As sailors, we all know that stuff happens... and usually when you least expect it. Systems can fail, weather can turn nasty, or -- hopefully not -- you or one of your crew could fall overboard. Most sailors can point to at least one close call. What about you? When do you, or your crew, wear a PFD? Do you only don a PFD when the wind exceeds a certain speed? When the waves are breaking over the bow? Or only when you sail alone? Have you become one of those sailors who now wear a PFD whenever you sail? Should the wearing of PFDs become mandatory? If so, should it be age or experience related? What role should the state or federal government have in regulating this aspect of boating? Finally, what do you like or not like about the PFD type you have on board? Tell us about your experience with PFDs and then take the Quick quiz on the bottom of the home page. (Quiz by Warren Milberg)
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PFDs Most of the Time!
We make a practice to wear inflatableas w/harness on anything but a benign circle in light winds around the Bay. In heavier air, I encourage everyone to clip on the harness when in the cockpit and jacklines are used when wind is approaching 20 knots. PFDs are great but secondary to staying on the vessel. When singlehanding, I stay clipped to one of four attachment points in the cockpit, period. (All lines are led to the cockpit.) Fortunately, partly as a result of these procedures, we have never experienced a MOB situation. Jon
We make a practice to wear inflatableas w/harness on anything but a benign circle in light winds around the Bay. In heavier air, I encourage everyone to clip on the harness when in the cockpit and jacklines are used when wind is approaching 20 knots. PFDs are great but secondary to staying on the vessel. When singlehanding, I stay clipped to one of four attachment points in the cockpit, period. (All lines are led to the cockpit.) Fortunately, partly as a result of these procedures, we have never experienced a MOB situation. Jon
PDF's
We usually always have them on even if its fairly calm. It would't take much to wind up overboard. Often times we have guests with us and if I was the one overboard I don't know if I could tread water until they got the boat turned around and back to me. If some don't want to wear them thats fine until the wind picks up. I don't have a set windspeed but just go by feel. We practice a MOB drill almost everytime we go out but haven't had to use it yet. Rob Morton S/V Euphoria
We usually always have them on even if its fairly calm. It would't take much to wind up overboard. Often times we have guests with us and if I was the one overboard I don't know if I could tread water until they got the boat turned around and back to me. If some don't want to wear them thats fine until the wind picks up. I don't have a set windspeed but just go by feel. We practice a MOB drill almost everytime we go out but haven't had to use it yet. Rob Morton S/V Euphoria
kids
My kids put their PFD's on before walking onto the launch dock and take them off just before getting back into the truck. I haven't sailed in any winds yet that made me want to put mine on, but I'm looking at getting a comfortable one for constant use to set the example for my kids and guests.
My kids put their PFD's on before walking onto the launch dock and take them off just before getting back into the truck. I haven't sailed in any winds yet that made me want to put mine on, but I'm looking at getting a comfortable one for constant use to set the example for my kids and guests.
Not enough options
I wear my inflatable harness when sailing alone, when weather and/or sea conditions warrant it, offshore, and any other time I have a doubt about being able to get back to the boat or back to shore under my own power. My grandchildren wear a PFD; PERIOD!!!(Sometimes even on the dock.) I don't see any unhappy faces in the attached picture. In fact, the kid on the left was very happy about having the PFD on when he decided to go for a swim while we were hove to and he couldn't get back to the boat. It seems that the boat was making about half a knot of headway and the swimmer was in a current going the opposite direction. Since it was already in the water, I used the dinghy to tow him back to the boat. Even on my little 29,000 acre inland lake PFD use can save lives. Should PFD use be manditory? I don't think so. You can't legislate good sense. Should safe boater courses be manditory? Absolutely!
