What do you guys use for PFD's in you dinghy?

[nuru05]

Carrying full size PFD's in a dinghy is a pain, they always seem to be in the way. What do you guys carry? I was considering buying a couple of these https://us.binnacle.com/product_info...ducts_id=14006

I figured they would provide a decent level of safety and would be nice to have when paddle boarding.

[Reeve21]

I carry four of those orange ones in a purpose made bag that fits under the dinghy seat. They stack up one on the top of the other and don’t really take up that much room since the seat is above them anyway. I don’t often venture to places where I might actually have to wear one, but when I do, I wear a proper PFD. The orange ones are just there in case I get stopped inspected.

[barnakiel]

I use either nothing (hot climes, close to boat) or a wetsuit or + neoprene water skiing vest.


Where I sail they do not stop you asking about your pfd so I am just driven by safety and comfort.


b.

[HopCar]

I’m sure we all know the smart thing would be to wear a pfd while in the dinghy. Of course I’m not actually smart enough to do that. Those inflatable belt packs look pretty good. I might actually wear one of those.

[John_Trusty]

Remember in the US, inflatable PFDs only count if they are on your body. You’ll also need a type 5 throwable. Depending on where you dinghy (Florida springs to mind) the local water cops are looking for revenue, so check the list (whistle, flares, registration card ...). Personally, we keep a couple of the cheapest orange Type 2 under the gunnels.

BTW, Why not update your public profile with a general location?

[Mike OReilly]

We use a couple of old kayak lifejackets.

[OldManMirage]

You only need a throwable if the boat is over 16 feet in the U.S.

[rslifkin]

We use the type III ski vest types in the dinghy. Quantity carried depends on how many of us will be in the dinghy that day. Normally we keep them tucked behind the aft bench seat, but if it's rough conditions or the water is cold we'll wear them.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by nuru05

Carrying full size PFD's in a dinghy is a pain, they always seem to be in the way. What do you guys carry? I was considering buying a couple of these https://us.binnacle.com/product_info...ducts_id=14006

I figured they would provide a decent level of safety and would be nice to have when paddle boarding.

I carried full size PFDs in my dinghy. I velcroid them to the underside of the seat board to out of the way.

Of course the best way to keep out of the way is to wear them :-)

[fxykty]

We’ve got a couple of old inflatable PFDs rolled up in a waterproof bag. We only ever wear them if the local jurisdiction requires them. Otherwise, they’re stored away.

[singlespeed]

Always keep the rattiest looking PFD's, with the Coast Guard approved tag, in the dinghy. Legal and less incentive for the dock thieves to steal, when there are better options available.

[Scubaseas]

Inflatable harness most times. I'm so used to wearing a harness/inflatable that I don't really notice it being on. But I keep a ratty old PFD on the dink but always have one for everyone on board for when you get stopped. Putting duct tape here and there on the PFD may make it a lot less attractive to thieves if that's an issue for you.

[Jammer]

My dinghy has a bow locker. I have a checklist for it, sunscreen, portable navigation lights, emergency paddle, electronic flare, registration paperwork, bug spray, etc. And one inexpensive PFD. The bow locker closes but does not latch, stuff stays out of sight but immediately accessible.

If I wear a PFD while in the dinghy, it's usually a vest-type inflatable.

As noted upthread, from a regulatory standpoint in the USA, inflatable PFDs typically do not satisfy the requirement to carry PFDs unless they are worn.

[Goodxcharly]

A non issue for myself. Just evaluate your situation. Should I wear a PFD or not. If not leave it in the main ship, more room and proceed with your choice.
I like kayak preservers.

[Jetx]

Originally Posted by John_Trusty

Remember in the US, inflatable PFDs only count if they are on your body.

This was true in the past, but I believe is no longer the case. From https://www.westmarine.com/west-advi...assifying_pfds ...

"The Coast Guard requires that automatic, water-activated inflatables that lack a single-point, arming status indicators that are readily visible have to be worn to be counted in the vessel’s inventory of life jackets. Inflatable life jacket models that do include a ready-status indicator (so-called "stowables") don’t have to be worn to be counted as inventory."