ve owned, I’ve gone over the side with a buddy or two on board to try to figure out the best way to climb back on board without help. I’ll do that with this new-to-me boat when the water warms.
I have been wearing the kill switch lanyard. A first for me. Like the first time I wore a harness in a deer stand, it feels good. I understand it’s the law now for smaller boats, like my Action Craft. Going to make it a habit.
Also, fwiw, for every boat I’ve owned, I’ve gone over the side with a buddy or two on board to try to figure out the best way to climb back on board without help. I’ll do that with this new-to-me boat when the water warms.
The way I understand the life jacket law from the USCG, is that inflatable PFDs don't count towards your total life jackets on board unless they are being worn. Just something to keep in mind to prevent an avoidable ticket. Obviously the point of an inflatable PFD is that it can be worn comfortably while driving the boat, or while fishing.
Wearing a PFD when boating is common sense, but easily ignored. And not wearing one is not a problem until you need it. Its easy to think you’re safe and that nothing bad will happen. You‘ve been boating for years and nothing bad has happened. Then it does, and it can go real bad real fast. But until then you think its OK not to wear your PFD. The probability of needing your PFD is very low in average boating situations and people become lulled into a false feeling of being safe.
After a couple of decades of whitewater kayak paddling, it is second nature for me to wear my PFD. The probability of a bad swim is much much higher there and you never see anyone without full safety gear. A high level of self rescue ability is really important. You can’t help yourself or others while you are unable to stay afloat.
If you’re running the boat, you’re responsible for others on your boat. If you can’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of others. So wear your PFD.
After a couple of decades of whitewater kayak paddling, it is second nature for me to wear my PFD. The probability of a bad swim is much much higher there and you never see anyone without full safety gear. A high level of self rescue ability is really important. You can’t help yourself or others while you are unable to stay afloat.
If you’re running the boat, you’re responsible for others on your boat. If you can’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of others. So wear your PFD.
Correct.The way I understand the life jacket law from the USCG, is that inflatable PFDs don't count towards your total life jackets on board unless they are being worn. Just something to keep in mind to prevent an avoidable ticket. Obviously the point of an inflatable PFD is that it can be worn comfortably while driving the boat, or while fishing.
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