I wear my inflatable harness when sailing alone, when weather and/or sea conditions warrant it, offshore, and any other time I have a doubt about being able to get back to the boat or back to shore under my own power. My grandchildren wear a PFD; PERIOD!!!(Sometimes even on the dock.) I don't see any unhappy faces in the attached picture. In fact, the kid on the left was very happy about having the PFD on when he decided to go for a swim while we were hove to and he couldn't get back to the boat. It seems that the boat was making about half a knot of headway and the swimmer was in a current going the opposite direction. Since it was already in the water, I used the dinghy to tow him back to the boat. Even on my little 29,000 acre inland lake PFD use can save lives. Should PFD use be manditory? I don't think so. You can't legislate good sense. Should safe boater courses be manditory? Absolutely!
When double reefed .....
I only wear a PFD when double reefed (or above) or at night when single reefed or more. Harnesses AND type I Pfds go on when triple reefed ---or anytime when the decks are vulnerable of being swept by green water. But when there is a confused sea state .... I may put on a PFD in any condition. I sail a big boat that has comfortable motion in large seas. If I sailed a lightweight 'coastal' boat Id probably wear one more often ..... all depends on 'motion' of the boat.
I only wear a PFD when double reefed (or above) or at night when single reefed or more. Harnesses AND type I Pfds go on when triple reefed ---or anytime when the decks are vulnerable of being swept by green water. But when there is a confused sea state .... I may put on a PFD in any condition. I sail a big boat that has comfortable motion in large seas. If I sailed a lightweight 'coastal' boat Id probably wear one more often ..... all depends on 'motion' of the boat.
All the time
I have an auto-inflate pfd that I wear whenever I am on board. Usually, I am the only one on the boat who really knows how to sail. I think it is prudent to wear one given that if I go overboard, its likely that I'll be in the drink for awhile. I also singlehand quite a bit, and wear my pfd then as well. The pfd is quite comfortable and at this point I don't even realize I'm wearing it. I never make my adult guests wear pfd's, although I do bring them out and show them where they are and how to put them on. If conditions got rough, I would suggest that they don them. For kids, the law requires that they wear pfd's, and mine do.
I have an auto-inflate pfd that I wear whenever I am on board. Usually, I am the only one on the boat who really knows how to sail. I think it is prudent to wear one given that if I go overboard, its likely that I'll be in the drink for awhile. I also singlehand quite a bit, and wear my pfd then as well. The pfd is quite comfortable and at this point I don't even realize I'm wearing it. I never make my adult guests wear pfd's, although I do bring them out and show them where they are and how to put them on. If conditions got rough, I would suggest that they don them. For kids, the law requires that they wear pfd's, and mine do.
Whenever there is ocean on one side of the boat
Whenever we venture out of the bay and I see open ocean, it quickly reminds me to put it on. If I see land on all sides, I know I should, but I don't , wear the inflatable PFD.
Whenever we venture out of the bay and I see open ocean, it quickly reminds me to put it on. If I see land on all sides, I know I should, but I don't , wear the inflatable PFD.
All the time on deck under way
That's the rule for all crew on Lady Lillie. We have a number of inflatable PFD's to keep people cool in the summer heat. The possibility of injury when going overboard means that you can't count on swimming to stay afloat. And going overboard is not just associated with heavy weather, and certainly not with the distance from shore. The rule for single handing is a harness and tether at all times on deck. Actually, this applies any time there is only one skipper capable of the MOB drill on board. These are sensible rules that don't interfere at all with our freedom of movement, or enjoyment of sailing on deck. David Lady Lillie
That's the rule for all crew on Lady Lillie. We have a number of inflatable PFD's to keep people cool in the summer heat. The possibility of injury when going overboard means that you can't count on swimming to stay afloat. And going overboard is not just associated with heavy weather, and certainly not with the distance from shore. The rule for single handing is a harness and tether at all times on deck. Actually, this applies any time there is only one skipper capable of the MOB drill on board. These are sensible rules that don't interfere at all with our freedom of movement, or enjoyment of sailing on deck. David Lady Lillie
PFDs
I now wear an inflatable waist pack PFD every time I sail the boat. I think that other sailors who only wear PFDs when the weather is bad or are offshore, etc., are kidding themselves about how "stuff" happens on boats. Most of my close calls have been in tame weather and near shore. Most of the time I was alone. If I had fallen into the drink at those times, I doubt I would have been able to get back aboard....
