Originally Posted by Wicked Temptation

We get "The Look" when we are out with our PFD's on. Doesn't matter to us. I've been thrown into the water before both with and without floatation. Here's something for everyone to try just to make a point that will stay with you. Jump into the water without a PFD and then have someone throw one in to you. Now try to put that thing on in the water. You'll find it is next to impossible to get on correctly. Now, take it a step further. Imagine you've just been pitched from the boat at speed. Chances are you are badly hurt at best - ribs broke, head injury, generally barely conscious if you are lucky. Now try and image trying to get that PFD on. It's going to be impossible.

The kill lanyard is another thought provoker. When we first purchased our boat, I wore the lanyard. Problem was that the place it was located caused the cords to tangle in the steering wheel. NOT GOOD! I thought about it and went down to Home Depot and purchased a couple of items - some velcro straps and a steel D ring. I sewed the D ring onto the velcro strap and snapped the lanyard clips into the D ring. As soon as we are about to be above wake speed, I loop the velcro strap around my ankle and secure it. This keeps the lanyard cords out the way of the wheel but still provides the kill capability. Simple fix and much safer. Oh yeah, don't forget to check and make sure those lanyards actually KILL the engines.

My wife is EXTREMELY easy on the eyes (just check the avitar). Her bikini's aways cause second looks by most everyone. Still, she is just as A--L as I am about PFD's. Sure, it detracts from the "view". But there's plenty of time for that once we stop somewhere. Besides - at 60mph or more you can't see a whole lot anyway.

Originally Posted by Ron P

You might also consider carrying a spare clip.

Should the driver go out, and the passenger remained, the passenger would have no way to restart until the driver got back in. If the driver was hurt in the water, a restart would really help.