Getting photos of your boat in Speedonthewater.com and ***************.com stories is as easy as wearing your PFD, https://speedonthewater.com/a-fresh-...fds-no-photos/

Encouraging PFD use if great. What would be a suggested vest for club activities?

A standard USCG approved PFD is fine for anyone jumping off their dock.
Hitting the water at speeds in excess of say 75 mph is different.

Inflatables caution “not to be used for PWC or high impact activities such as water skiing”

Another challenge for Skippers is the many different body types & sizes of club member and guests
that may ride on your boat. Having a sufficient supply requires some forethought and guesswork on sizing.

I carry Kent First Responder Vests on board, but my first mate considers them “tight” in the chest region,
and the orange color often clashes with outfit choice, lol!

I like it, good for you Matt.


My analytical mind has me thinking, I wonder what percentage of your posted photos from 2025 had PFD’s versus didn’t.

edit: Happy New Year!!

all valid points. maybe we need a good comparison and review of makes and styles of PFD's and who uses what and why. there is no way to keep on board one for every body type out there so what is the best for your passengers and spares for new guests.

I tried—really hard—not to use pics in which people weren't wearing PFDs but I am sure I failed a few times. Maybe more than a a few. The good news? The photos in which people are wearing them have become a lot easier to find. People are getting smarter.

I totally agree with this call Matt. Lifeline will build you custom a custom jacket to coordinate with pretty much any swimsuit and boat out there. Gals need to understand that this is not part of the "fashion show"-its real, and if after you attend a funeral that could have been prevented it becomes very clear.

Joe

A picture from a helicopter of Art McMahons 388 at Lanier with a vest floating in the cockpit of the boat while they were searching for one or two people hits hard. I’ll never forget that.

If it saves one life, just one, its worth it!

Where Personal Flotation Device usage was known, 87% of the people that drowned were not wearing a Personal Floatation Device. That's the newest facts from 2024.
Boat safety starts well before one steps on a boat. Initially captains and crew will placate to the camera. Who knows what will happen when the event is over or the camera is off. Maybe it'll trigger a safety mindset in wearing a PFD.

http://safeboatingcampaign.com/get-the-facts/

I'm sure this will get people all fired up, like trying to pick what truck brand is best....But I'll go against the apparent grain here and ask it....what's the purpose of this?

100% understand why private clubs and organizers support this for their own agendas but a publication? How does this affect you?

Will Harley mags not show pics of riders without helmets?
Hotrod mags not show pics of drivers without seatbelts?
Performance car mags not drive cars to unsafe speeds?

First, where's the line drawn?
and second, why is it a publications duty to set what they (you) feel are safe practices?

You not going to cover shootouts and offshore racing now because of the inherent risk of death (even with vests on)?

I just don't get the motivation except it feels a bit like virtue signaling and a bit controlly. But you're bat, your ball. You do you.