ORIGINAL: Cold

ORIGINAL: TastyTrout

Who here has actually tried to swim with a PFD?  I agree that it will help you float in the cold water.  However, I would consider myself a good swimmer and I've tried to swim a distance (not even really that far) for a bet in warm water and it was a huge pain.  It did more harm than good.  So yes it will keep you afloat so your body will be recovered but you stand a better chance actually getting out of the water without one on.

Unless you're knocked unconscious.

If you are well enough to swim after an accident, you're probably well enough to remove the PFD in the water prior to swimming.

 
Then what would it be used for if you're going to remove it when you start swimming?  Our bodies aren't rocks so we aren't going to sink as soon as we hit the water.  So by your theory you're saying hit the water and then you can take it off to move around freely.  What would be the point then? 
 
I think most of us are on the same page that by no means should this be a requirment. It should be left to the individual angler what their comfort level is.
 
Funniest part is the topic of 3 rods really hasn't come up all that much like the thread originator probably intended.  For the record I'm all for 3 rods.

[has anyone tried registering for Dr. Trout's forum? He seems very knowleable and passionate about the sport and I love reading his fishing blog. I haven't got accepted yet. Wonder if he's on vacation maybe?

I agree it is a smart idea to wear one in cold weather or at all times if you aren't a good swimmer but I also agree that it should be MY choice and not mandated. I fish cold weather quite often (air temps <30F and I know the risks.

I feel the same way about seat belts and helmets. I ALWAYS wear my seatbelt and make sure anyone in my family that is in the car with me wears one but for others, it should be their choice and not mandated.

If I can't find a very reasonable manual inflation PFD model, I may turn into a rule breaker myself if this passes (or I can use it as an excuse to the wide to buy a slightly bigger boat!).

This is going to come down to a matter of choice whether it passes or not... if it passes, you have the choice to wear or not wear and take a chance on a fine and fight it through the court system on the basis of personal freedom... that is up to you.
I have to wonder if some impetus behind it is situations where folks have drowned in boating accidents and then family sue the state or army corp of engineers over it. The fact is that life jackets do save many lives and by having the law in place the state basically can say they aren't responsible if someone drowns when they are in direct violation of a law regarding safety.
As far as the 'problems' with them interfering in swimming... they aren't designed to be used when swimming in a normal fashion. If you need to 'swim' with one on, then stay on your back and do a backstroke type swimming, they will work.
If you are knocked out of a boat suddenly you may briefly loose consciousness or simply be very disoriented when you hit the water. A life jacket can buy you time to recover your senses. 'Buying time' becomes a huge factor for them when the water is cold, which is the time frame this law specifically targets.
If you are caught in underwater currents and are disoriented as to which way is up the life jacket can act as a 'bobber', they float and will find their way to the surface even when you can't. (such as near dams or large boulders causing 'hydros')
Personal preferences because they are hot or uncomfortable are just that, personal preferences. I don't agree with 'big brother' forcing things on folks. But if/when they make a choice to use or not use then the individual should be responsible for the outcome, up to and including financial responsibilities as already posted by others.

and for the record, I am hoping for the '3 rod' rule myself...

I would hope a 16.5 would be legal.

Id imagine psu. But we should be terrified for our own safety and wear one regarless of whether we are in a kayak or taking a cruise on an ocean liner. I hear a couple of people have fallen overboard through the years on those as well.

Heyiknowyou, hope your realize that my last post was being sarcastic. lol.

Heck even most women i know arent "skeered" about getting onto a boat without 75 pounds of safety gear, a waterproof 911 phone, and a safety light/beacon complete with 200 decible siren, and an extremely long tether cord reaching to the shore like apparently a few guys are, including someone at pfbc i guess. lol.

ORIGINAL: wayne c

I want to know how many of you actually go fishing from November 1 to April 30th.

I do. Not so much over winter, but spring, yes.

well time to a buy 16' or bigger.

Better go to 17, the proposal includes 16.

"A proposal to require mandatory life jacket use during the cold weather months from November 1 through April 30 for anyone operating a canoe, kayak or motorboat 16 feet or less, including when boats are anchored;

I have nearly as much chance falling out of bed or in the shower and breaking my neck as i do falling off of my boat and drowning. Dont care the consequences in the least, because it aint happenin'.

 
 
 
 
I'd try to find me a boat that measured 16' 1" just so the WCO would have to bust out a tape measure

just checked my registration and my canoe is a 15'...i dont think adding anything will make it longer than a "15' canoe"...it was a good idea tho

And your boat length is on your registration..

Had a buddy get busted at Woodcock for not wearing.

In 16" letters down the side of the boat were the company decals, both sides.

"Lowe 16 Foot Backtroller"

He assumed he had a 16' boat and never checked.

When the wardens made him get out his registration and checked it they found it was registered as a 15' 11" boat.

Man was he poed.....

16' 15" LOL

I once cought a 4 lb 19 oz bass out of my 16' 15" boat.

I sometimes fish with just my dog.  i believe last year a fella fell off the back of his boat when fishing alone and drowned, the net was missing. there was speculation he was netting a fish and fell overboard. the boat kept going. imagine that, treading water and watching your kicker driving your boat away. he probably thought he would never fall off his boat also.  if he had a vest on he would still be alive.
 
it can be tough to get back into a boat with help. try doing it alone or in cold water.
 
this bill probably has  to do with  the safety and costs of rescue personel recovering drowned boaters more than it has to do with protecting boaters.
 
the self inflating vests are pretty comfortable. after awhile you forget they are on. 
 
1000.00 sonar
1500.00 in down riggers
2000.00 spoons and cranks
150.00 for a vest that will save your life and keep your family from suffering the trauma of your death seems pretty reasonable.
 
 
and yea i want to be able to use 3 rods

Where does all this leave ice fisherman?  If the law is focuses on life jackets in cold weather while in a device meant to keep you afloat (boat/canoe), how will this impact people who are ice fishing in really cold water and walking on what is in fact frozen water with no boat/canoe seperating you from the water?  I can't imagine sitting in a small ice hut and trying to add in one of these "comfortable" life jackets.
 
I also found some interesting info about survival times in different water temps.  If the bill passes it seems that it wouldn't be to increase efforts to save people before they die, just simply to cover the costs.

ORIGINAL: wayne c

he probably thought he would never fall off his boat also. if he had a vest on he would still be alive.

Dont really care what he thought. Dont mean to sound uncaring, but that situation had nothing to do with me or a bazillion other boaters in the state. And its pretty condescending for a few anal thinkers who apparently are in positions that carry weight, to think they need to save all of us from ourselves by trying to force us to comply with their paranoia.

Also im sure as heck not stupid enough to fall out of a boat netting a fish, thats why i have a nice large long handled one...and i wouldnt keep the kicker running if i were even using one . Its not "something that can happen to anyone" regardless of what some ultra-paranoid folks might think.

The odds of any somewhat physically able, sober adult with an ounce of common sense, who can swim, and on a decently stable craft, 1st, not only falling overboard, but falling overboard AND not being able to get back on board, at least hold on to boat till others come by, or in some cases make it to shore... Is ASTRONOMICAL.

Not gonna argume the topic further, just hoping this asnine b.s. is given the consideration its due, then voted down.

 
astronomical or not it happened last year.