>Good idea on the extra clothing Steve. I always have an
>extra set in my boat also during cold water times. A very
>good friend of mine got to use the stowed away coveralls a
>number of years back when we were fishing and he fell out of
>the boat into 40 degree water here. I am sure he appreciated
>those coveralls.
>
>I have another good friend that had a very bad experience with
>the inflatable life vests. He was in a night tourney a couple
>of years ago and was thrown out of his boat (he was alone)
>while running to his first spot after blastoff. The vest did
>not inflate...it had a bad gas cartridge. He is not a very
>good swimmer and as he told me he was going down for the last
>time when a couple of guys in another boat pulled him from the
>water. Luckily they had been following his boat and saw it
>veer off and stop in the middle of the lake in front of them
>and they decided to make sure he was ok.

This brings two really good ideas to light... one always carry an extra PFD, because if you do go overboard, or have an accidental inflation, you still are legal and can continue to fish.

Second, If you are familiar with the inflatables, you have read the owner's manuel, then you know how to test the cartridge to ensure it is still good.

The right thing is usually not the easy thing.

James