My lifejacket dilemma

[ONE-A-DAY]

Over the years I have seen boat wrecks, read about them, etc., and then the story of last night unfolds and I have to reflect on my own lack of safety diligence.

Typically most wrecks are not initially fatal, rather, the victims are knocked unconscious with non life threatening injuries, but then drown without life jackets on.

I own lifelines for my wife and I and always have them with us in the boat. But I always start my day on the water without planning on running 100 plus. But then it always seems to happen, cruising home, 50 mph, gorge is empty, music thumping, loving life, when another boat comes up along side. Me and the other guy exchange some sort of vibe conversation, I know what he is thinking and he knows what I am thinking. I then turn and look at my wife, who is a speed junky herself, and little help in this situation. She makes the hand motion to throttle up an then it's on. Moments later we are running 100 plus, doing my best to display more testosterone then he is. The guy in the other boat doing the same thing.

Problem is, we are still sitting there in our bathing suits.

I guess I am a hypocrite on this subject, do as I say but not as I do.

I need to get my shit together and adhere to my own preaching, and my wife and I need to get on the same page.

Within seconds at 100 plus things can change resulting in tragedy.

I don't feel that life jackets should be mandatory, but if you are going to run at high speeds you have to make some decisions.

I think I have seen the light, next weekend I am turning over a new leaf. 60 mph max without jackets on.

I am sorry that last nights tragedy had to happen, and listening to it unfold on the scanner was gut wrenching. I kept thinking to myself what would happen if we crashed and I was ok but could not find my wife. I am making a change.

 

[HEY YOU]

Your not the only one like that.

 

[mjc]

I don't know about Lifelines all the time but am thinking about the ones that blow up when they hit the water. They are not for protecting you like the lifeline does but will definetly keep you floating if you get flipped out.

 

[Just Ducky]

I know alot of people do the same thing.When i had my flatty I did the same,someone pulls up and wants to run and it's on without a thought.I got tossed once at about 50 mph and I tell you it knocks the shit out of you,I couldn't Imagine what 100 would be like.More folks need to wake up and protect them selves,don't run that hard just to prove how fast you are without jackets.At least you'll be floating if shit goes sideways.Feel real bad about those folks,sad deal for sure.

 

[lakemadness]

I hear ya. It seems when ever you go out for speed runs you get prepared with lifejackets, awareness and caution. Rarely something bad happens, no close calls. IMO it's just like you said, when your cruising and decide to lay into the throttle. Jackets are not on, you're not as prepared and boom something happens. It's when you least expect. All the close call I've had going fast happen in that situation. Never had a close call or a holy shit moment wearing the life jacket and being prepared. Also most of the time you passengers never realize the danger, it's your job to keep em safe. You have a good idea.

Stay safe.

 

[wash11]

Over the years I have seen boat wrecks, read about them, etc., and then the story of last night unfolds and I have to reflect on my own lack of safety diligence.

Typically most wrecks are not initially fatal, rather, the victims are knocked unconscious with non life threatening injuries, but then drown without life jackets on.

I own lifelines for my wife and I and always have them with us in the boat. But I always start my day on the water without planning on running 100 plus. But then it always seems to happen, cruising home, 50 mph, gorge is empty, music thumping, loving life, when another boat comes up along side. Me and the other guy exchange some sort of vibe conversation, I know what he is thinking and he knows what I am thinking. I then turn and look at my wife, who is a speed junky herself, and little help in this situation. She makes the hand motion to throttle up an then it's on. Moments later we are running 100 plus, doing my best to display more testosterone then he is. The guy in the other boat doing the same thing.

Problem is, we are still sitting there in our bathing suits.

I guess I am a hypocrite on this subject, do as I say but not as I do.

I need to get my shit together and adhere to my own preaching, and my wife and I need to get on the same page.

Within seconds at 100 plus things can change resulting in tragedy.

I don't feel that life jackets should be mandatory, but if you are going to run at high speeds you have to make some decisions.

I think I have seen the light, next weekend I am turning over a new leaf. 60 mph max without jackets on.

I am sorry that last nights tragedy had to happen, and listening to it unfold on the scanner was gut wrenching. I kept thinking to myself what would happen if we crashed and I was ok but could not find my wife. I am making a change.

You still got my spare handy for next weekend?

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

You still got my spare handy for next weekend?

Nope, I got one of those orange Walmart ones for you brotha

 

[RogerThat99]

I am thinking about the ones that blow up when they hit the water. They are not for protecting you like the lifeline does but will definetly keep you floating if you get flipped out.

I have worn those and I don't know how well they would stay on if you got tossed at 100mph+. Does anyone have any info on that?

 

[plaster dave]

Anyone know of any hook-ups on the lifelines or best place to buy them?

Teague

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

Anyone know of any hook-ups on the lifelines or best place to buy them?

We went to lifeline factory in Parker, custom made, color matched to your boat, names embroidered, etc., doesn't cost any more than some of the dealers who stock the generic versions of them. If you can't get down there they can tell you all of the measurements to take, and then pick the colors from their website and they will ship to you.