I now wear an inflatable waist pack PFD every time I sail the boat. I think that other sailors who only wear PFDs when the weather is bad or are offshore, etc., are kidding themselves about how "stuff" happens on boats. Most of my close calls have been in tame weather and near shore. Most of the time I was alone. If I had fallen into the drink at those times, I doubt I would have been able to get back aboard....
Used to feel stupid
I used to feel stupid because we always wore our PFDs for the time we untied the boat, to the time we tied back up. A few years back we fished a motorboater out of the bay who was out alone and not wearing a PFD. It showed me how vulnerable you are without one. Idon't feel stupid anymore.
I used to feel stupid because we always wore our PFDs for the time we untied the boat, to the time we tied back up. A few years back we fished a motorboater out of the bay who was out alone and not wearing a PFD. It showed me how vulnerable you are without one. Idon't feel stupid anymore.
Why did you leave "always" off the survey?
I don't understand why you left "always" off the survey choices. It's an important choice and it would be interesting to know how many people say they practice it. If we've learned anything in this politicized environment in the country right now, it's that you don't manipulate poll results with stacked questions...at least if you're honest about finding out what people really do and why...
I don't understand why you left "always" off the survey choices. It's an important choice and it would be interesting to know how many people say they practice it. If we've learned anything in this politicized environment in the country right now, it's that you don't manipulate poll results with stacked questions...at least if you're honest about finding out what people really do and why...
Always
Hi. In England under Royal Yachting Association Guidelines it is mandatory. You never can tell, if the wind shifts during a Jibe... Well... Better safe than dead. Nick
Hi. In England under Royal Yachting Association Guidelines it is mandatory. You never can tell, if the wind shifts during a Jibe... Well... Better safe than dead. Nick
QUIZ CHANGE: added 'always' option
No conspiracy theory guys, but neither Warren nor I thought there would be such a large contingent of you! Fortunately, it's early enough to start over so if you are an 'always' kind of sailor be sure to go back and vote again!
No conspiracy theory guys, but neither Warren nor I thought there would be such a large contingent of you! Fortunately, it's early enough to start over so if you are an 'always' kind of sailor be sure to go back and vote again!
I would but......
I think it is a good idea to wear a PFD all the time, but here in Texas you would melt. It gets so hot that falling overboard sometimes becomes an attractive alternative to roasting alive. I do wear it whenever I leave the cockpit and also in heavy weather. Since our boat is of the larger type the chances of falling out of the cockpit are slim.......
I think it is a good idea to wear a PFD all the time, but here in Texas you would melt. It gets so hot that falling overboard sometimes becomes an attractive alternative to roasting alive. I do wear it whenever I leave the cockpit and also in heavy weather. Since our boat is of the larger type the chances of falling out of the cockpit are slim.......
Okay, Mea Culpa, only had it on once in last
year. And that was when I saw a fast moving fog bank with high winds approaching, running for harbor & it hit while we were still 5 miles out. As conditions quickly deteriorated wife asked if she should put one on and I replied "not a bad idea, and toss me one too." Been shopping flotation jackets & new inflatables for months thinking I'd wear one more often. I've finally decided on some new Inflatables with harness & vow to order them this afternoon. I also aspire to wear it, maybe not "always" but at least sometimes. As a retired government employee the less they try to govern me the better I like it, at this point in life I'd rather make my own decisions. BTW I do make a point of getting a safety inspection every year but my personal requirements far exceed theirs.
year. And that was when I saw a fast moving fog bank with high winds approaching, running for harbor & it hit while we were still 5 miles out. As conditions quickly deteriorated wife asked if she should put one on and I replied "not a bad idea, and toss me one too." Been shopping flotation jackets & new inflatables for months thinking I'd wear one more often. I've finally decided on some new Inflatables with harness & vow to order them this afternoon. I also aspire to wear it, maybe not "always" but at least sometimes. As a retired government employee the less they try to govern me the better I like it, at this point in life I'd rather make my own decisions. BTW I do make a point of getting a safety inspection every year but my personal requirements far exceed theirs.
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