I wondered if anyone has a recomendation for the " best" one? Although the boat isn't pushed hard I want to make a point of wearing these when we are out. I'm looking for best quality as well as most reliable and thin and comfortable if that exist?

mustang makes some nice ones. I have SRP race vests and Mustang autos for poker runs. The Mustangs are nice and compact but I like the safety of the SRP's. The smaller Mustangs just dont feel like they would stay on if ya took a hard spill, I'm sure their great but I dont think they were designed for high speed hits.

These are nice.
http://quaticapparel.com

I'm sure people are going to say that they have the best PFD out there, but let's face it, they don't really know. You can read and do your research, but you don't really know until you need it and hopefully it does what it's supposed to do. Let's hope we never have to find out

We have two mustang hydrostatic vest as rain,water spray and humidity kick off the other styles, hydrostatic vests have to be submerged in 4 inches of water before they activate, a little pricey but less hassle, get them from West Marine on sale for about $300 on sale, cooler to wear also

I was looking at the Mustang and it looks great. spending 1k for 3 of them is pricey but much better than the alternative. Thanks gents!

Mustang has a new one out that is very inexpensive, I think they are around $150 maybe a little more. I have two of the Older ones that like you say were $350 each, But I got 4 more of these http://www.mustangsurvival.com/recre...016?country=25 they are nice units. I got them for extras when we have guests on the boat. Now that I have them if I hadn't already owned the more costly ones I would just get these and not worry about. Good luck !!! and I hope you never need to use them once you get em

Mustang as all have said already.

I have had the Stearns, West Marine, and Mustang. Hands down Mustang is the best. They have held up beautiful, easy to recharge, and have a more secure feeling when on.

Mustang. Coast Guard uses them, must be OK. I have 2, seem to be good quality. I got the sailing harnesses with d rings, webbing is much thicker, figured it should take a high speed hit better than the standard one.