Very nice people.

 

[squirtnmyload]

I have worn those and I don't know how well they would stay on if you got tossed at 100mph+. Does anyone have any info on that?

they are designed to. especially when one uses the leg straps. just remember they are not coast guard certified.

so for you guys that are going to start wearing lifelines for high speed runs are you going to consider wearing balistic shorts also?

like most of us i'm sure, i've been tossed off a tube at maybe 40 and i couldn't even imagine getting tossed out of a boat at or near 100.

 

[RogerThat99]

they are designed to. especially when one uses the leg straps. just remember they are not coast guard certified.

so for you guys that are going to start wearing lifelines for high speed runs are you going to consider wearing balistic shorts also?

like most of us i'm sure, i've been tossed off a tube at maybe 40 and i couldn't even imagine getting tossed out of a boat at or near 100.

I was talking about the Lifeline inflatables not a regular lifeline jacket. The inflatables are just a roll that goes around your neck and down your chest with a couple of straps to hold it on.

 

[77charger]

When i drove my flats on the lake i always put the lifeline chute jacket on,Sometimes even had my helmet on.

Reason was you dont know what to expect. if my helmet wasnt on then i knew no matter what it wasnt going to be a full pass or above 100 mph.

As far as my lake boat it only does 60 on a good day.

IMO at speeds over 100 the only thing a good lifejacket is going to do is help rescue find your body easier.Especially in a bigger boat

 

[parkerpowersports]

lifeline is here in parker, i dont know if they sell direct though.. i think the life jacket issue is a direct relation to how daring we want to be, if you dont think about putting it on before you throttle up then thats how much you are willing to risk. id rather die in a 100+mph boat crash than getting old and having to have someone wipe my ass.. but at the same time you have to take into consideration the people lives that are in your hands.. just my pennies

 

[77charger]

Anyone know of any hook-ups on the lifelines or best place to buy them?

There really aint a hook up on them they know hi speed drivers need them and they dont really knock the price down.I asked years ago before ibought one for dragboat racing the answer i got was basically they are one of the only ones who sell them so they dont give any big discounts.

I saw the owner(cant remember name )and his son kent at event and if i needed something small or cheap they always helped out is all i will say.Their service was very good and always friendly.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

Thanks so very much.:thumbsup

Once you meet or talk with them it's a pretty convincing argument for buying them. I originally thought they were overpriced jet ski jackets for ballers only. After meeting with the owner and him explaining the technology that goes into them, it's a pretty easy sale. The fit is custom so they feel great and don't ride up when sitting down.

 

[POWERCATDON]

Try , Mike at rex Marine. He hooked me up. Name Color the whole deal.

 

[JBS]

Tom it is best to go straight to life line in Parker Don't go through a dealer

I have a couple vests there now having some changes made


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Flat Broke]

Dito the recommendation to go direct. Easy folks to deal with, and they make a quality product. If you're a bigger guy, I've got a non chute jacket with extra ballistic impact protection that is too big for me now that I'm selling. Used 1x and in perfect condition. After hearing what JBS said about having work done on his, I may see how much it would cost to have mine taken in, but if a buyer comes along, I'll likely just sell mine and get a new one when I have the need(an alpha and small block doesn't exactly require that level of protection )

 

[bripar77]

36 Skater and since the first day with it everybody wears a lifeline every ride. I have 6 Lifelines in the boat. You are so correct when you say I don't plan on over 50 but then a few seconds of throttle and your doing a 100.
Also Lanyards always worn by me and most times the front passenger as well. It is just not a big deal to wear a Lifeline (the lighter model) even when it is over 100 degrees. Stop once and take them off and jump in to cool off. I worry about something breaking while hauling ass. I have Foot throttles and hand throtttles which helps when something breaks or quits (at Desert Storm threw a blade at 120 MPH) and have all transom plates nuts and bolts Magna Fluxed and or replaced every other season. Tres Martin drove my boat during my class and he spent serious time inspecting the transom assemblies and throttle linkage before he would even put it in the water and I watched him do the same with a couple of V Hulls as well. Kind of teaches you that we should do the same thing every morning before a ride.

 

[skav]

Teague

I'll be in there today. I'll check on pricing.

 

[cave]

Are you guys going to were a helmet too? 8lbs blunt force is all it takes to kill one. So your going to were a jacket so the divers don't need to search for your body?

Watching the off shore series and seeing the pilots that are under a cockpit wear a helmet, life jacket, ballistic pants seat restraints and there averaging 70 to 90 on the ocean and seeing the comments in here makes me wonder.

Just wondering not flaming. Its your life. Your friends lives.

Next question, do any of you that own these big cats know how to inspect the items bripar77 says Tres Martin inspects before taking one of these pyles out?

Again just wondering. I don't have all that stuff going on behind my pyle but I always wonder when I see big cats hauling arse with all the people in them. Did they check their running gear? I don't mean have a shop give it a once over, Do you personally know what to look for?

