Life Vest

[JDFreud]

Hi all

Quick question, what brand and type of life vests are the most comfortable and capable for float tubing?

JD
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[road]

I carry and hope to never have to use a 20 dollar cabelas vest. But thats just me you may feel the need for something better. I do like the inflatable ones too. But I'm ti tight with my money to spend 80 smackers of a life vest. Heck my tube is a personl floatation device ... just ask me.
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[flygoddess]

I carry an old water skiing zip up.
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[Majja]

I just have a 20.00 sterns I keep in the back unless the conditions are bad or I am fishing for things like muskie than I just ware it, just not done up.
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[macfly55]

I thought Goddesses could walk on water.. []
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[idahopanfish]

Believe that was Jesus and Peter when asked Jesus, who walked on water.[angelic]
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[macfly55]

well so much for trying to make a joke on a slow day at work...
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[flygoddess]

I Gotcha Mac. Heck even my store bought "DIRTY PILLOWS" as Austin Powers calls them, don't keep me afloat![cool]
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[macfly55]

lol.. was just a passing thought.. but what worries me is ya'll keep saying carry with you .. or have in the back.. or not closed up.. me.. Id wear it.. I know how to swim but dont swim well .. and not know how waders etc would be on me.. life vest is on.. cinched up.. just in case this old butt falls in the water...:-)


MacFly [cool]
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[flygoddess]

And that is a good thing...for you. I feel too restricted with it on but I will wear it on rivers or on very choppy water.
Mine is right behind my seat ready to grab and slap on. You gotta realize, that if a tube or toon gets a leak, you do have time to get yourself together and there are usually at least two portions of either a tube or toon that hold air. Not like tipping a canoe or Kayak or a boat over. I would really have to try HARD to get my tube or toon to flip.
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[Majja]

Yea I second pretty much what FG said. In the rough water I do mine up. Since technically my tube as 4 air bladders there would be some time as well. In regards to the waders I always wear a belt, not to mention my excess girth acts like a water tight door to keep the water out...[]
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[macfly55]

sis.. I appreciate that tubes and toons take a bit to sink..are both very stable platforms and very hard to tip over under normal circumstance.....what I mean ME falling in the water.. as in leaning to far one way or the other.. or just being careless and ending up in the water.. lol.. not an equipment malfunction so much as a human malfunction... []

MacFly [cool]
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[macfly55]

I am guessing the belt you refer to is there to cinch the waders around your waist so that water cannot get in...or at the least not rush in....

MacFly
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[Majja]

Correct. first it has to get past my belly and than the belt. hehe
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[macfly55]

[sly][sly] sounds like you and I may have the same type of problem... and that, in my case, is why I fear I would do a weebble woobble and roll off the seat of the tube and into the water.. [sly][sly]

MacFly [cool]
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[road]

Or just take it to Deer Creek or Jordanelle any Sat. or Sun FG. Between the pwc and the boats they'll give ya a good amusment park ride. I bet that 23' cuddy that launched at rock cliff and then powered out of there would have flipped me over had I been close.
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[poky-mon]

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I thought Goddesses could walk on water.. [] [/reply]
She's bulls---ting you . I haven't taught her how to do it yet.
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[road]

Maja you have never taken a tumble in a pair of waders? Oh man you haven't lived yet. I use to do a lot of salmon fishing on the American River in Calif. Brrrr cold water and waders were a must. You would stand knee/thigh deep and cast into the current and try to intice one with row colored yarn and a few beads. In the mean time you had to balance yourself on the slime covered river rocks. Those who that say they never fell just LIE!

I remember foul hooking a 10 pound jack. I thought I had the mother of all salmon on. I snagged him in the dorsel fin and he headed down river like a frieght train. Being the smart angler that I am I set the hook again and planted my feet. The next thing I knew I was in 10 foot of water refusing to let go of my rod. Thought I was going to drown. Then my dads words poped into my head. "If you fall in wearing your waders son, dont panic. Let them fill with water then swim to shore." I did just that was able to get back to the shallows. Standing up was a whole different ball game. Yeah they weigh nothing in the water but plenty when you try to get out.

So if ya fall in don't panic let the waders fill and then head for shore. Since we all fish the still waters I haven't given that much of a thought. I think I will see if that holds true for the ultra lite waders. The waders I was using back then were the old Hodgeman rubber waders. Man am I dating myself. Neoprene had just hit the market and cost way more than a young father could afford.
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[macfly55]

...heheheh did not realize that you were a fly goddess as well.. [sly]

MacFly [cool]
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[Saberfish]

[black][size 3]Hey JDFreud,[/size][/black]
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[size 3]Sorry that you didn't get many answers that were related to your question.[/size]
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[size 3]I would suggest that you go to a store that has several different types and brands and try them on for fit and freedom of movement.[/size]
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[size 3]They are made to different floatation classes, and some are equipped with mesh backs to allow body heat to escape. [/size]
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[size 3]To my way of thinking, buy the best possible. [/size]
[size 3]Remembering to keep in mind the question: What is my life worth?[/size]
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[size 3]Good luck in finding one that does the job for you.[/size]
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