 

[GRADS2009]

Not to toot my own horn but I've been wearing a lifeline everytime my boat gets on plane for the last 6 years. It has almost become like a seatbelt to me.

I've even had some people question as to why I do it when you are going over 100 m.p.h. if I'm going to die from the impact anyway?... My response is I'm saving the tax payers money by not having to send out a diveteam looking for me because at least I'll be floating....dead maybe but floating.

 

[scarabrick]

we wear a landyard every time.. Also, test it every time we start the motor..
Now the Hallett is not the fastest(mid 70's) but teaching safety to the 4 kids is first.
We have 2 life lines and a bunch of others and wear them a lot.(.not much when we are going slow with the kids(max 40). however the drive has Duel hyd steering and full hyd to the helm single engine deep v..

However, I have a "Johnson racing jacket" when I ran in the ocean(Navy 38 larry smith scarab with 3 outboards(johnsons)) and it has a big padded collar and two straps that goes between your legs. Plus a zipper and two 2" straps with buckles.. Jacket is nice and tight and built well..

I always get on my bro about the landyard.. teach safety !!!!!

 

[Froggystyle]

they are designed to. especially when one uses the leg straps. just remember they are not coast guard certified.

Not accurate... they are CG certified, but you need to be wearing it. Meaning, it can't be in the bilge of the boat like one of your orange horse collars and count as a life jacket for 1 per person purposes...

 

[WET-N-WILD LIGHTNING]

Try , Mike at rex Marine. He hooked me up. Name Color the whole deal.

On another site he said he will give 5% off


My wife has been on me from day one of getting our new boat that we should be wearing life vests. She always tells me that they can't find us if we're not floating. Well I think she is right and it is time to be a responsible boater and make my family start wearing them anytime we are under way because if something happens you don't have time to dig them out and put them on. My family is my world and it would kill me if I was to lose one of them because we didn't wear a life vest that we already bought and have on the boat. I really think we should all start using them because this lastest accident proves that it can happen to even very experienced people with very nice equipment. May they rest in piece And I always use a lanyard

 

[JBS]

Not accurate... they are CG certified, but you need to be wearing it. Meaning, it can't be in the bilge of the boat like one of your orange horse collars and count as a life jacket for 1 per person purposes...

He is talking about the Life Lines. Not the Class5 inflatables

 

[STV_Keith]

With a boat like yours, get a Lifeline jacket for everyone. Make sure it's comfortable so there is no excuse NOT to wear it. Yeah, it covers up the breasteses for the ride, but the safety increase is immeasureable if you need it. The high performance pleasure jacket is nice, comfortable and will do the job if the need arises.

In my STV, I don't get on plane without it on, ever.

 

[Rexone]

We are a Lifeline distributor and our everyday price is 5% off Lifeline's price on the base jacket (does not include extras like embroidery etc). There is no drama in ordering, all options are available, your jacket ships direct from LL to you. Please contact Brian if you have interest 909-592-1000. Jackets normally take 1-2 weeks to ship depending on what it is.

Most recreational boaters will use the poker run jacket or #160 jacket. It is easy to fit with minimal measurements.

The next step up is the #170 comp vest. It is the same as the 160 with addition of impact material and wider straps. It is also legal in most racing assn's where the 160 isn't.

We can assist with anything from 160's to non-chute (the old race jackets) and chute jackets for racing.

 

[K25DAYTONA]

Over the years I have seen boat wrecks, read about them, etc., and then the story of last night unfolds and I have to reflect on my own lack of safety diligence.

Typically most wrecks are not initially fatal, rather, the victims are knocked unconscious with non life threatening injuries, but then drown without life jackets on.

I own lifelines for my wife and I and always have them with us in the boat. But I always start my day on the water without planning on running 100 plus. But then it always seems to happen, cruising home, 50 mph, gorge is empty, music thumping, loving life, when another boat comes up along side. Me and the other guy exchange some sort of vibe conversation, I know what he is thinking and he knows what I am thinking. I then turn and look at my wife, who is a speed junky herself, and little help in this situation. She makes the hand motion to throttle up an then it's on. Moments later we are running 100 plus, doing my best to display more testosterone then he is. The guy in the other boat doing the same thing.

Problem is, we are still sitting there in our bathing suits.

I guess I am a hypocrite on this subject, do as I say but not as I do.

I need to get my shit together and adhere to my own preaching, and my wife and I need to get on the same page.

Within seconds at 100 plus things can change resulting in tragedy.

I don't feel that life jackets should be mandatory, but if you are going to run at high speeds you have to make some decisions.

I think I have seen the light, next weekend I am turning over a new leaf. 60 mph max without jackets on.

I am sorry that last nights tragedy had to happen, and listening to it unfold on the scanner was gut wrenching. I kept thinking to myself what would happen if we crashed and I was ok but could not find my wife. I am making a change.

I am with you on this one. Great call.